Students in the diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) program engage in simulation-based learning in the sonography simulation laboratory starting in the spring of their second year and continue throughout the curriculum. During these sessions, students collaborate with peers and use manikin simulators to practice scanning techniques and clinical skills. The laboratory environment offers a supportive space for students to develop and refine their abilities in abdominal, OB/GYN, breast, vascular and musculoskeletal sonography examinations.
These simulation experiences provide valuable opportunities to build knowledge, skills, and confidence, helping students feel more prepared for patient interactions in clinical settings. Simulation assessments are integrated at various points in the undergraduate curriculum, allowing students to demonstrate their skills through practical examinations with peers, manikin simulators or phantoms in realistic patient scenarios. This ensures that students are well-prepared and confident before entering clinical environments.
In addition to laboratory-based simulations, DMS students participate in interprofessional education sessions with the Netter School of Medicine in the Standardized Patient and Assessment Center. During these sessions, DMS students collaborate with medical students to enhance each other’s clinical skills and understanding. These interactions also place DMS students in the role of educator, reinforcing their mastery of the material and their ability to communicate effectively. The use of trained actors as standardized patients provides an added layer of realism, offering students an authentic, yet supportive, environment to demonstrate competence in sonographic examinations.
