Training and experiences in ultrasound and focused echo among post graduate trainees in anaesthesia, critical care and emergency medicine

Use of ultrasound scans (USS) has rapidly expanded and it is being used by many non-radiology specialists in fields such as anaesthesia, critical care and emergency medicine. There are well established guidelines on the use of USS in these specialities. Training in USS should be appropriately supervised and should lead to an accreditation to ensure the quality and to minimize mistakes.  Study objectives: We evaluated the training, experience, and confidence in USS/Focused ECHO among anaesthesia, critical care and emergency medicine trainees. Methods: An online survey was sent to the post-graduate trainees in anaesthesia, critical care and emergency medicine who wereundergoing local training in Sri Lanka during August-September 2017. No ethical approval was required, and participation was entirely voluntary with responses kept anonymised. Results: Out of 69 responders, only 25 (36.2%) had a dedicated training programme in USS/F-ECHO. Trainees gained their knowledge mainly from their seniors (52.1%), workshops (46.3%) and local educational supervisor (37.6%). Only 9 (13.1%) maintained a log book. Majority were always or often confident in performing vascular USS. However, trainees were least confident in F-ECHO. Conclusions: There should be a dedicated USS and focused ECHO programme and a curriculum for the trainees in anaesthesia, critical care and emergency medicine and they should be encouraged to maintain a log book of their training experiences.