Principal Investigators: Stacy Dawkins, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health and Human Sciences; Eryn Morrow, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health and Human Sciences; Shannon Cooper, Instructional Design Manager, Department of Family Medicine, IU School of Medicine; James G. Wilcox, Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine, Clerkship Director, Department of Family Medicine, IU School of Medicine; Rebecca Rebman, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health and Human Sciences
Project Title: Ultrasound Playground: Creating a Dedicated Educational and Clinical Ultrasound Curriculum for Physician Assistant Students to Acquire Ultrasound Skills for Clinical Practice
Funding Level: $5000
Abstract: Clinical bedside ultrasound revolutionized the approach of medical providers to acute and non-acute patient situations, decreasing the time to diagnosis of disease, improving patient comfort, reducing radiation exposure, and decreasing costs; however, most physician assistant programs are unsuccessful implementing ultrasound training due to the lack of ultrasound availability, dedicated curriculum, and trained faculty. Our proposal includes collaborating with the IU Family Medicine Residency Program to create an interactive online educational and practical clinical ultrasound curriculum for physician assistant students to utilize during clinical rotations and clinical practice including basic ultrasound technique, anatomy, physiology and pathology identification, Focused Assessment of Sonography in Trauma (FAST exam), and insertion of peripheral and central lines with ultrasound. After completing the online module, or educational ultrasound curriculum, physician assistant students will participate in two active learning sessions with practicing physicians and physician assistants to enhance instruction and solidify online curriculum exercises (clinical ultrasound curriculum). With access to an online curriculum, all learners have equal opportunity for practical ultrasound education. We believe educational and clinical ultrasound training will not only benefit future patient care, but also improve physician assistant student confidence to excel during clinical rotations, to perform clinical exam skills, and to comprehend ultrasound technology and interpretation.
