Medical University: New Ultrasound Skills Lab takes off!

Medical University: New Ultrasound Skills Lab takes off!

By integrating the student ultrasound skills lab “The Sononauts” into the central skills lab, the Brandenburg Theodor Fontane Medical School (MHB) has taken an important step towards strengthening practical training in ultrasound teaching. This was announced on August 25, 2025. This brings together the ultrasound expertise at the MHB, which benefits both the students and the entire medical training. This integration is intended not only to consolidate the role of student tutors, but also to increase the professionalism of ultrasound training.

The MHB Skills Lab acts as a central learning and training location for prospective doctors and dentists. The Neuruppin and Brandenburg an der Havel locations are equipped with the most modern equipment, including practical rooms, instruments, models and simulation stations. Here, students have the opportunity to learn and apply ultrasound techniques, being guided by lecturers, tutors or through self-study. By promoting interprofessional learning, trainees from various health professions should also be included in the teaching content.

The role of BIKUS

BIKUS, an affiliated institute of the MHB, plays a central role in the training and further development of clinical ultrasound diagnostics. Founded in 2017 and an integrated part of the university since 2018, BIKUS specializes in teaching, research and training in the field of ultrasound techniques. Prof. Dieter Nürnberg, the head of BIKUS and professor of internal medicine and gastroenterology, highlights the advantages of the integration: teaching content is now anchored directly in the central skills lab, which means that students are introduced to ultrasound diagnostics from the first semester.

The opportunity to acquire an ultrasound certificate motivates many students to actively participate in ultrasound training. In addition, starting next semester, budget funds will be made available to support ultrasound training. Regular training for tutors and coordination of semester planning are intended to further increase the quality of training. The student tutors, who work independently as sononauts, play a significant role in the successful implementation of tutorials and training courses.

Training of sononauts

The selection and hiring of new tutors is self-organized, with experienced sononauts and medical sonotutors taking over the training of new tutors. They learn the skills necessary to carry out tutorials and supervise participants in “Freie Schallens”. The integrative training takes place in the form of courses and conferences, with the next clinical Sono evening planned for tutors and students to promote exchange.

International events and specialist courses, which take place at renowned locations such as the Charité in Berlin and the University Hospital of Bonn, contribute to further training in the field of ultrasound. Such events are important to present and learn about current developments and technologies in ultrasound medicine. Further data and information is available via the BIKUS website to recruit participants for future courses and events.

With these measures, the MHB positions itself as a leading institution in the training of medical students in the field of ultrasound diagnostics and promotes the networking between theoretical knowledge and practical application in medical training.

Contact: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dieter Nürnberg, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Tel. 03391-3914710, d.nuernberg@mhb-fontane.de

For more information and details about integration and ultrasound training, please visit Brandenburg Medical University, ultrasound conference-bb and wfm ultrasound.