Abdominal and Bowel Ultrasound Knowledge Among Young Gastroenterologists: Results of an Italian Survey

TL;DR

Young Italian gastroenterologists have uneven training in abdominal and bowel ultrasound, with a need for more standardized education and hands-on courses.

Contribution

This study provides insights into the current state of ultrasound training among Italian gastroenterologists and highlights the need for improved education.

Findings

Most participants learned ultrasound during gastroenterology training, with few attending specific courses.

Participants performed a median of 320 abdominal and 240 bowel ultrasounds during training.

Longer training periods correlated with better performance in the knowledge questionnaire.

Abstract

Background: The diagnostic accuracy of abdominal ultrasound (US) is operator-dependent and, therefore, influenced by inadequate training and lack of continuous medical education. To fill this gap, the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has developed guidelines to identify minimum training requirements for US. The aim of our survey was to assess the self-reported overall US education level among young Italian gastroenterologists. Methods: The Italian Association of Young Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (Associazione Giovani Gastroenterologi ed Endoscopisti Italiani, AGGEI) developed a web-based survey with a multiple-choice test with images, based on the EFSUMB recommendations. The survey was distributed via e-mail to AGGEI members. Results: The questionnaire was filled out by 110 participants from all over Italy. Most of the respondents worked in academic hospitals and were gastroenterology residents or PhD students. More than half (58.9%) learned US during their gastroenterology training and 8.2% attended specific courses. During their training participants performed a median number of 320 abdominal USs and 240 bowel USs. Participants receiving a longer training period ranked significantly better in the knowledge questionnaire. Conclusions: Young Italian gastroenterologists show heterogeneous training in residencies across the country. In the future learning and hands-on training courses endorsed by academies are needed to fill this knowledge and skill gap.