Evaluation of a Self-Driven Large Animal Point of Care Ultrasound Learning Program for Veterinary Students

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has the potential to improve health care outcomes and is increasingly used in veterinary primary care and specialty practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate a self-driven POCUS learning program during clinical rotations in a large animal teaching hospital. A randomized controlled trial of 94 students evaluated the hypotheses that access to a self-driven POCUS program would improve scores on a written test and the quality of subjective, objective, assessment and plan (SOAP) documents. Use of the POCUS devices and perceptions of veterinary students toward POCUS were analyzed. The self-driven POCUS learning program was feasible, and the perception of most students (94%) was that the program was useful for their education. Access to equipment, ability to scan individually, the hands-on learning aspect, and clinicians' help were the most valued aspects of the program. Earlier access to POCUS in the curriculum, hands-on tutorials/labs, and a more structured learning program were identified by students as aspects to improve. Access to the self-driven POCUS program resulted in significantly higher scores on the written test in a subpopulation of students with lower scores. No significant differences in results on the multiple-choice tests in the subpopulation with higher scores or in SOAP scores of the complete group or subpopulations were found. A self-driven POCUS learning program was perceived as beneficial by students, increased POCUS knowledge in students with lower test scores, and was possible to implement in a busy large animal teaching hospital.