Six-Year Experience in Teaching Pelvic Floor Ultrasonography Using Pelvic Floor Phantoms

Current Utilization and Perceptions of Formal Education of Point-of-care Ultrasound in Urology

OBJECTIVE

To assess the extent of formal point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training, current utilization of POCUS, and contemporary perceptions of POCUS amongst urologists.

METHODS

A survey including questions regarding demographics, prior ultrasound education, current ultrasound utilization in practice/training, perceived optimal POCUS utilization, and the perception of formal ultrasound training was developed. The survey was disseminated to residency program directors (PDs) via the SAU and members of AUA subsection organizations. Data were collected via Redcap.

RESULTS

A total of 40 PDs and 159 other respondents completed the survey with approximately half (51%) in an academic practice and two-thirds (68%) with more than 10years in practice. PD response rate was 28%, and general response rate was 2%. Among all respondents, 95% (186/196) and 82% (160/194) agreed/strongly agreed formal POCUS training would be worthwhile during and after residency. Among urology residency PDs, 93% (37/40) agreed/strongly agreed that formal POCUS training is worthwhile in residency. The majority of respondents used some form of ultrasound in practice (77%, 154/199). However, only 37% (72/199) of all respondents had prior formal POCUS training, and 19% (5/26) of PDs reported formal training in their programs. Of respondents without formal training, 63% (80/127) reported interest in pursuing formal training.

CONCLUSION

POCUS is widely utilized in many practices. Yet, most urologists have not participated in formal POCUS training and most programs do not have curricula. Urologists have favorable opinions of the utility, safety, and efficacy of POCUS and desire training.

Systematic Review of Current Ultrasound Use in Education and Simulation in the Field of Urology

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

We investigate articles in the literature published in the last 5 years (2014-2019) regarding ultrasound education in the specialty of urology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Ultrasound has been touted as the modern day stethoscope. Medical educational governing bodies have encouraged the incorporation of ultrasound in medical school education. However, in this review, we find that there are gaps in educational opportunities and standardization in residency and continuing education for urology practitioners. We have identified several new tools for procedure-specific training published in the last 5 years including MRI fusion prostate biopsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. New technology is being fused with traditional ultrasound training to provide procedure-specific ultrasound knowledge. There is a need to incorporate new technology and standards into resident and continuing medical education.