Evaluation of optimal education level to implement structured reporting into ultrasound training

Introduction The use of structured reporting (SR) of head and neck ultrasound studies (HNUS) has been shown to increase report quality and time efficiency. It remains unclear whether SR improves the learning curve of HNUS and at which point it should be implemented during training. Thus the present study’s purpose is to compare the quality of free text (FTR) and SR of HNUS at different training levels during medical school and residency.

Materials and Methods Corresponding SR and FTR of typical sonographic pathologies were created by medical students, junior residents during a DEGUM-certified HNUS course and senior residents. The reports were evaluated regarding overall quality and time efficiency. Additionally, user satisfaction was evaluated by a questionnaire.

Results SR received significantly better ratings in terms of report quality (93.1 % vs. 45.6 %, p<0.001) at all training stages. Time efficiency was also superior for SR with an emphasis on medical school and early residency (89.4 s vs. 160.2 s., p<0,001). Longitudinal analysis revealed a continuously increasing time efficiency while maintaining a very high report quality only for SR (-20.1 s, p = 0.036). User satisfaction was significantly higher when using SR (VAS 8.6 vs. 3.9, p<0.001).

Conclusion SR of HNUS provides a superior report quality at all training stages. Especially an early implementation results in a longitudinally increasing time efficiency without impairing report quality. Therefore, the implementation of SR should be recommended early on the learning process of HNUS.

Smart Reporting GmbH, München

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
10. Juni 2020