Ultrasound Standardized Patient

An Ultrasound Standardized Patient is a person who participates in educational ultrasounds by medical students, residents, and physicians using ultrasound. USPs are used by the Ultrasound in Medical Education program throughout the UCI School of Medicine and UCI Medical Center to teach and evaluate student and physician ultrasound skills. USPs are examined by students and physicians using bedside ultrasound.

Yes. Students are aware they will be working with USPs but are instructed to behave as though they were working with real patients receiving an ultrasound examination to reinforce their patient-physician interaction skills and treat all USPs with the same professionalism and courtesies they would offer a patient.

Sometimes. If the students are working on an area of the body that is typically exposed (arms, legs, face or neck), then no. In some situations, when students are working on the chest, abdomen, or pelvis, you would be dressed in a hospital gown, and draped accordingly to prevent unnecessary exposure. All USPs are asked to wear underwear, loose-fitting shorts, and a sports bra for women as well underneath the gowns. You are notified beforehand what the expected attire and procedures are for the day.

You would take part in common ultrasound procedures that involve using gel and a plastic transducer for image acquisition. This procedure is considered to be non-invasive use of the technology.

Sometimes an individual has a condition that would be very helpful to the student. If you have a current medical condition, please indicate that on the patient profile and we will take this into consideration towards your participation.

While the risks of ultrasound to the baby and the mother are minimal, the university considers pregnant women to be part of a vulnerable population and asks that they not be placed at any additional risks for education purposes. For that reason, pregnant women cannot be involved.

We are looking for participants of all ages, physical types, ethnic groups and backgrounds who feel comfortable with minimal exposure of their body to represent the typical patient population that presents to hospitals every day. Please see the section on “Will I need to take off my clothes?”

Typically, a USP will be asked to arrive 30 minutes before a scheduled session to be oriented on the procedures for the day and what can be expected.

No. You do not need to know anything about medicine, any information necessary for the day will be provided to you.

That is very difficult to say. You will be contacted and scheduled according to the needs of the Ultrasound in Medical Education curriculum, and of course, your availability. You might be scheduled multiple hours in one week, only a few hours over the course of several months or none at all.

USPs receive a stipend and contribute to medical education without whom the program would not be possible.

Characteristics we look for are reliability and punctuality, a positive attitude due to the repeated examinations; no biases toward gender, race, religion, national origin, or physical characteristics; someone who understands confidential matters; and someone comfortable with health professionals and minimal exposure of their body.

It is unusual and interesting. Most USPs report great satisfaction with this work; however, it is understandable that you would be concerned. Hopefully, we have answered some of your questions to better help you understand what is involved.

If you are interested in becoming an Ultrasound Standardized Patient, please complete the USP Profile Form.