The Obstetric Ultrasound Experience at UAMS Department of Radiology
Obstetric ultrasound is an essential requirement in a radiology residency.  Questions on this subject are included in the Radiology written boards and constitute a significant part of the Radiology oral boards.  At UAMS, radiology residents are provided with opportunities where they can gain familiarity with both the theory and practice of OB ultrasound.

There are few institutions in the country where cooperative relationships exist between the departments of Radiology and Obstetrics & Gynecology.  In 1987, Dr. Teresita Angtuaco, head of the ultrasound service in the Department of Radiology, was given a faculty appointment in the Department of OB/Gyn in recognition of her long-standing interest in the area of women’s imaging, especially prenatal diagnosis.  Since then, collaborative clinical research has been going on between the two departments resulting in many publications and presentations, both nationally and internationally.  This relationship was solidified in 1996 when ultrasound studies from both departments were linked through a McKesson PACS network.  All studies then became available for viewing by staff and residents from both departments, facilitating consultations and research collaborations.  More importantly, the case material available for resident teaching in both departments has grown significantly with the addition of clinical sites.

Currently the ultrasound network is connected not only to the hospital's main Radiology department but also to Labor and Delivery, the OB High Risk ultrasound clinic, and the Arkansas Health Department Women’s Community Center.  With the awarding of a federal matching grant to improve prenatal care in the state, there will be an additional 16 sites around the state that will be hooked up to the network, further increasing resources for obstetric ultrasound.

Radiology residents at UAMS have the opportunity to perform hands-on scanning of OB patients without having to rotate to outside institutions or clinics.  In-house patient case load is more than adequate to provide this experience.  All abnormal cases done anywhere on the network can be accessed by the residents from any ultrasound work station.  These cases are likewise available for teaching both during read-out sessions and resident conferences.  Monthly ultrasound didactic sessions by staff are heavily weighted with topics in Ob/Gyn.  Weekly morning case conferences draw on daily interesting cases selected by the resident on rotation in ultrasound, many of them in OB/Gyn.

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