Optimising clinical ultrasound skills transfer in a resource-constrained teaching institution

Authors

  • Eucaria Yemukayi Mushosho HARARE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
  • Crispen Chamunyonga Queensland University of Technology

Keywords:

competence, role play, simulation, ultrasound training

Abstract

Background. Equipping students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes to engage in safe and competent ultrasound practice is important. Due to increasing numbers of students, limited training resources and busy clinical departments, it may be impossible to maintain effective clinical skills competence transfer to students. The use of simulation based learning, accompanied with student generated videos, are methods which could be used to assist in the transfer of clinical skills’ competence in ultrasound.

Objective. To develop teaching and learning approaches that optimise clinical ultrasound skills transfer in training vascular technology in a resource-constrained teaching institution.

Methods. A qualitative study was adopted. Three stages of teaching and learning were designed and implemented. The stages were: a face-to-face lecture followed by a clinical placement experience; a face-to-face lecture followed by viewing of a YouTube video; and a face-to-face lecture, and student generated videos of students performing Doppler ultrasound scans of the carotid and vertebral arteries on each other. A follow-up interview was conducted to identify students’ preferred method of skills competency transfer for the localisation of the carotid and vertebral arteries. 

Findings. The students indicated that skills acquisition was more effective in teaching and learning through the student generated videos while scanning each other. This improved student engagement and helped students to develop empathy for patients. A face-to-face lecture and clinical attachments were not preferred as students indicated challenges such as the pressure of work and failure to get patients with the examination they needed to practice. 

Conclusion. The study showed that practical ultrasound simulation and video recording is an effective way of training which could be adopted in a resource-constrained training institution where computer simulation is not available.

Author Biographies

Eucaria Yemukayi Mushosho, HARARE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

department of Radiography (chairperson and lecturer)

Crispen Chamunyonga, Queensland University of Technology

Medical Radiation Sciences (lecturer)

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Published

2020-05-24

Issue

Vol. 58 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Original Articles

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