From 26 to 29 August 2026, two international ultrasound courses took place at the Uniklinik RWTH Aachen. Numerous participants took the opportunity to practise ultrasound examinations on specialised simulation manikins. Afterwards they were able to apply the techniques they had learnt to volunteer subjects and patients. The course is based on the official guidelines of the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) and the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB), making it the first course of its kind to be certified in Germany.
Under the co-leadership of Prof. Dr Karim Hamesch, the Department of Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Internal Intensive Care Medicine (Medical Clinic III) at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen organised this dual-certified international course for the first time. Training courses such as this bring experts and participants from various countries to Aachen. The faculty comprised experts from the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Romania, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany; with Prof. Hamesch and Dr Fleig (Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Rheumatology and Immunology), Uniklinik RWTH Aachen itself provided two DEGUM2-certified ultrasound trainers in internal medicine. Prof. Hamesch was assisted in running the course by his Dutch colleague Dr Robert de Knegt from the Erasmus MC University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, as well as by Dr Claudia Lucius (Berlin), OFA Dr Michael Ludwig (Berlin) and Prof. Christian Jenssen (Wriezen; former EFSUMB President). A total of 58 participants travelled to Aachen; alongside doctors from various European countries, the group also included colleagues from the USA, Turkey and Malaysia.
Practical exercises using modern simulation technology
The aim of the basic and advanced courses was to impart knowledge of abdominal ultrasound in accordance with the current EFSUMB and DEGUM guidelines. In addition to theoretical content, the focus was particularly on practical training: participants were given individual practice sessions on state-of-the-art ultrasound simulators from Schallware and had access to an extensive pathology database. Furthermore, the examinations and demonstrations carried out by the experts were broadcast live onto a screen, enabling all course participants to follow the techniques being demonstrated in real time. In addition, ultrasound scans were performed in small groups on volunteers and patients.
“The exchange with international colleagues is particularly enjoyable,” says Prof. Hamesch. “I hope that the participants will be able to take much of what they have learnt back into their day-to-day clinical practice and apply it regularly.”
You can find the course programme at www.ukaachen.de/sonokurs.
