Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of course delivery methods on examination grades and student perceptions in a sonography course. Materials and Methods: The participant included all sonography students (n = 103), enrolled at a Midwestern university, during the academic years (AY) of 2010–2021. A retrospective, convergent mixed-methods design was used to collect and analyze data, related to the course delivery method. Results: The highest overall mean examination score and course satisfaction rating resulted from the blended learning format and the lowest mean examination scores and course satisfaction resulted from the flipped learning format. Conclusion: Health professions students are a diverse group of learners. Pedagogical practices should include course design and delivery methods which educate all learners. Courses that balance both face-to-face learning with opportunities for self-directed learning improve student satisfaction which could lead to improved student outcomes and provide the foundation for students to become competent health care professionals.

Objective: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to gather benchmark data on curricular content related to imaging of transgender patients. In addition, the intent was to explore program directors' opinions on the need to include this content in the curriculum. Material and Methods: An online survey was emailed to all directors (n = 982) of accredited imaging programs in the United States. Results: In total, 331 (34%) program directors participated in the survey. Fifty-six percent currently do not include this content in their curriculum and 67% reported no discussion of adding the material. There was a modest and significant positive correlation between the program directors' perceived level of knowledge, regarding imaging transgender patients, and their perceived importance of including this material in the curriculum (r= 0.370;P< .001). Positive (55%), negative (7%), and neutral themes (38%) emerged from the qualitative data analysis. Conclusion: These findings were consistent with literature regarding a lack of curriculum specific to transgender patients. Program directors recognized the need to include this content, although barriers exist related to readiness to implement, limited faculty knowledge with the material, and lack of educational resources. Program directors are seeking strategies and resources to guide the integration of this material into the curriculum.

Objective: The practice of mindfulness has many reported benefits. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the effect of a three-minute, instructor-led Mindful Pause Practice (MPP) in the sonography classroom over a two-semester period. Methods: Participants were students enrolled in programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs from four universities. Instructors provided MPP, and then students completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Results: A statistically significant increase in mindfulness as was seen from pre- to poststudy (3.3 vs. 3.9, P < .001). The majority of students described the MPP as a positive experience (>70%) and reported improved classroom attention and awareness (>78%). Qualitative themes of stress reduction/relaxation, improved focus/attention, and self-care were noted each semester. Self-directed MPP outside the classroom was low but did improve over time. Conclusion: The addition of a short MPP to sonography classes has positive benefits and improves student mindfulness. These findings support current literature on classroom mindfulness and add information specific to sonography education.

Sonography programs continuously explore and evaluate methods to improve quality. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the use of open-book examinations (OBEs) in an accredited sonography program. Participants included sonography students enrolled in an academic health sciences center who used an OBE format in two ultrasound physics courses. OBE mean examination scores were compared to students who used a closed-book examination (CBE) format. No statistically significant difference was seen in mean examination scores between the OBE and CBE cohorts with the exception of Spring Examination 1 (P = .0026). All OBE students (n = 17) participated in focus groups. Qualitative analysis showed examination preparation and text usage changed over time. Seventy percent of OBE students reported reduced examination tension and stress. OBEs do not have a significant effect on examination grades, and examination anxiety and stress are reported to be reduced. The OBE cohort noted a preference of OBEs over CBEs.

Background & Purpose: Distance education (DE) is a means to meet allied health workforce needs in rural locations where healthcare worker shortages are apparent. Five allied health programs were expanded to a rural campus teaching synchronously using distance education technology. The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods study was to explore perceptions of allied health students and faculty at two campus locations. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative information were collected through a survey of students and faculty (physical therapy, physician assistant, and medical imaging [diagnostic medical sonography, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging] programs). Both campuses served as live and distance sites depending on instructor location and area of content expertise. For example, morning courses may be taught live from one campus, and afternoon classes taught live from the other campus. Only one program, physical therapy, offered labs by distance education. Response distributions were compared for questions by campus using Cochran-Armitage trend tests and analyzed de-identified qualitative comments using constant comparisons to establish themes. Results: Student (n=121) and faculty (n=19) mostly agreed distance education technology was effective for teaching and learning. Significant differences were found in student opinions about receiving a similar educational experience between the two campuses. More students at the Main campus somewhat or strongly disagreed (n=34, 37%) it was similar compared to the Rural campus (n= 5, 17%, p=0.024). There were no comments specifically related to the physical therapy lab experience. Open-ended comment themes included training, purposeful engagement of both campus locations, and setting clear expectations. Conclusions: Although differences in learning experiences exist between the main and rural campus locations; the results indicated using distance education technology is an effective means to deliver the curriculum. Both students and faculty commented about the lack of experience with the educational technology before implementation. Synchronous, distance education offers the opportunity for program expansion and effective delivery of curriculum content. Using the results of this study can enhance future education in allied health professions using synchronous distance education technology.

