Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Practices of Graduates of a Blended-Learning Program: A Survey of Rheumatologists From the United States.

Abstract

Not much is known regarding musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) practices of rheumatologists in the United States. We sought to determine the current use of MSUS among past participants of the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists (USSONAR) training program and, by extension, MSUS practicing rheumatologists and to understand barriers to its MSUS use. An online survey was sent to 374 participants in the 8-month USSONAR blended course (Fundamentals in MSUS and Train the Trainer) between 2009 and 2020. Each respondent had a unique identifier linked to their total number of submitted practice scans and examination scores during training. The survey response rate was 28.1% (105/374), comprising 82% adult and 18% pediatric rheumatologists. Of the respondents, 71% were MSUS certified: 86.7% performed and/or interpreted diagnostic MSUS, 81.0% performed/interpreted procedural MSUS, 59.8% billed for at least 50% of diagnostic studies, and 78.8% billed for at least 50% of procedural studies. The top reasons for not doing diagnostic and procedural ultrasonography were lack of administrative support and limited time, respectively. For 25% of diagnostic ultrasonography and 12.9% of procedural ultrasonography, billing was done less than 50% of the time. Of the respondents, 78.0% reported that USSONAR training made them better rheumatologists. Most USSONAR-trained rheumatologists are certified, practicing both diagnostic and procedural MSUS and billing for most of their work. However, a substantial number of studies are not being billed due to time constraints, limited administrative support, and legal liability. Participants agreed that USSONAR training made them better rheumatologists.