Obstetrics and gynecology ultrasound topics in family medicine resident training

Abstract

Access to timely and appropriate prenatal and maternity care is widely known to be an important factor in improving birth outcomes. Family physicians make a significant contribution to the provision of prenatal care in the United States. The amount of exposure to maternity care and prenatal procedures in residency increase likelihood of incorporation of prenatal care in future practice. The use of prenatal ultrasounds has become standard in the management of pregnancy. Ultrasonography has wide application in obstetric care and is being used in screening and diagnosis during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods. Family physicians that provide obstetric care should be trained to carry out basic obstetric ultrasound scans. In our paper, we have outlined an approach to the incorporation of ultrasound training into Family Medicine residency education. We have also explored the use of simulation as an adjunct to scanning live patients in a training curriculum.