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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ultrasound Int Open 2024; 10: a22439625
DOI: 10.1055/a-2243-9625
Original Article

Neurosonology Survey in Europe and Beyond

Claudio Baracchini
1   Stroke Center and Neurosonology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Padua University Hospital, Padova, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN60242)
,
Elsa Azevedo
2   Neurology, Centro Hospitalar de Sao Joao EPE, Porto, Portugal (Ringgold ID: RIN285211)
,
Uwe Walter
3   Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
,
João Sargento-Freitas
4   Department of Neurology, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Coimbra, Portugal (Ringgold ID: RIN37830)
,
Branko Malojcic
5   Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb School of Medicine, Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
,
for the Council of Nations of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH) › Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Purpose To provide an overview on education, training, practice requirements, and fields of application of neurosonology in Europe and beyond.

Materials and Methods National representatives and experts in neurosonology were surveyed regarding neurosonology requirements and practice in their countries. Descriptive statistics were used to report the data.

Results Between February 1 and March 31, 2023, 42/46 (91.3%) national representatives responded to our questionnaire and the completion rate was 100%. Most countries (71.4%) offer a neurosonology training program during neurology residency, but it is part of the undergraduate medical program only in 30.9%. National certification is available in 47.6% of the countries surveyed and most countries (76.2%) require certification to practice. In 50% of the countries, candidates are assessed by a board examination, while in 26.2% they just need to document their practice. There is no formal accreditation of neurosonology centers in 78.6% of the countries surveyed. Only a few require certified personnel and appropriate equipment. Adequate teaching and research activities are only rarely necessary elements for laboratory accreditation.

Conclusion Our results indicate that there is a substantial need for transnational harmonization of neurosonological standards to guarantee uniformity and quality of performance. This survey will also provide guidance to promote an international accrediting council and create a quality-controlled laboratory network for implementing neurosonology in clinical trials.

Keywords

Europe - neurosonology - survey - education - standards


Publication History

Received: 07 November 2023

Accepted: 07 January 2024

Article published online:
23 February 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Bibliographical Record
Claudio Baracchini, Elsa Azevedo, Uwe Walter, João Sargento-Freitas, Branko Malojcic. Neurosonology Survey in Europe and Beyond. Ultrasound Int Open 2024; 10: a22439625.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2243-9625