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Journal of Osteopathic Medicine November 2023 - Ultrasound-assisted bony landmark palpation in untrained palpators

OVERVIEW:

Medical students with no previous experience may find it difficult to identify and palpate bony landmarks while learning physical examination skills. In a study of 168 medical schools, 72.6% have indicated that they are utilizing ultrasound in their curriculum. Although the integration of ultrasound curriculum has become more widespread, the depth of instruction is inconsistent. Ultrasound is not commonly taught in conjunction with palpation of bony landmarks in osteopathic structural examination. The objective of this analysis was to identify whether utilizing ultrasound assistance in teaching palpation of specific thoracic vertebral bony landmarks would improve palpation accuracy in first-year medical students with no previous palpatory experience.

Authors: Jared W. Nichols, DO; Cindy Schmidt, PhD, MA; Dipika Raghuraman, MBS; D’Arcy Turner, MASc

OBJECTIVES:

 Explain how ultrasound can be used to assist learners with palpatory skills

 Describe how ultrasound is now used in preclinical education at colleges of osteopathic medicine

 Discuss how BMI can affect the teaching and learning of palpation and ultrasound

Expiration Date:  November 14, 2026

The AOA designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 AOA Category 1-B Credit. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.