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The learning curve for using intestinal ultrasonography.

Authors :
Bezzio C
Saibeni S
Vernero M
Furfaro F
Monteleone M
Ribaldone D
Fiorino G
Friedman AB
Armuzzi A
Scalvini D
Maconi G
Source :
Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver [Dig Liver Dis] 2024 Sep; Vol. 56 (9), pp. 1511-1516. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 05.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background and Aims: Intestinal ultrasonography (IUS) is challenging to learn. This prospective study examined how the accuracy of IUS increases with operator experience ("learning curve") and if prior abdominal ultrasound experience facilitates the learning process.<br />Methods: The study included two trainees with limited abdominal ultrasound experience (< 50 exams) and two with extensive experience (> 500 exams). Each trainee performed 99 examinations and reported four IUS findings. An expert sonographer repeated the exam, and concordance (k) between the expert and trainees was assessed in three consecutive testing periods of 33 exams each.<br />Results: A progressive improvement in concordance was observed for all IUS findings from Period 1 to Period 3, overall and for both groups of trainees, although those with experience in abdominal ultrasound had faster learning curves. The minimum number of examinations required to achieve concordance with the expert operator for detecting increased bowel wall thickness was 84 and detecting bowel dilatation was 79. However, a minimum of 97 examinations was necessary to achieve concordance for detecting intra-abdominal complications, considered an advanced IUS competence.<br />Conclusion: Basic competence in IUS can be acquired with relatively few examinations, while advanced competence requires more extensive training, particularly for gastroenterologists without abdominal ultrasound experience.<br />Competing Interests: Conflict of interest CB served as a consultant for Takeda, Ferring, AbbVie, Galapagos, MSD and Janssen. SS received lecture fees from Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceuticals and served as a consultant and advisory board member for AbbVie and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. FF served as consultant for MSD, Amgen, AbbVie, Jannsen, Galapagos and Pfizer. AA received consulting/advisory board fees from AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, Arena, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Ferring, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Mylan, Nestlé, Pfizer, Protagonist Therapeutics, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz and Takeda; speaker's fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Arena, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Ferring, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz, Takeda and Tigenix; and research grants from Biogen, MSD, Pfizer and Takeda. DR provided consultancies for Biogen, Celltrion, Galapagos, Janssen and Takeda. GM served as speaker or advisory board member for Alfa Sigma, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen Cilag, Roche and Takeda. GF received consultancy fees from Ferring, MSD, AbbVie, Takeda, Janssen, Amgen, Sandoz, Samsung Bioepis, and Celltrion.<br /> (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1878-3562
Volume :
56
Issue :
9
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38320914
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dld.2024.01.192