Leeds medical students to get state-of-the-art ultrasound training during university in UK first

Students at the University of Leeds will be the first in the UK to be given ultrasound training during the full five years of their medical degrees.
Dr Asoka Weerasinghe demonstrating the VScan handheld ultrasound unit on Rick Miles, from GE Healthcare. Picture by James Hardisty.Dr Asoka Weerasinghe demonstrating the VScan handheld ultrasound unit on Rick Miles, from GE Healthcare. Picture by James Hardisty.
Dr Asoka Weerasinghe demonstrating the VScan handheld ultrasound unit on Rick Miles, from GE Healthcare. Picture by James Hardisty.

Undergraduate medical students are set to learn how to use state-of-the-art VScan ultrasound equipment that is the size of a mobile phone.

In clinical medicine, ultrasound is increasingly being used as a diagnostic aid. Its applications range from anaesthetics and emergency medicine, to rheumatology, palliative care and general practice.

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Dr Richard Wakefield, lecturer in rheumatology, said: “This early introduction of ultrasound will enhance current anatomy teaching, improve clinical skills teaching and teach core skills that will be essential for practice as a foundation year doctor and beyond. It will also improve patient satisfaction and safety.

“In line with several medical schools in the USA who have already taken this step, Leeds hopes to be a lead innovator in the use of ultrasound in medical education in the UK.”

Visit leeds.ac.uk for further information.