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.
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.