Korean J Pain.  2017 Oct;30(4):287-295. 10.3344/kjp.2017.30.4.287.

State of education regarding ultrasound-guided interventions during pain fellowships in Korea: a survey of recent fellows

• Kim HT
• Kim SY
• Byun GJ
• Shin BC
• Lee JY
• Choi EJ
• Choi JB
• Hong JH
• Choi SW
• Kim YD

• KMID: 2392906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2017.30.4.287

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recently, the use of ultrasound (US) techniques in regional anesthesia and pain medicine has increased significantly. However, the current extent of training in the use of US-guided pain management procedures in Korea remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to assess the current state of US training provided during Korean Pain Society (KPS) pain fellowship programs through the comparative analysis between training hospitals.
METHODS
We conducted an anonymous survey of 51 pain physicians who had completed KPS fellowships in 2017. Items pertained to current US practices and education, as well as the types of techniques and amount of experience with US-guided pain management procedures. Responses were compared based on the tier of the training hospital.
RESULTS
Among the 51 respondents, 14 received training at first- and second-tier hospitals (Group A), while 37 received training at third-tier hospitals (Group B). The mean total duration of pain training during the 1-year fellowship was 7.4 months in Group A and 8.4 months in Group B. Our analysis revealed that 36% and 40% of respondents in Groups A and B received dedicated US training, respectively. Most respondents underwent US training in patient-care settings under the supervision of attending physicians. Cervical root, stellate ganglion, piriformis, and lumbar plexus blocks were more commonly performed by Group B than by Group A (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Instruction regarding US-guided pain management interventions varied among fellowship training hospitals, highlighting the need for the development of educational standards that mandate a minimum number of US-guided nerve blocks or injections during fellowships in interventional pain management.

Keyword

Education; Fellowship; Injections; Lumbar plexus; Nerve block; Neuronavigation; Pain management; Piriformis muscle; Spinal nerve root; Spine; Training; Ultrasound

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Conduction
Anonyms and Pseudonyms
Education*
Fellowships and Scholarships*
Korea*
Lumbosacral Plexus
Nerve Block
Neuronavigation
Organization and Administration
Pain Management
Spinal Nerve Roots
Spine
Stellate Ganglion
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ultrasonography

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Types of work during pain fellowships. Number of respondents are expressed in each group.

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  Fig. 2 Dedicated training duration regarding ultrasound-guided procedures.

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  Fig. 3 Methods of training duration for ultrasound-guided procedures. Number of respondents are expressed in each group.

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  Fig. 4 Percentage of clinical experience performing ultrasound-guided techniques in each region of the body.

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