Presented By: Lindsey Claus, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Co-Authors: Ali Aijaz, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Tyler Capen, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Brett Cassidy, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Michelle Cheng, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Harika Dabbara, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Deniz Goodman, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Matthew Kang, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Jessica Landau-Taylor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Martin Liberman, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Minali Prasad, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Luke Scheuer, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Kitt Shaffer, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Justin Wang, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Jonathan Wisco, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Maxwell Ye, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Purpose 
Recent developments in ultrasound (US) imaging have led to its increased use in both clinical and educational settings. At Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, US has been incorporated into multiple educational experiences for preclinical medical students since Fall 2021, providing the opportunity to explore how varying modes of preclinical US education impact students' professional identity formation and career planning.

Methods 
From Fall 2021 to Fall 2023, preclinical medical students participated in extracurricular ultrasound educational experiences through a hands-on practicum, a virtual US simulator application, a femoral triangle US simulator model, and self-guided US practice sessions. Participant feedback from subjective survey responses and focus group responses from each of these experiences was collated (n = 79), and grounded theory thematic analysis was performed to identify relevant themes. Research subjects participated in an average of two of the available four experiences.

Results 
Overall, participants in each US experience reported increased confidence with performing future clinical tasks. Across the various experiences, student responses about its effect on their future career planning were divided into two primary sentiments: 1) Students with a strong specialty-specific future plan expressed an increase in enthusiasm for future procedural opportunities within that specialty, and 2) Students with an undecided future career interest reported either an increased interest in procedural specialties or a more focused future interest in radiology or interventional radiology. While sessions included faculty and resident instructors from various departments including radiology, emergency medicine, and internal medicine, the plurality of student-reported specialty-specific interest was focused on radiology and its subspecialties.

Conclusions 
Preclinical extracurricular US educational experiences varying from self-guided learning to simulated clinical procedures provide significant opportunities for students to explore future career interests. Further work can elucidate the long-term effects on student career paths related to participation in these experiences early in medical training.