The effect of operator experience on scanning time in ultrasound assessment of the shoulder

Abstract

Introduction There has been a significant increase in ultrasound imaging over the past three decades that has resulted in a strain on imaging departments including in musculoskeletal subspeciality where resources are already stretched to meet targets in United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS). We performed a retrospective study to assess the effect of operator experience on scanning duration in ultrasound assessment of the shoulder. Method Four different operators (one sonographer and three consultant musculoskeletal radiologists) with experience ranging from 1 to 10 years were included in the study. A total of 100 consecutive shoulder ultrasound examinations were reviewed, with each operator having performed 25 of these scans. Results The scanning duration decreased with increasing experience in operators 1 to 3; however, operator 4, who had the most scanning experience, was found to have a statistically significant longer scanning duration when compared with operator 3, and this reflected the presence of a radiology trainee in operator 4's ultrasound session. Conclusion There is decrease in scanning duration with experience, and this would help for workforce planning and accurate scheduling of ultrasound lists.