A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Medical Residents’ Attitudes Towards Interprofessional Learning and Stereotypes Following Sonography Student-Led Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training is growing across internal medicine graduate medical education, but lack of trained faculty is a barrier to many programs. Interprofessional education (IPE) may offer a solution but must overcome potential biases of trainees. Aim: To evaluate the impact of an interprofessional POCUS training on residents’ attitudes towards interprofessional learning and stereotypes. Setting: Midwestern health sciences university. Participants: Diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) students (n = 13) served as teachers for first-year internal medicine residents (IMR) (n = 49). Program Description: DMS students participated in a train-the-trainer session to learn teaching strategies via case-based simulation, then coached IMR to acquire images of the kidneys, bladder, and aorta on live models. Program Evaluation: Mixed-methods evaluation, including pre-/post-surveys and focus group interviews. The survey response rate was 100% (49/49 IMR). Composite survey scores evaluating residents’ attitudes towards IPE and stereotyping of sonographers improved significantly following the intervention. Qualitative analysis of focus group interviews yielded four themes: enhanced respect for other disciplines, implications for future practice, increased confidence of DMS students, and interest in future IPE opportunities. Discussion: Interprofessional POCUS education can improve residents’ perceptions towards IPE, increase their level of respect for sonographers, and motivate interest in future interprofessional collaboration.