Summary
This journal article assesses the impact and effectiveness of the ultrasound educational program developed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to promote the use of ultrasound in surgical practice.
The study involved mailing a survey to surgeons who had completed ACLS ultrasound courses between 1998 and 2002. Of the 1,791 surveys sent, 873 were completed and returned. The results indicated that 65% of respondents reported using ultrasound in their surgical practices following their completion of the ACoS educational courses. Among those using ultrasound, some focused on a single clinical area, while others used it in multiple areas. Common applications included breast, vascular, acute/trauma, abdominal, intraoperative/laparoscopic, and head/neck examinations.
The study found that the number of ultrasound examinations required for surgeons to feel competent ranged from 11 to 20, regardless of the type of examination. Furthermore, many of the surgeons who used ultrasound in their practice also performed ultrasound-guided procedures. However, approximately 67% of these surgeons were restricted from using ultrasound in certain patient care areas.
In conclusion, the ACoS ultrasound courses were popular and had a positive impact, contributing to increased ultrasound use in surgical practice. The study highlights the need to expand the availability of ACS courses to other venues and emphasizes the importance of incorporating ultrasound training into surgical residency programs.
