Recommendations for the content and conduct of European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) musculoskeletal ultrasound courses
2008

Guidelines for EULAR Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Courses

Sample size: 29 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Naredo E, Bijlsma J W J, Conaghan P G, Acebes C, Balint P, Berner-Hammer H, Bruyn G A W, Collado P, D’Agostino M A, de Agustin J J, de Miguel E, Filippucci E, Grassi W, Iagnocco A, Kane D, Koski J M, Manger B, Mayordomo L, Möller I, Moragues C, Rejón E, Szkudlarek M, Terslev L, Uson J, Wakefield R J, Schmidt W A

Hypothesis

To develop education guidelines for the conduct of future European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) courses.

Conclusion

European agreed guidelines for the content and conduct of EULAR ultrasound courses have been developed.

Supporting Evidence

  • The response rate was 82.7% from the first questionnaire and 87.5% from the second questionnaire.
  • A three-level education model was agreed upon for the courses.
  • The course duration will be 20 hours.
  • There will be a maximum of six participants per teacher in practical sessions.
  • 50-60% of total time will be spent on practical sessions.

Takeaway

This study created a plan for teaching doctors how to use ultrasound to look at muscles and joints, making sure they learn in steps from basic to advanced levels.

Methodology

A consensus-based, iterative process using two consecutive questionnaires sent to 29 senior ultrasonographer rheumatologists.

Limitations

The high percentage of respondents from one country (Spain) may have influenced the results.

Participant Demographics

Respondents were from 11 European countries.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1136/ard.2007.082560

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