Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO185

Handheld Ultrasound Devices May Lead to a Transformation of Physical Diagnosis Practices in Much the Same Way as Laënnec’s 1816 Invention of the Stethoscope

Session Information

• Educational Research
  October 27, 2018 | Location: Exhibit Hall, San Diego Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Educational Research

• 800 Educational Research

Authors

• Al-Rabadi, Laith, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Laith Al-Rabadi,

• Ockerse, Patrick, University of Utah Hospital , Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Patrick Ockerse,

• Cotton, Jennifer, University of Utah Hospital , Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Jennifer Cotton,

• Fix, Megan, University of Utah Hospital , Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Megan Fix,

• Fair, James, University of Utah Hospital , Salt Lake, Utah, United States

James Fair,

• Marashly, Qussay, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Qussay Marashly,

• Aldulaimi, Ragheed, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Ragheed Aldulaimi,

• Abraham, Josephine, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Josephine Abraham,

• Richards, Boyd, University Of Utah, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Boyd Richards,

• Hall, Isaac E., University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Isaac E. Hall,

Background

Ultrasonography is a fundamental tool for assessing kidney dysfunction and volume status in multiple settings. As new handheld devices connected to small US probes have become available, it is now more practical for students to accurately and rapidly perform kidney and volume assessments themselves at the bedside. The lack of formal kidney US training during medical school and frequent clinical difficulties in determining volume status in settings of acute kidney injury (AKI) lead to trainee incompetence with regard to kidney imaging and AKI evaluation and management. Thus, our aim was to determine whether handheld US technology helps trainees learn significant and practical nephrology content.

Methods

For this IRB-approved project, we measured the usefulness of handheld US among medical students. We taught basic skills for focused US examination in hospitalized settings of AKI to exclude hydronephrosis, determine kidney size and echogenicity, and assess volume status by visualizing the inferior vena cava. These interactive, educational sessions were incorporated into the University of Utah “Transition to Internship” clerkship for 4^th-year medical students. Introductory and interactive modules described basic US physics and additional concepts to acquire and interpret kidney sonograms. Teaching sessions were then followed by an 8-hour hands-on workshop. After participating, students were given surveys consisting of questions with five-point Likert scales.

Results

Out of the 64 students that filled out survey responses, 98% indicated that the curriculum enhanced their medical education, made them feel competent to perform handheld US, and that the handheld US technique was helpful for volume assessment. All responding students indicated that handheld US improved their understanding of 3D renal anatomy. Ninety-six percent of students wanted more US incorporated into the medical curriculum.

Conclusion

Handheld US was very well-received as a valuable teaching tool among 4^th-year medical students. Students were able to demonstrate proper US technique and focused interpretation with regard to kidney and volume status assessment, and nearly all indicated that the experience enhanced their education.