Table 1 Themes, subthemes and their implications
From: What do medical students think are characteristics of a good ultrasound tutor? A qualitative study
Theme | Subthemes | Implications Ultrasound tutors should… |
|---|---|---|
Teaching skills - generic | Structure Learning needs Learning objectives | Tutors should find out what the participants’ learning needs are and explain how the teaching sequence is structured around these and the learning objectives. |
Questions Level adaption Checking for understanding | When asking questions or explaining, tutors should use a language that is easily understood by learners, and regularly assess the learners’ understanding. | |
Feedback | Timely feedback helps students learn from their mistakes immediately and deepens their understanding. | |
Teaching skills - ultrasound-specific | Verbal guidance Explanations for every movement | When learners have difficulties in achieving the desired image, tutors should describe how to manipulate the probe to improve the image and explain why these particular techniques are needed. If tutors still need to take over the probe, they should do this while simultaneously guiding their learner’s hand. |
Examination time during teaching | Tutors should ensure regular rotations of the student examiner, so that all learners have a similar amount of practical training time. | |
Tutors’ attitudes | Atmosphere Expectations | Tutors should be non-threatening but show enthusiasm and humour. They should not have an unreasonably high expectation of what the learners can do. |
Empathy | Tutors should try to understand their learners’ perspectives to better understand their problems and needs. | |
Tutors’ knowledge | Ultrasound-specific knowledge | Tutors need to be prepared for any additional questions that they may be asked. |