Implementing ultrasound sessions to highlight living anatomy for large medical student cohorts

There is an intrinsic link between radiology and anatomy and the importance of being able to convert knowledge from 3D structure to 2D image, and vice versa. Medical students must learn how to use anatomical knowledge to interpret radiological images, and with the increasing use of point-of-care ultrasound in clinical practice, the ability to interpret ultrasound scans is becoming more of a core skill for graduating doctors.

Several recent systematic reviews of the literature have been undertaken showing the benefits of incorporating ultrasound in anatomy teaching, including appreciation of the dynamic nature of living anatomy, better understanding of anatomical structure, and improved motivation to study. However, there is a lack of consensus in the way ultrasound teaching should be incorporated into undergraduate medical anatomy.

This article reflects on a pilot of integrating ultrasound into medical undergraduate anatomy teaching in the School of Anatomy at the University of Bristol. It shares the experience and how some of the challenges cited in the literature have been approached. To help others negotiate the challenges of implementing this valuable teaching experience, a ‘Six Step Model’ for developing a live ultrasound pilot for undergraduate medical anatomy is offered: Expertise, Education, Ethics, Environment, Equipment, Enlist.