Endocrine Abstracts

Background and Aims: The use of thyroid ultrasound is gaining in popularity at undergraduate level, this can help augment students understanding of both anatomy and endocrinology. We aimed to embed a weekly one hour thyroid ultrasound practical teaching session as part of the QUB (Queen’s University Belfast) 3 ^rd year medical student’s endocrine and diabetes rotation. Students completed a questionnaire on the effectiveness of the teaching.

Methods: Fifty consecutive third-year medical students completed a questionnaire (n = 15 questions) assessing various aspects of teaching effectiveness. Mean Likert scale scores ranging from 1 (very good) to 5 (very poor) were calculated for each of the questions to gauge perceptions of competence, relevance, and alignment of assessments with learning objectives. Thyroid ultrasound was performed using a GE Vscan Air wireless handheld ultrasound.

Results: Mean scores across the questionnaire ranged from 1.18 to 3.79, reflecting diverse perceptions among students. Notably, students initially reported low confidence levels in their clinical knowledge of thyroid ultrasound indications (mean score: 3.10) and in using the ultrasound machine (mean score: 3.79). However, following the session, the mean confidence level in using the ultrasound machine significantly improved to 1.96. Positive scores were noted for the clarity of learning objectives (mean score: 1.50) and opportunities for practice (mean score: 1.74). Instructor competence and approachability received relatively favourable scores (mean score: 1.65), and students felt they had sufficient opportunities to ask questions (mean score: 1.18). The course’s relevance to students’ future careers was also rated positively (mean score: 1.24).

Conclusion: This initial analysis provides valuable insights into thyroid ultrasound teaching effectiveness. The significant improvement in students’ confidence levels in using the ultrasound machine suggests the session was effective in enhancing practical skills. However, opportunities for further improvement exist, a longer session could allow for adequate assessment of students and subsequent feedback.