24 students from the northern region of Uganda took part in the most recent ultrasound training course at the ECUREI Training Centre at Mengo Hospital in Kampala from May 4 to May 15. This is the fifth Ultrasound Training module for these students from the batch 1 group of hospitals in Phase II of the ORET project.
During the course the students received lectures on:
- Advanced foetal anomalies
- Small parts ultrasound
- Ascites
- Doppler Ultrasound (Physics and applications of Doppler)
During the hands-on practical sessions the students were coached by the ECUREI teachers.
Wilma de Groot, supervising the training on behalf of Meduprof-S, delivered a number of hands-on demonstrations on Doppler Ultrasound.
Several hours were allocated to discussing local cases and report writing. This is of particular importance as the students are expected to write a report on thier findings for the clinician (if possible and depending on the findings during the ultrasound examination) when scanning patients in their own departments.
Hands-on computer skills was also part of the course.
The training course was concluded with a comprehensive written and practical examination. Exam results of all modules are available on the notice board at ECUREI so that students are aware of their progress.
All MeduProf-S training courses are completed with an evaluation session in order for improvements to be made for future courses, if necessary. During the evaluation of this course the students expressed their satisfaction about the set-up of the course and about the supervison and guidance by the ECUREI team.
The total number of ultrasound courses under ORET consists of 6 modules. The courses are conducted at ECUREI with the duration of each module being two weeks and taking place every two months over a period of one year. For each batch of equipment delivery, the students are selected and invited to receive their training at ECUREI. After successfully completing all of the examinations, the students will be awarded a “Diploma in Ultrasound”.
For the students attending this course, their last module will take place from June 22 to July 3. Module 6 consists of discussion and hands-on sessions only. Several examinations set by ECUREI, MeduProf-S and the Jefferson Institute in the United States are the final hurdle the students have to pass before recieving their Diploma in Ultrasound.