title: Self-directed learning in high-quality antenatal screening.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare first-trimester scan results between audited (AS), according to the Fetal Medicine Foundation criteria, and non-audited sonographers (NAS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational study of N = 629 and N = 1290 NT and CRL measurements done by AS and NAS, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For similar examined populations (similar CRL and maternal age at examination) NT values were significantly lower in NAS with NT of 1.0 mm or less in 26.9% of measurements taken by NAS (vs. 0.3% in AS). NT differed significantly between NAS and AS in all maternal age groups, except for patients below 24 years of age and in all CRL categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training of sonographic skills in fetal medicine needs to be complemented by a regular audit to ensure adequate quality of the measurements.
authors.forename: Piotr T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Dydowicz
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietrygz
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zawiejska
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szczeszek
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilczak
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brązert
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000592:standards; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000592:standards*