Current status and barriers of ultrasonography utilization among general surgeons in Türkiye: Results of a nationwide survey

Objective: Point-of-care ultrasonography is rapidly becoming a key tool in many medical fields. Although its value in surgical practice is well established, adoption among general surgeons in Türkiye still seems quite limited. Material and Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey of practicing general surgeons and surgery residents in Türkiye. The questionnaire covered participants' background, ultrasound training history, current usage patterns, and views on future training. Results: A total of 147 surgeons responded (44 residents, 77 specialists, and 26 academic faculty). Only 10.2% had received structured ultrasound training during residency, whereas 21.8% had attended a postgraduate course. More than three-quarters (75.5%) described their competence in ultrasound-guided procedures as low or non-existent. Self-reported competency was significantly higher among specialists and faculty than residents (p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that attending a postgraduate ultrasound course [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 12.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.66-35.83] and having access to a dedicated ultrasound device (aOR 4.39, 95% CI 1.36-14.16) were the strongest predictors of greater competency. Notably, more than 93% of participants reported a willingness to pay for ultrasound training courses. Our results highlight a significant gap between available training opportunities and what surgeons need. Although competency improves somewhat with experience and formal training, it remains low across all career stages. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to integrate structured, hands-on ultrasonography training into general surgery residency programs in Türkiye and to expand accessible postgraduate options.