Summary
This journal article reports on a needs assessment conducted to evaluate how physician assistant (PA) program curricula and clinical training impact students’ ultrasound knowledge, skills, and competence, as well as their readiness to perform ultrasound techniques in clinical practice. The study involved graduating PA students who completed a questionnaire and an ultrasound knowledge assessment.
The results showed that the students had limited hands-on ultrasound training, with the most training occurring during emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and inpatient internal medicine rotations. This lack of preparedness was reflected in a low mean score of 47.1% on the ultrasound knowledge assessment. Furthermore, a significant majority of students (84.2%) felt that the ultrasound instruction they received during clinical rotations was insufficient to prepare them for clinical practice. Additionally, the same percentage of students expressed a desire for a formal ultrasound training program to be included in the PA program curriculum.
In conclusion, the study found that existing PA program curricula are inadequate in developing the necessary skills and knowledge related to ultrasonography among students, highlighting the need for improved ultrasound training within these programs.
