Do gastroenterologists want to be trained in ultrasound? A national survey of trainees in gastroenterology.

AIMS

(1) To establish whether gastroenterologists wish to train in abdominal ultrasound according to the Royal College of Radiologists' document, Guidance for the training in ultrasound of medical non-radiologists. (2) To determine whether the ultrasound workload generated by gastroenterologists differs from that by other clinicians.

METHODS

A postal questionnaire was sent to all 278 gastroenterology trainees. The indications and findings of 100 consecutive gastroenterologist requested scans were compared with 100 scans requested sequentially by other clinicians through a teaching hospital radiology department.

RESULTS

82% of the survey forms were returned. 77% of trainees wished to train in abdominal ultrasound and 68% were prepared to train in the manner outlined in the guideline document. However, 86% felt that they would ideally prefer not to assess renal or pelvic pathology, restricting to hepatobiliary diagnosis only. 73% of trainees did not anticipate that a further scan by a radiologist would be required. Comparison of gastroenterology scans with those requested by other clinicians revealed a relative excess of hepatobiliary indications and findings, and a notable paucity of renal and pelvic pathology in gastroenterology practice.

CONCLUSIONS

There is general interest in abdominal ultrasound training among gastroenterology trainees and broad acceptance of the guideline document. However, most trainees perceive a focus of training restricted to hepatobiliary disease to be most appropriate. The case mix study provides support for this viewpoint. It is suggested that a more focused ultrasound training for gastroenterologists be considered.