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The power of us: breaking barriers and bridging the gap of ultrasound in rheumatology to empower a new generation

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Abstract

Objective

This study assesses musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) knowledge, attitudes, and practices among young rheumatologists in Mexico, aiming to identify barriers and facilitators to its clinical use.

Methods

An online survey distributed to a network of young rheumatologists captured demographics, institutional, and personal MSUS information. Multivariable analysis identified factors associated with positive MSUS attitudes.

Results

Ninety-six rheumatologists (39.18% national response rate) completed the survey. Of respondents (54.2% females, median age 35.1 years), 81.2% deemed MSUS necessary in clinical rheumatology. The main barriers included limited training access (56.2%) and required training time (54.1%). Lack of scientific evidence was not a major barrier (60.4%). Positive MSUS attitudes were associated with learning from conferences (p = 0.029) and colleagues (p = 0.005), formal (p = 0.043), and in-person training (p = 0.020), MSUS use in practice (p = 0.027), and use by radiologists in their institute (p < 0.001). Interest in learning MSUS (88.5%) was significantly higher in those with positive attitudes (94.4%, p < 0.001). Elastic net analysis identified key drivers, including learning MSUS from conferences, colleagues, and in residency; using MSUS in practice; respondent-performed MSUS; and MSUS use by radiologists. Statistically significant associations were found with using MSUS for synovitis/inflammatory joint disease (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.00–2.05) and MSUS use by radiologists in respondent’s institutes (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.20–2.90).

Conclusion

Most young rheumatologists in Mexico recognize the necessity of MSUS in clinical practice. By addressing identified barriers, encouraging rheumatologist-radiologist collaboration, and establishing a regulatory body to certify rheumatologist’s MSUS experience, there is an opportunity to empower them with the necessary skills for effective MSUS use, ultimately benefiting patient care.

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Acknowledgements

Profound gratitude is extended to the ReumaJoven network and the Mexican College of Rheumatology, as well as the esteemed Deshire Alpizar-Rodriguez MD-PhD and Panagiotis Ermeidis MD for their invaluable contributions that have significantly enriched the depth and scope of this work.

Funding

No funding was received.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reumatología E Inmunología Clínica, Hospital San Jose, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico

    Mario R. Garcia-Pompermayer

  2. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Sarah G. Ayton

  3. Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain

    Juan Molina-Collada

  4. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain

    Juan Molina-Collada

  5. Ultrasound Center and Institute for Rheumatology, Basel, Switzerland

    Giorgio Tamborrini

  6. Instituto de Imagenología, Hospital Zambrano-Hellion, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico

    María Eugenia Díaz Sanchez

  7. Reumatología, Instituto de Medicina Interna, Hospital Zambrano-Hellion, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico

    Karina Silva Luna & Mario Alberto Garza Elizondo

Authors
  1. Mario R. Garcia-Pompermayer
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  4. Giorgio Tamborrini
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Contributions

Writing of manuscript: GPMR, AS.

Final approval of manuscript: GPMR, AS, MCJ, TG, DSME, SLK, GEMA.

Creation and/or compilation of images and tables: AS, GPMR.

Critical review of manuscript: GPMR, AS, MCJ, TG, DSME, SLK, GEMA.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mario R. Garcia-Pompermayer.

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Key Points

Our study pioneers a comprehensive examination of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) adoption among young rheumatologists in Mexico, providing a holistic understanding of factors influencing its integration, from driving forces to obstacles.

The study elucidates key drivers linked to positive MSUS attitudes, such as learning from conferences and colleagues, in-person training, practice use, and collaboration with radiologists, offering actionable strategies for fostering a conducive MSUS environment.

By examining international MSUS education models, our research highlights the global drive for standardization, contributing to the discourse about adapting educational strategies to local contexts, ensuring international relevance.

We call for a paradigm shift in MSUS education, advocating for its standardized and formal integration into medical education, thus elevating MSUS from sporadic courses to a cornerstone of rheumatological practice, both in Mexico and comparable healthcare settings worldwide.

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Garcia-Pompermayer, M.R., Ayton, S.G., Molina-Collada, J. et al. The power of us: breaking barriers and bridging the gap of ultrasound in rheumatology to empower a new generation. Clin Rheumatol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-024-06973-w

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