Contributed by Jessica McCallum (VFMP 2016)
Dr. Dan Kim, faculty mentor for the Ultrasound Club, instructs students on proper ultrasound technique.
On January 24th, 2015 the UBC Ultrasound Club hosted its inaugural medical student ultrasound symposium at the MSAC. 61 VFMP students attended the 4-hour event, which taught students the basics of bedside ultrasound including ultrasound physics and abdominal, cardiac, pleural, and vascular imaging.
“There was huge interest in attending the symposium, with approximately 270 students expressing interest in attending at the VFMP alone. Similar workshops have happened at the IMP and NMP, with one planned at the SMP soon,” says Jessica McCallum, VFMP student and event organizer. “Participants at all sites…feel basic ultrasound, including a hands-on component, should be integrated into our MD undergraduate curriculum.”
Dr. Dan Kim, faculty mentor for the ultrasound club, describes how keen his students are to learn about ultrasounds and proper diagnostic techniques. “Whenever I have a medical student with me on an emergency shift, the one thing they consistently show the greatest interest in is point-of-care ultrasound,” he explains. “The level of enthusiasm and interest far exceeded my expectations.”
Dr. Andy Neitzel, another club faculty mentor, agrees. “Not since the advent of the stethoscope as a tool come along that has had such a significant impact on patient care. Medical ultrasound has become invaluable in clinical medicine. Fortunately, it is a skill that is easy to learn and extremely popular with trainees of all levels. I know many physicians who no longer carry a stethoscope, but now carry a pocket sized portable ultrasound machine.”
Ultrasound machines for the event were generously donated by GE, Sonosite, and CESEI and the event was sponsored by the Medical Undergraduate Society. Similar workshops are being planned at the IMP, SMP and NMP.