A Survey of Ultrasound Training in U.S. and Canadian Chronic Pain Fellowship Programs

Abstract

Objective: To assess the current state of ultrasound training in U.S. and Canadian Chronic Pain Fellowship programs. Design: U.S. as well as Canadian chronic pain fellowship programs were contacted via email and program directors were asked to complete a survey. The surveys were completed online using a questionnaire. Setting: Questionnaire via email. Patients: None. Interventions: None. Outcome: To assess the current state of ultrasound training in U.S. and Canadian Chronic Pain Fellowship programs. Measures: Current teaching structure, types, and numbers of ultrasound-guided interventional pain procedures. Results: Thirty-one responses (30.7%) from the 97 U.S. and four Canadian programs surveyed. Of the 31 programs that responded, 26 offered ultrasound training; five did not. These 31 programs averaged 4.1 fellows per year, majority 96.2% of the 26 programs taught ultrasound throughout the fellowship year. The type of ultrasound training varied, with the large majority 96.2% being patient based. Among 26 programs, 96.2% used ultrasound for peripheral nerve blocks, 76.9% used ultrasound for non-axial musculoskeletal injections, and 53.8% used ultrasound for axial nerve blocks. Conclusions: Chronic pain fellowships were teaching ultrasound-guided procedures to their fellows. The majority of the fellowships offered ultrasound training throughout the fellowship year. A majority of training was accomplished via hands-on experience with patients. Chronic pain fellows were receiving a majority of ultrasound training for peripheral nerve blocks, followed by nonaxial musculoskeletal blocks, with few axial nerve blocks being taught.