Clinical Simulation in Modern Teaching and Training of Sonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Abstract Advances in computer technology, hardware and software have made ultrasound a diagnostic imaging technique of choice in certain areas of medicine or specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology. In teaching and training of obs/gyne ultrasonography, medical educators can utilize different forms of clinical simulators: traditional standardized patients and standard ultrasound diagnostic equipment, computer-based simulators, ultrasound simulators or ultrasound simulators with manikins. The popularity of a simulator is determined not only by its features, ease of use and cost, but also by its available learning modules and applications. Technology in ultrasound and computers are rapidly advancing in enhancing the quality and miniaturizing ultrasound machines. Portable and handheld ultrasound equipments are quickly becoming indispensable diagnostic instruments in different health care settings especially the emergency rooms and physician offices. Concerns, however, remain related to the lack of competence of health care providers in using and interpreting results of ultrasound studies, and the needs to standardize the training in ultrasonography. It is important to have access to one or more ultrasound simulators; however, it is even more important to establish and integrate fundamental structure of training ultrasonography into the main training curriculum of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate medical education.