Short-term effects of lung auscultation education using visualization for medical students

<bold>Background:</bold> Auscultation is simple and provides important clinical information. Our study aimed to reveal the effect of lung sound visualization among medical students during their clinical clerkship (CC) in the Department of Respiratory Medicine. <bold>Methods:</bold> The study period was November 2022 to July 2023. Overall, 63 students attended CC in the Department of Respiratory Medicine. A graphical visualization of lung sounds using a simple diagram was introduced. The full-term visualization group (n=31) was introduced to the visualization on the first day of CC and performed lung auscultations with visualization for 4 weeks. The half-term visualization group (n=32) was introduced to the visualization in the second half of the CC and performed auscultation with visualization for 2 weeks. All students performed lung auscultation tests with a simulator at the beginning, mid-term, and end of CC. They also answered questionnaires regarding their lung auscultation before and after CC. The results of the tests and questionnaires between both groups were compared. <bold>Results:</bold> The score gain of lung auscultation tests at the mid-term from baseline was significantly higher in the full-term visualization group (median full-term, 2.4; half-term, 0.5; p=0.018). The score gain at the end-term from baseline was higher in the full-term visualization group, although the difference was not statistically significant (median full-term, 3.6; half-term, 2.3; p=0.060). Lung sound visualization was well accepted by the students. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Visualizing lung sounds can improve auscultation skills. Two weeks of visualization can be effective.