Development and Preliminary Evaluation of the Ultrasound Knowledge and Perceptions Questionnaire (UKPQ) Among Health Professions Students

Purpose

Medical ultrasound has become an essential component of modern healthcare due to its wide range of clinical applications, accessibility, and non-ionizing nature. As its role in diagnosis and patient management continues to expand, ultrasound education has become increasingly important in health professions curricula. This study aimed to develop the Ultrasound Knowledge and Perceptions Questionnaire (UKPQ) and to conduct a preliminary assessment of its measurement properties among health professions students. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 213 health professions students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the newly developed UKPQ, which assessed demographic characteristics, ultrasound knowledge (physics, instrumentation and imaging, and safety), and perceptions of ultrasound education. Preliminary evaluation of the questionnaire included assessment of internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t -tests, and multivariable binary logistic regression were used for data analysis, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05.