Use of Emergency Ultrasound in United States Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Programs in 2011

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of and training in emergency ultrasound (US) in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) with pediatric emergency medicine (EM) fellowship programs. We hypothesized that emergency US use and pediatric EM fellow training have become widespread and that more structured training is being offered. A survey instrument was sent via e-mail to all 69 United States pediatric EM fellowship directors or associate directors in the spring of 2011. We used descriptive summary statistics and χ(2) tests to determine characteristics associated with having a formal emergency US training program for pediatric EM fellows. The survey response rate was 87% (60 of 69). Among responding programs, 40 (67%) resided within a children's hospital (versus general ED). Fifty-one (85%) were designated level 1 pediatric trauma centers. Fifty-seven programs (95%) endorsed the use of emergency US in their EDs. Fifty-three (88%) provided at least some emergency US training to fellows, and 42 (70%) offered a structured emergency US rotation. Training has existed for a median of 3 years (interquartile range, 2-4 years). Twenty-eight programs (67%) with emergency US rotations provided fellow training in the both a general ED as well as a pediatric ED. There were no hospital or program level factors statistically associated with having a formal training program for pediatric EM fellows. As of 2011, nearly all pediatric EDs with pediatric EM fellowship programs use emergency US. Pediatric EM fellowship programs provide emergency US training to their fellows, with a structured rotation being offered by most of these programs.