Survey of current trends in postgraduate musculoskeletal ultrasound education in the United States

Abstract

Among respondents, the majority of diagnostic radiology programs offer musculoskeletal ultrasound training. However, this experience is even more widespread in other medical specialties, and hands-on training and experience tend to be greater in other specialties than in radiology.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Instruction in Adult Rheumatology Fellowship Programs

“…Standards for the education and determination of MSUS competency of European rheumatologists have been established . Ultrasound is now a part of the teaching strategy for undergraduate and postgraduate medical trainees in the US and Canada, including formal MSUS curricula for residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation and sports medicine . It is incumbent on the rheumatology community in the US to adopt innovative approaches to education and patient care.…”

Commentary: Integrating Diagnostic Ultrasound into Athletic Training Education Programs

“…In the past, formal training on diagnostic ultrasound was limited to radiologists, sonographers, and emergency department physicians. 1,[11][12][13] Today, physical medicine, [9][10][11]13 including orthopedic, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and rheumatology physician specialties are increasingly integrating POCUS for musculoskeletal and soft tissue diagnostic examinations. Historically, the majority of physicians in these specialties did not receive training for diagnostic ultrasound until they entered their residency or fellowship programs; however, this delayed training is outdated and recent initiatives to integrate formal diagnostic ultrasound education and training, beginning in medical school and extending through residency and fellowship programs, have been identified.…”

“…Historically, the majority of physicians in these specialties did not receive training for diagnostic ultrasound until they entered their residency or fellowship programs; however, this delayed training is outdated and recent initiatives to integrate formal diagnostic ultrasound education and training, beginning in medical school and extending through residency and fellowship programs, have been identified. 10,11,14 Professional societies, residency, and fellowship programs now advocate and recommend formal education and competencies in diagnostic ultrasound. In 2015, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine recommended core competencies for sports medicine fellowships in sports ultrasound, encompassing musculoskeletal regions and nonmusculoskeletal components such as abdominal scanning for traumatic injuries related to sport.…”

“…5,10,19 Common delivery modes that are progressive in nature and promote learning over time include didactic lectures, hands-on laboratory scanning, and clinical experiences where POCUS is used. 11,14,18 Given the potential of ultrasound imaging to serve as an adjunct to learning in the classroom and as a tool for clinical practice, athletic training program faculty should consider how it can and should be integrated into existing curriculum. Jurjus et al 19 promote using the Preparation, Linking, Hooking, Engagement, and Transfer (PLHET) process, and Bahner et al 10 present ideas for integrating focused ultrasonography exposures and experiences for students of several health care disciplines throughout the basic science and clinical course curriculum.…”

“…Another common and difficult barrier to overcome is time. 11,18,20 Faculty are frequently asked to add additional content to an already full curriculum. A seemingly plausible solution that could minimize time needed to deliver didactic content is to develop online, self-paced learning modules.…”