title: Abdominal ultrasound and medical education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultrasound is a very versatile diagnostic modality that permits real-time visualization of multiple internal organs. It is of invaluable help for the physical examination of the patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess if ultrasound can be incorporated into medical education and if the students can perform a basic abdominal ultrasound examination without the necessity of a long period of training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve medical students were trained in basic abdominal ultrasound during a 15-h training program including a 5-h theoretical and practical course and supervised practice in 20 selected patients. Subsequently, we conducted an evaluation test that assessed the ability of students to obtain the ultrasound views and to detect various pathologies in five different patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The students were able to correctly identify the abdominal views more than 90% of the times. This percentage was only lower (80%) in the right subcostal view to locate the gallbladder. The accuracy or global efficiency of the ultrasound for the diagnosis of relevant pathological findings of the patients was greater than 90% (91.1% gallstones, abdominal aortic aneurysm 100%; splenomegaly 98.3%, ascites 100%; dilated inferior vena cava 100%; acute urinary retention 100%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ultrasound may be a feasible learning tool in medical education. Ultrasound can help students to improve the physical examination.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Parla, Madrid, España. Electronic address: ggcasasolaster@gmail.com.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: García de Casasola Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Parla, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres Macho
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Parla, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Casas Rojo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Parla, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cubo Romano
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Parla, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Antón Santos
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Villena Garrido
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diez Lobato
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013337:Students, Medical; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Ecografía; Educación médica en pregrado; Exploración física; Physical examination; Ultrasonography; Undergraduate medical education