Using Real‐time Ultrasound Imaging to Enhance Students' Learning of Anatomical Knowledge in Physical Therapy Education

In the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, students complete an anatomy course where they are expected to learn proper identification of anatomical structures and develop didactic manual skills to properly palpate those structures. For many students, the connection between what they view in the cadaveric laboratory and surface anatomy can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to use real‐time ultrasound imaging (RTUI) technology to enable students to visualize real‐time anatomy for the accuracy of their palpation skills. Subjects consisted of two consecutive years of students in the first semester of a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program taking gross anatomy (n=91; n= 102). The fifteen‐week gross anatomy course consisted of a lecture, prosected cadaver and a separate surface anatomy laboratories. Students were allocated into a control or experimental group based on laboratory sections. The standard surface anatomy laboratory education (control) included visual demonstration of palpation technique for the collateral ligaments of the knee and ankle, followed by verbal feedback from instructors while students were practicing. The experimental group also received visual feedback utilizing a GE Healthcare LOQIQ‐S7 Ultrasound Imaging Machine during identification of knee ligaments, but not during the identification of ankle ligaments. Four weeks following the intervention, all students' palpation performances of the knee and ankle ligaments were assessed for time and accuracy. In addition, students completed a six‐question survey assessing their perceived confidence in their palpation skills. Comparison of traditional and technology enhanced learning both within subject (knee v. ankle ligaments) and between subjects (control v. experimental) was analyzed for effectiveness on student's skill acquisition and confidence. The use of RTUI during laboratory teaching improved students' learning and accuracy in palpation of knee ligaments. The implementation of an emerging technology (RTUI) with traditional ...