EFSUMB COMPASS for Rheumatologists dissemination and implementation – an international survey.

Abstract

Aim: The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) competency assessment (COMPASS) for rheumatologists performing musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) was developed and published 2 years ago. It consists of a 3 level competency system. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the EFSUMB COMPASS has been disseminated and implemented and to assess the potential obstacles encountered. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed by e-mail to all rheumatologists certified as EFSUMB level 3. Results: Seventeen (85%) rheumatologists considered that the EFSUMB COMPASS is useful for training MSUS. The majority of them (17; 85%) had informed their colleagues or national rheumatology societies about the EFSUMB COMPASS. The most common obstacle encountered for the implementation of the COMPASS was the lack of time for supervision of the trainees (9; 45%). A total of 83 rheumatologists had been trained and assessed for competency in the three EFSUMB levels. Conclusion: This survey highlights the current status of EFSUMB COMPASS implementation in European countries with an expected increased number of rheumatologists being able to train and assess new trainees. Still, more efforts should be done for a higher implementation of EFSUMB COMPASS across European countries.

Current State of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training and Implementation among Rheumatologists in Arab Countries

“…An English-language questionnaire with multiple-choice questions was designed in order to analyze the current state of training and practice of MSUS by Arab rheumatologists, following some European, American and Asian studies [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. It was distributed to Arab rheumatologists who were present at the Panarab Congress of Rheumatology "ARLAR 2016", which took place from 24 to 26 March 2016 in Marrakech in Morocco.…”

The EFSUMB Guidelines and Recommendations for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – Part I: Extraarticular Pathologies

“…EULAR has organized dozens of MSUS courses and published guidelines for conducting these courses (basic, intermediate, and advanced levels) [18]. The minimum training requirements for rheumatologists performing MSUS were also published, and a 3-level competency assessment (COMPASS) was established [9] and implemented [19]. Recommendations for Teaching the Teachers courses have been developed [20].…”

Why the EFSUMB guidelines in musculoskeletal ultrasonography are necessary?

“…The high interest in using MSUS in the daily professional life was stimulated also by the medical scientific societies, by organizing courses, workshops or congresses [for example the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) or European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) in Europe]. In the last years, many clinical practice guidelines or position statements regarding MSUS were published [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Being considered an operator-dependent technique, standardization of the US was a matter of debate over the years.…”