Language of transducer manipulation 2.0: continuing to codify terms for effective teaching

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Accurate communication is vital in ultrasound education, especially with the shift to virtual learning.
• Standardized terminology for ultrasound probe motions has been proposed but not widely adopted.
• Lack of consensus on probe motion terms complicates teaching and learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the adoption and variation of terminology for cardinal ultrasound probe motions within the wider ultrasound community.
• To identify challenges in ultrasound education stemming from inconsistent terminology.

Main Methods:

• A survey was electronically distributed to collect data on terminology used for six common ultrasound probe motions.
• Respondents provided demographic and training information alongside their descriptions of probe motions.
• Data were collected over six weeks from 418 unique respondents.

Main Results:

• Significant variation in terminology was observed for all six cardinal probe motions.
• Discipline of training influenced terminology, but inter-group variation persisted.
• 57.5% of respondents reported that inconsistent terminology made teaching ultrasound more difficult.

Conclusions:

• Current efforts to codify ultrasound probe motion terminology have not resulted in widespread consensus.
• This lack of standardized language presents challenges for both virtual and in-person ultrasound education.
• Further work is needed to establish universally accepted terms for probe motions.