The Feasibility of Extern Training on Ultrasound Fetometry

Abstract

Objective :         To  assess the  feasibility  of  a  3-week sonographic  training course on estimating gestational agefor externs  from the Faculty  of  Medicine, Siriraj  Hospital,  Mahidol University. Assessment of the gestational  age (GA) was obtained from the measurement of bi-parietal  diameter (BPD), head  circumference  (HC), abdominal  circumference  (AC) and  femur  length  (FL). Materials  and methods : A prospective study was conducted atPranangklao Hospital. Externs were underwent  hands-on  practice to  measure  gestational age according to the  second trimester  score   for gestational  age  measurement. They were then evaluated by oneof the consultant. They were subsequently undertook  examination every week. These externs weretrained during October 2010 to May 2012. They were assigned as  seventeen groups of two and two groups ofthree. With the total of 40 externs. Results :              Duringthe training period, the highest differences between the gestational agesestimated between the  externs and te consultants was t 27.5 % at the beginning and declined to 11.5 % after the end of first week.All  externs  could determine the gestational  ages  without significant differences  from the consultants  within  two weeks with the differences ofe 3.75 and 5.70 in the second- and third-week, respectively.Conclusion :       Externtraining   on  fetal biometry  measurements  for gestational  age  estimation within  two weeks is feasible andvaluable.