Student Ultrasound Interest Group: A Novel Method of Introducing Ultrasound to Physician Assistant Students

This study describes a student ultrasound interest group (SUIG) in a resource-limited physician assistant (PA) program. The benefits of PA student attitudes and knowledge of ultrasound (US) are described.

Participation in the SUIG was voluntary. Didactics included free online access medical education (FOAMed) materials. Initial scanning sessions focused on the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) exam and were led by a faculty champion with limited US experience. A survey on attitudes and a basic US knowledge test were administered before and after the first session and again 2 months later.

Thirty-seven students (76% female, mean age 26.4) participated in the initial FAST scanning sessions. All participants agreed that the SUIG session was useful. There was a slight increase in confidence after SUIG sessions (1.27 vs 2.92 on a 5-point scale), and 94% reported increased motivation to seek out ultrasound opportunities on clinical rotations. The average score on the knowledge test increased from 37% to 90% after the scanning sessions; the average score waned over time to 80% after 2 months.

SUIGs are a valuable way to introduce US to PA students using limited resources. Even minimal exposure can increase PA student confidence and knowledge.