A pilot study to evaluate the practice of transvaginal gynecological sonography in a general gynecology clinic.

Purpose: Ultrasound is the imaging method of choice in gynecology. The quality and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound depends on the skills of the individual performing the scan. Evaluation of ultrasound practice has received limited attention.

Methods: A video recording device was connected to an ultrasound machine in gynecology clinics in a teaching hospital. To minimize the observer effect, all staff were notified through email in advance. Data were collected over a 3-week period. Anonymous recordings of both patients and user were compared with current guidelines, and practice was categorized as: compliant, partially compliant, or non-compliant.

Results: Observations (n = 43) were categorized and the results described as percentage frequencies (%). Image optimization was compliant in 23.3% of recorded observations, 11.6% was partially compliant, and 65.1% was noncompliant. The study also found that global examination on gynecology was 20.9% compliant, 18.6% partially compliant, and 60.47% noncompliant. Images were annotated in appropriately 41.9% of instances, and 25.6% of end-users examined bladder, vagina, and cervix when indicated.

Conclusion: The pilot evaluation showed that ultrasound practice among end-users did not reflect current guidelines, suggesting a need for improvement. Accuracy and performance of ultrasound examination remains highly operator-dependent although video evaluation can be an effective tool for assessing such skills.