The State of Sports Ultrasound Education and Training among Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowships 2023–2024

The purpose of this study was to assess current sports ultrasound educational practices among primary care sports medicine fellowships and to evaluate training effectiveness. This was a cross-sectional survey design conducted by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Ultrasound Committee among 2023-2024 primary care sports medicine fellows. Among participating fellows (88/352), 72.7% indicated that their fellowship program followed a formalized sports ultrasound curriculum. Most fellows (64.8% to 98.9%) reported a high degree of confidence for ultrasound basics, while ratings for complete regional diagnostic ultrasound scans were more heterogeneous. Time spent in a clinical setting was associated with higher confidence ratings in 6/7 ultrasound basics categories. Time spent on practical, hands-on instruction and self-directed, independent learning revealed significant associations with confidence ratings for diagnostic ultrasound scans. The findings of this study provide an understanding for several aspects of sports ultrasound training during fellowship and may provide information to help programs optimize training when developing curricula.