gms | German Medical Science

Ultrasound is taking an increasing role in medicine, being inexpensive, safe, mobile and in many cases more sensitive than conventional imaging tools (X-ray, CT) [1], [2]. On the other hand, it is a very operator-dependent tool, therefore needing a large amount of standardized training and practice, which should start as early as possible.

In addition to regularly held and highly demanded Peer-to-Peer courses for abdominal sonography, FAST and basic echocardiography, a community of medical students is focussing on further developing ultrasound training for students, relaying on free open access medical education (FOAM) and cost-effective ways of creating training tools.

In the Kölner interprofessionelles Skillslab and Simulationszentrum (KISS), we developed a course focussing on ultrasound guided cannulation, relying on experiences made during the 1^st Bonn Sonography Spring School and literature research. Ultrasound guided cannulation is a skill used in many medical disciplines, students have a benefit regardless of their later specialty choice.

The course is focussing on discovering the basic handling and the navigation of the needle and ultrasound simultaneously, on an Agar-Agar based phantom. In addition, they have the opportunity to discover ultrasound guided PVC placement on each other, a skill that can be used in medical internships for patients with poor vein conditions.

At the International Skillslab Symposium 2023 in Cologne, we would like to present our experiences with the course, as well as share our “recipe” for our ultrasound phantom, in order to encourage other Skillslabs or Universities to follow the trend to more ultrasound education in medical school.