1. Efficacy of an Intensive, Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Training Workshop in Tanzania
- Author
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Elia John Mmbaga, Katherine Van Loon, Msiba Selekwa Nyeriga, Ronald Balassanian, Amie Y. Lee, Li Zhang, Beatrice Mushi, Sujay Sheth, Godfrey Sama Philipo, Dianna Ng, Edda Vuhahula, Kristie L. White, and Emily G Waterhouse
- Subjects
Image-Guided Biopsy ,Male ,Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Biopsy ,Biopsy, Fine-Needle ,education ,Specialty ,Practicum ,Tanzania ,lcsh:RC254-282 ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Aspiration biopsy ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,medicine ,Original Report ,Humans ,Medical physics ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Medical diagnosis ,Simulation Training ,Ultrasonography ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,biology ,business.industry ,biology.organism_classification ,lcsh:Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,Ultrasound guided ,Fine-needle aspiration ,Oncology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Fine-Needle ,Biomedical Imaging ,Female ,business - Abstract
Background Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a minimally invasive, cost-effective diagnostic tool that can be used in low-resource settings. However, adequacy and accuracy of FNAB is highly dependent on the skills of the operator and requires specialized training. Poor technique can preclude definitive diagnoses because of insufficient quality or quantity of FNAB samples. We evaluated the efficacy of an intensive training experience in Tanzania on improving ultrasound-guided FNAB techniques. Methods A 2-day workshop offered didactic lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practicum on fundamentals of ultrasound imaging and FNAB technique. A prospective interventional study design was used with pre- and postintervention surveys and assessments to measure the effect of the workshop on specific skills related to slide smearing and ultrasound-guidance among participants. Results Twenty-six pathologists and radiologists, including trainees in each specialty, participated in the workshop. Pre- and postworkshop assessments demonstrated that most participants improved significantly in nearly all technical skills for slide smearing and ultrasound-guided FNAB. After the workshop, most participants demonstrated substantial improvements in ability to prepare the ultrasound equipment, measure the lesion in three dimensions by ultrasound, target lesions in one pass using both parallel and perpendicular approaches, and prepare high-quality aspirate smears. Conclusion An in-country 2-day workshop in Tanzania was efficacious in transferring basic skills in FNAB smear preparation and ultrasound-guided FNAB, resulting in skills enhancement among participating pathologists and radiologists. Although mastery of skills was not the goal of this short workshop, participants demonstrated proficiency in most technical elements after workshop completion, and the workshop generated interest among select participants to pursue additional intensive training in cytopathology.
- Published
- 2018