MHB students as tutors at EUROSON congress

Neuruppin, 24 September 2018

Poznan (Poland) hosted this year’s EUROSON congress from 6 to 9 September 2018.

More than 1,000 participants, among them students, physicians and instructors, attended the meeting of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). The event gave MHB medical students Benedikt Seckinger, Adrian Gahleitner, David Boten and Gregor Barth the opportunity to pass on the knowledge and skills acquired in ultrasound tutor training to other attending students.

The MHB team organized two workshops supervised by Dieter Nürnberg, MHB professor of gastroenterology. Each student gave an introductory lecture on the theoretical background for primarily Polish students, followed by practical training in small groups.

Adrian Gahleitner (8th semester) on the advantages of the Vscan Extend, a hand-held ultrasound device used in the workshops: “It is the size of a mobile phone and fits into any lab coat pocket. Its size and intuitive operation make it ideal for workshops of this type. We used several of them, which facilitated training in very small groups and an adequate response to each participant’s individual progress.” Medical student David Boten adds: “We were given free reign. Prof. Nürnberg was in charge of organization and supervision and always available for questions in the preparation of the workshops.”

Summing up their impressions, the students were grateful to Prof. Nürnberg for his valuable input in making the event a success: “We have received very positive feedback. Experience gained in the MHB ultrasound tutor team was excellent theoretical and practical preparation. The congress offered ample opportunity for exchange with students from other countries who reported from ultrasound instruction at their home universities. It was notable that most students had only limited experience in the practical application of ultrasound as a method of clinical examination. This is probably due to other medical schools’ stronger focus on theoretical instruction and less on practical training. The MHB ultrasound curriculum from the 3rd semester up to graduation acquaints students with the ultrasound device in theory and practical application, and they learn how to increasingly employ it in teaching and learning. The concept of conveying knowledge and practical skills via additional module-related tutorials has proved its worth, and feedback from fellow students is always positive. Upon graduation, each of us will have acquired solid basic skills to safely handle the echoscope in clinical practice.” The students gave explicit thanks for received instruction to the team of the BIKUS (Brandenburg Institute of Clinical Ultrasound).

Prof. Nürnberg confirmed the successful outcome and said he hoped that members of the MHB ultrasound tutor team will attend future international conferences and symposia.