• Brion Benninger, Rebecca Corbett, and Taylor Delamarter.
• Department of Medical Anatomic Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, Lebanon OR 97355, USA. bbenninger@westernu.edu
• J Ultrasound Med. 2013 Apr 1;32(4):659-64.

ObjectivesThe exposure to ultrasound technology in medicine is increasing at multiple training levels. Ultrasound transducers have evolved to provide higher-resolution imaging for more accurate structural identification, with few improvements in ease of use. This study investigated a novel finger ultrasound transducer used by first-year medical students conducting structural identification and practicing an invasive procedure.MethodsA literature search was conducted on texts, specialty journals, and websites regarding the anatomy of internal jugular and subclavian vein central line placement with sonographic guidance and the use of a finger transducer. First-year medical students performed timed sonographically guided cannulation on the internal jugular and subclavian veins on a phantom torso and identified the internal jugular and subclavian veins on a healthy volunteer using the finger transducer and a conventional transducer. After exposure to both transducers, a survey was taken regarding transducer preference.ResultsThe literature search revealed no studies comparing finger and classic transducers or sonographically guided central line techniques being conducted by first-year medical students. The students identified and cannulated the internal jugular and subclavian veins using both transducers. Survey results revealed that 70% of the students preferred the finger transducer.ConclusionsThis study showed that first-year medical students could interpret sonographic anatomy while conducting a clinical procedure. The finger transducer proved successful in structure identification and was preferred to the classic transducer because of its combined tactile presence. This pilot study of a novel finger transducer showed the benefits of combining palpatory skills with ultrasound technology in teaching first-year medical students to perform invasive procedures.

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