Point-of-Care Ultrasound as an active learning tool for medical students: a before-and-after quasi-experimental study.

Abstract

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become established as a cross-disciplinary competency in contemporary medical practice. However, its integration into undergraduate medical education remains heterogeneous and is limited by the availability of instructors, curricular time, and technical resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the educational impact of EcoEduca, a hybrid educational intervention based on clinical ultrasound, active learning, and pre/post-intervention assessment. Methods: A single-group quasi-experimental study with before-and-after assessment and a post-intervention cross-sectional survey was conducted. The intervention combined online educational materials, ultrasound cases, practice guides, hands-on ultrasound sessions, and a structured ultrasound interpretation test composed of 10 cases. Pre/post-intervention scores, self-reported adherence, perceived self-efficacy, and satisfaction were analyzed using 1-to-5 Likert scales. The primary analysis of pre/post-intervention change was performed in students with paired responses. Descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for related samples were used. Results: 27 medical students from years 3 to 6 completed the pre-intervention assessment and 29 completed the post-intervention assessment. The paired analysis included 22 students with linkable pre- and post-intervention assessments. Mean scores increased from 7.45/10 to 8.82/10, with a mean difference of 1.36 points (95% CI: 0.62–2.11; p=0.0019). Thirteen students improved their scores, eight showed no change, and one demonstrated a decrease. The post-intervention survey included 29 responses; 28 students (96.6%) reported completing the mandatory materials and 29 (100%) participated in more than five hands-on practice sessions. Mean global self-efficacy was 4.31/5, mean composite overall satisfaction was 4.78/5, and mean overall satisfaction specifically with EcoEduca was 4.93/5. Conclusions: EcoEduca was associated with improved performance in a structured ultrasound interpretation assessment, along with high adherence, satisfaction, and perceived self-efficacy. Given the single-group design and small sample size, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence of feasibility and potential educational benefit.