Integrated Ultrasound Curriculum
In 2017, the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine integrated ultrasound training into its program.
Ultrasound Training
Beginning in 2017, AZCOM initiated an integrated ultrasound training aspect to the preclinical, clinical, and postgraduate curriculum. This exciting curricular addition has been achieved through the inclusion of ultrasound into our first two years in the following courses:
- Anatomy: Students are introduced to ultrasound through eight clinically-based, hands-on workshops in which they scan each other with both standard and hand-held ultrasound devices
- Introduction to Clinical Medicine: This includes multiple rotations in which ultrasound is utilized including OB/Gyn, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Critical Care, and several other specialties.
- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Students participate in four clinically-based, hands-on workshops over its two-year preclinical curriculum.
- Physiology: There are two clinically-based, hands-on workshops during the fall and winter quarters. In addition to these courses, students can enroll in an ultrasound elective for more advanced training
Ultrasound Instruction
AZCOM maintains a high efficacy in ultrasound instruction through an ongoing inter professional faculty development program, that works with on campus faculty and community preceptors. The leaders of the faculty development program are our partner sonographers with several years of experience in the field, along with clinical faculty practicing in diverse specialties across the valley.
Additional Ultrasound Activities
Additional ultrasound activities for students include several student led workshops in the Ultrasound Club, our annual UltraFest event for regional schools, and training on simulators that provide experience with pathology and procedural training. Students are able to practice a variety of scanning modalities such as central line placement, focused assessment sonography in trauma (FAST), OB/GYN, nerve blocks, cardiac pathology, as well as point of care ultrasound (POCUS).
Overall, the AZCOM ultrasound integrated curriculum has been a very successful and exciting addition to our curriculum, and is the model for further growth into other MWU programs.
Ultrasounds Videos
Check out how our students have been using ultrasound technology at Midwestern University. Videos provided by Rainstorm Video & Film on Vimeo.