Ultrasound Training in Radiology Residency Programs: A National Survey

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine 2021-04, Vol.40 (4), p.731-740
• Main Authors: Mansoori, Bahar, Golnari, Pedram, Sharifi, Arghavan, Khoshpouri, Pegah, Chalian, Hamid, Herrmann, Karin, Chalian, Majid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical Competence; Curriculum; Education, Medical, Graduate; Humans; Internship and Residency; Radiology - education; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.1002/jum.15443

Comprehensive training in ultrasound (US) imaging during radiology residency is crucial if radiologists are expected to maintain a substantial role in this widely used imaging modality. This study aimed to evaluate the current curriculum of US training among radiology residency programs across the country via a nationwide survey. A 28-question survey was distributed among all academic radiology departments in the United States and their radiology residents. The survey consisted of 4 sections: general demographic information, training information, clinical competency, and adequacy of training (perspective). The Student t test and 1-way analyses of variance were performed to assess statistical significance. Overall, 256 residents from 32 states completed the questionnaire. Only 114 (45%) residents reported having a dedicated rotation for performing US studies. Although 228 (89%) of trainees believed they received adequate experience for interpreting US studies, only 66 (26%) of them had the same belief about performing them. Only 116 (45%) of the residents were comfortable operating the US machines in their departments. Higher years of residency training, having a dedicated rotation for performing US studies, and having more than 10 hours per year of didactic lectures and/or more than 5 hours per year of case conferences dedicated to US had a positive impact on the residents' clinical competency and perspective (all P