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

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.