The effectiveness of a training program in improving the prenatal diagnosis accuracy of placenta accreta spectrum with ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured training program in improving prenatal ultrasound diagnostic accuracy for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and assesses trainees' ability to recognize individual ultrasound markers of PAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective educational study enrolled 16 third-year obstetrics and gynecology residents who participated in a standardized PAS ultrasound training program. The program comprised a pre-training assessment, a didactic lecture on PAS based on established ultrasound criteria, interactive case-scenario exercises, and a 2-month post-training assessment. Diagnostic performance before and after training was evaluated using paired analyses, including overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for PAS. Recognition of individual grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound markers was also evaluated. RESULTS: The training program significantly improved diagnostic performance. Overall diagnostic accuracy increased by 9.4% (from 65.6% to 75.0%). Diagnostic specificity improved significantly, by 17.5% (from 36.3% to 53.8%), while high sensitivity was maintained (95.0% vs. 96.3%). Improvements were also observed in the recognition of key PAS ultrasound markers. These findings are clinically significant, as increased specificity reduces false-positive diagnoses and may decrease unnecessary referrals and healthcare resource utilization. CONCLUSION: A structured ultrasound training program significantly improves prenatal diagnostic accuracy for PAS and enhances recognition of key ultrasound markers among trainees. These findings support the implementation of standardized PAS ultrasound training and suggest potential benefit for broader adoption to improve prenatal detection of PAS.