Musculoskeletal sonography in physical and rehabilitation medicine: results of the first worldwide survey study.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the current status of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in the realm of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR), and to determine the effects of a 1-day MSUS course on the awareness of physiatrists.

DESIGN

Survey.

SETTING

International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Congress, 2009, Istanbul.

PARTICIPANTS

Physiatrists attending the congress (n=276) and the MSUS course (n=30).

INTERVENTION

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The survey contained 17 multiple-choice and open-ended questions concerning personal background, perceptions regarding MSUS, and current use of MSUS. Additionally, a group of physicians who attended the 1-day MSUS course before the congress were evaluated twice (before and after the course) to assess the change in their awareness.

RESULTS

Data from 306 physiatrists (with a mean experience of 10.5+/-8.1 y in the field of PMR) were evaluated. Among the participants, 57.8% were using MSUS in their diagnostic algorithms, 90.4% were thinking that physiatrists should perform sonography themselves, and 75.1% declared that they would perform sonography if they had a device. The ratio of subjects who rated MSUS to be essential for their clinical practice increased from 35.7% to 58.6% after the MSUS course (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Physiatrists strongly believe that they should perform MSUS themselves, lack of education and lack of device seem to be important issues to be addressed, and even a 1-day course significantly changes awareness of MSUS.