Margaret Wu1, Linyi Peng2,3, Joseph H Donroe4, Minna J Kohler5, Li Wang2,3, Xiaofeng Zeng2,3, Mengtao Li6,7, Evelyn Hsieh8. 1. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. 2. Department of Rheumatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Eastern District, Beijing, 100730, China. 3. Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education & National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing, China. 4. Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. 5. Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 6. Department of Rheumatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Eastern District, Beijing, 100730, China. mengtao.li@cstar.org.cn. 7. Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education & National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing, China. mengtao.li@cstar.org.cn. 8. Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, TAC S-525, PO Box 208031, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. evelyn.hsieh@yale.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/ OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) has been extensively studied by rheumatologists in Europe and the Americas, but less is known about MSUS use in Asia. Our hypothesis is that MSUS use is less prevalent in China as compared with its Western counterparts. This study reports the most up-to-date recommendations for MSUS use in rheumatology globally and is also the first study to characterize the current practices, training, and perceptions regarding MSUS of rheumatologists in China. METHOD: A 43-question survey was designed and distributed via mobile application to members of the Chinese Rheumatology Association, primarily to investigate the current prevalence and utilization of MSUS in China. Statistical analyses included the use of chi-square tests and independent-samples t tests, with p values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The results showed low rates of MSUS training (129/528, 24%) and current MSUS use (89/524, 17%) in China. However, there was a high level of interest in learning MSUS, especially among younger respondents. Lack of access to training programs and user variability in skill were seen as significant barriers to the uptake of MSUS. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low rates of MSUS training and utilization, the vast majority of respondents believe that MSUS should become a standard clinical tool in rheumatology, and there was great interest in undergoing training. Importantly, lack of access to MSUS training programs and user variability in skill were seen as significant obstacles to the more widespread use of MSUS, which suggests a need for more standardized, high-quality MSUS training in China. Key Points • A low percentage of Chinese rheumatologists (17%) currently use MSUS. • Chinese rheumatologists expressed a high level of interest in obtaining MSUS training. • The greatest perceived obstacle to more widespread MSUS use is the lack of training programs.
INTRODUCTION/ OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) has been extensively studied by rheumatologists in Europe and the Americas, but less is known about MSUS use in Asia. Our hypothesis is that MSUS use is less prevalent in China as compared with its Western counterparts. This study reports the most up-to-date recommendations for MSUS use in rheumatology globally and is also the first study to characterize the current practices, training, and perceptions regarding MSUS of rheumatologists in China. METHOD: A 43-question survey was designed and distributed via mobile application to members of the Chinese Rheumatology Association, primarily to investigate the current prevalence and utilization of MSUS in China. Statistical analyses included the use of chi-square tests and independent-samples t tests, with p values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The results showed low rates of MSUS training (129/528, 24%) and current MSUS use (89/524, 17%) in China. However, there was a high level of interest in learning MSUS, especially among younger respondents. Lack of access to training programs and user variability in skill were seen as significant barriers to the uptake of MSUS. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low rates of MSUS training and utilization, the vast majority of respondents believe that MSUS should become a standard clinical tool in rheumatology, and there was great interest in undergoing training. Importantly, lack of access to MSUS training programs and user variability in skill were seen as significant obstacles to the more widespread use of MSUS, which suggests a need for more standardized, high-quality MSUS training in China. Key Points • A low percentage of Chinese rheumatologists (17%) currently use MSUS. • Chinese rheumatologists expressed a high level of interest in obtaining MSUS training. • The greatest perceived obstacle to more widespread MSUS use is the lack of training programs.
Authors: Maria-Antonietta D'Agostino; Lene Terslev; Philippe Aegerter; Marina Backhaus; Peter Balint; George A Bruyn; Emilio Filippucci; Walter Grassi; Annamaria Iagnocco; Sandrine Jousse-Joulin; David Kane; Esperanza Naredo; Wolfgang Schmidt; Marcin Szkudlarek; Philip G Conaghan; Richard J Wakefield Journal: RMD Open Date: 2017-07-11
Authors: A Iagnocco; L Terslev; M Backhaus; P Balint; G A W Bruyn; N Damjanov; E Filippucci; H B Hammer; S Jousse-Joulin; D Kane; J M Koski; P Mandl; I Möller; P Peetrons; W Schmidt; M Szkudlarek; J Vojinovic; R J Wakefield; M Hofer; M A D'Agostino; E Naredo Journal: RMD Open Date: 2015-10-06