The Quality of Specimens Obtained By Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: does Training Make a Difference?

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of a one-hour training session on the correct technique of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) by assessing adequacy of FNAB specimens received from clinicians at an academic hospital.Method: Six clinicians were recruited and their FNABs assessed; six months prior to; and then again after; a one-hour training session in correct technique. Questionnaires were completed prior to the training session and after the subsequent six-month period; to determine the subjective assessment of the clinicians' perceived value of the training on their aspiration technique.Results: Five of the clinicians had never received training in FNAB technique. The adequacy of the aspirates for all six clinicians did not improve; although this was not statistically significant. They performed a median of 15.5 FNABs in the six months prior to training; and 13.5 FNABs in the six-month follow-up period. Five of the six clinicians subjectively perceived the quality of the aspirates to have improved; and all six recommended the training session to their colleagues.Conclusion: No improvement was noted after training; but the number of FNABs performed per clinician was suboptimal. Previous studies have shown that clinicians performing relatively few aspirates perform poorly; even if they have received adequate training. The fact that all six would recommend the training session to colleagues is encouraging; and the authors recommend that formal training in FNAB technique should be included in the undergraduate medical curriculum