Introduction: Simulation is increasingly used throughout medicine. Within ultrasound, simulators are more established for learning transvaginal and interventional procedures. The use of modern high-fidelity transabdominal simulators is increasing, particularly in centres with large trainee numbers. There is no current literature on the value of these simulators in gaining competence in abdominal ultrasound. The aim was to investigate the impact of a new ultrasound curriculum, incorporating transabdominal simulators into the first year of training in a UK radiology academy. Methods: The simulator group included 13 trainees. The preceding cohort of 15 trainees was the control group. After 10 months, a clinical assessment was performed to assess whether the new curriculum resulted in improved ultrasound skills. Questionnaires were designed to explore the acceptability of simulation training and whether it had any impact on confidence levels. Results: Trainees who had received simulator-enriched training scored higher in an objective clinical ultrasound assessment, which was statistically significant (p ¼ 0.0463). End confidence scores for obtaining diagnostic images and demonstrating pathology were also higher in the simulation group. All trainees stated that transabdominal simulator training was useful in early training. Conclusions: This initial study shows that embedded into a curriculum, transabdominal ultrasound simulators are an acceptable training method that can result in improved ultrasound skills and higher confidence levels. Using simulators early in training could allow trainees to master the basics, improve their confidence, enabling them to get more educational value from clinical ultrasound experience while reducing the impact of training on service provision.

Introduction This paper reports the results of a rolling audit of sonographer-performed non-obstetric ultrasound examinations undertaken between 2010 and 2020 in a large University Teaching Hospital Ultrasound Department in the United Kingdom. We believe that this represents the largest published audit of sonographer non-obstetric ultrasound examination quality. Methods Random samples of sonographer ultrasound examinations were regularly and systematically audited by consultant-level ultrasound practitioners through review of soft copy images and reports. Examination and report quality were assessed against an internal audit standard in 3731 patients over an 11-year period and also against externally set audit standards in 3186 patients over a nine-year period. Results Both image and report quality exceeded externally set audit standards in all nine years of audit. In the internal audit, the quality standard just failed to be met for the first five years of audit but was achieved in all the subsequent six years. Conclusion This audit provides further information on the quality and safety of sonographer-led ultrasound service delivery within a service that has quality safeguards, readily available support and an active education programme. It is used not only to provide assurance to patients, clinicians, managers and commissioners of this service but also to direct individual professional development and drive an iterative process of quality improvement.

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