This paper presents the implementation and findings of a pilot activity evaluating an educational activity which involved students from Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) and Medical Nutrition Education (MNE) programs within a College of Allied Health Professions. The activity was implemented in three parts: First, the students worked independently on library modules using a case-based scenario to focus on the use of library resources and evaluation of fetal growth. Second, a hands-on activity focused on assessing fetal growth, and the final component was group education session on nutrition during pregnancy. The student learning objectives for this activity included: 1). Develop student appreciation for the benefits of interprofessional teamwork, 2). Demonstrate an understanding of the assessment of fetal growth, and 3). Demonstrate an understanding of nutrients requirements during pregnancy. Learner outcomes were measured using pre- and post-tests of case study-related and evidence-based search skills-related knowledge, observation during the activity, and a post-activity survey and debriefing. Post-test scores showed a statistically significant increase from the pre-test scores, and the students qualitatively expressed an increased understanding of the roles of each respective discipline. The apparent success of an IPE activity involving DMS and MNE students highlights the fact that successful IPE activities can be created for students whose professional roles may not have obvious clinical overlap.

Dysgerminomas are rare ovarian malignancies that primarily affect young women and can occur during pregnancy. Clinically, these tumors present with lower quadrant pain and adnexal mass, and laboratory values may include elevated beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). These symptoms, along with the sonographic findings of a large, solid lobulated adnexal mass in young women, strongly suggest an ovarian dysgerminoma in the differential diagnosis. The majority of these tumors will be diagnosed at Stage IA and will respond well to fertility-sparing surgery. This case report demonstrates both the clinical and sonographic findings unique to this rare type of ovarian malignancy.

Fournier’s gangrene is a rare type of necrotizing fasciitis specific to the superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissues of the external genitalia, perineum, perirectal, and ischiorectal regions. It is usually diagnosed clinically, and imaging is used to support the diagnosis, assess the extent of the necrosis, and aid in surgical planning. Computed tomography (CT) is the primary imaging modality to diagnose Fournier’s gangrene, usually after symptoms are severe. Sonography may be used to diagnose early stages of this disease and to differentiate it from intrascrotal pathology or benign cellulitis. A case of Fournier’s gangrene is presented that discusses sonographic findings of Fournier’s gangrene and the disease process.

Dysgerminomas are rare ovarian malignancies that primarily affect young women and can occur during pregnancy. Clinically, these tumors present with lower quadrant pain and adnexal mass, and laboratory values may include elevated beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). These symptoms, along with the sonographic findings of a large, solid lobulated adnexal mass in young women, strongly suggest an ovarian dysgerminoma in the differential diagnosis. The majority of these tumors will be diagnosed at Stage IA and will respond well to fertility-sparing surgery. This case report demonstrates both the clinical and sonographic findings unique to this rare type of ovarian malignancy.

Classroom examinations and a passing score on a sonography certification examination are means to assess a student's retention of material presented during didactic education and further studying. Typically, however, clinical competencies are graded based on actual observation of scanning skills and the ability to identify specific organs and associated abnormalities. We are reporting an analysis of the data collected from students' completed abdominal competency evaluations over the past four years to determine what organ was the easiest to learn to scan, what organ was the most difficult to learn to scan, and in what organ(s) was pathology most often recognized or missed.

Page kidney refers to the development of secondary hypertension due to compression of the kidney by an external source, most commonly a subcapsular hematoma. Compression of the renal parenchyma results in hypoperfusion and microvascular ischemia leading to activation of the renin-angiotensin system and elevation of blood pressure. Until the last decade, Page kidney was primarily diagnosed in young men with unexplained hypertension and a history of sports-related trauma and imaging studies demonstrating a subcapsular hematoma. Treatment varies from conservative, medical management to a nephrectomy, depending on how the patient's blood pressure responds to treatment.

Page kidney refers to the development of secondary hypertension due to compression of the kidney by an external source, most commonly a subcapsular hematoma. Compression of the renal parenchyma results in hypoperfusion and microvascular ischemia leading to activation of the renin-angiotensin system and elevation of blood pressure. Until the last decade, Page kidney was primarily diagnosed in young men with unexplained hypertension and a history of sports-related trauma and imaging studies demonstrating a subcapsular hematoma. Treatment varies from conservative, medical management to a nephrectomy, depending on how the patient’s blood pressure responds to treatment.

Raine syndrome is a lethal, osteosclerotic bone dysplasia. There is a generalized increase in bone density, but the increased ossification in the skull results in a unique “fish-like” appearance to the face. Specific characteristics include a prominent forehead, exophthalmos, midfacial hypoplasia with hypoplastic nose, triangular-shaped mouth, and gum hyperplasia. Fewer than 20 cases have been reported in the literature with survival times varying from minutes to weeks. A retrospective review of the sonographic findings in the presented case documents the unique facial phenotype associated with this rare syndrome.

Infantile hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is an uncommon tumor that arises from Zimmermann pericytes. It occurs before 12 months of age and may be present at birth, so intrauterine detection by sonography is possible. These solid, vascular neoplasms typically occur in the subcutaneous tissues of the head and neck and follow a benign course. Diagnosis of infantile HPC must be made by histology, and surgical resection is the most common method of treatment.

An intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is an effective and widely accepted method of contraception. Although complications are uncommon, an IUCD can perforate the uterus, causing serious side effects. Sonography is often the first imaging modality used when uterine perforation is clinically suspected.