How good are final year veterinary students at recognising normal abdominal organs on ultrasound videos?

Ultrasound is a widely used diagnostic imaging modality in veterinary medicine, yet lack of training and confidence are commonly reported barriers to its clinical use. In the United Kingdom, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons requires new graduates to demonstrate proficiency in capturing diagnostic-quality ultrasound images and interpreting “common findings,” though the scope of these findings is not clearly defined. The present study aimed to evaluate final-year veterinary students’ ability and confidence in identifying abdominal organs on ultrasound videos, as a prerequisite to recognising common abnormalities, and to assess the impact of supplementary online teaching material. At the study location, practical ultrasound training is limited, with lectures predominating and practical sessions focusing on organs considered easier to identify, such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and urinary bladder. Students completed a test at the start (pre-rotation), end (post-rotation 1), and six weeks later (post-rotation 2) of their diagnostic imaging rotation. Two cohorts had access to online teaching material (test students), while one cohort did not (control students). The test assessed identification of 47 abdominal structures on ultrasound videos and self-reported confidence (Likert scale 1–5). Test students showed significant improvements in correctly identifying several organs. Compared to controls, they were significantly more accurate at identifying the spleen (post-rotation 1), pancreas (post-rotation 2), and blood vessels (both post-rotation tests). Confidence in identifying kidneys, spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract (except ileocaecocolic junction), pancreas, lymph nodes, and blood vessels increased significantly over time in test students, while control students showed smaller gains in confidence limited to the small and large intestine. However, increases in confidence were not always matched by corresponding improvements in accuracy. At post-rotation 2, test students were significantly more confident than controls in identifying kidneys, spleen, pancreas, lymph nodes, and blood vessels. These findings indicate that final-year students can reliably identify commonly taught abdominal organs, while additional online resources can further improve identification and confidence for less familiar structures. The study provides evidence for the value of supplementary online teaching in undergraduate veterinary ultrasound education and highlights areas for future curriculum development.