Musculoskeletal Ultrasound as a Motivator for Selecting a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program in the United States

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the influence of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) curriculum on applicants during the residency-selection process. A survey of 666 applicants for the Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard/Spaulding Rehabilitation Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation programs was conducted in June 2020. A total of 180 respondents scored the influence of a MSKUS curriculum on their decision making for residency selection. In addition, applicants were asked to rank specific areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation that influenced their decision making. Participants most commonly included MSKUS in their top three areas of interest when constructing their rank order list. When asked whether MSKUS presence within a program had an effect during the interview-selection process, 71% responded with “very important” or “absolutely essential” (P < 0.001). For 74% of applicants, exposure to MSKUS in residency was an important factor when creating their rank order list (P < 0.001). More than 92% of applicants stated that they are “likely” or “very likely” to use MSKUS in their future practice and 83% would recommend a program with MSKUS to future candidates (P < 0.001). Based on these results, a large percentage of physical medicine and rehabilitation applicants intend on using MSKUS in their future practice. Therefore, MSKUS may be an important factor for residency selection.

Variability in procedure volume of physical medicine and rehabilitation residents graduating from 2014 to 2021

“…Musculoskeletal ultrasound and injection skills remain important considerations for PM&R residents. [14][15][16][17][18] Up to 71% of prospective PM&R residency applicants rate the presence of a musculoskeletal ultrasound curriculum as "very important" or "absolutely essential" in deciding whether to interview at a residency program. 13 A survey of PM&R residency program directors highlighted several barriers to teaching musculoskeletal ultrasonography including insufficient expertise of instructors, poor access to equipment, and lack of structured curricula.…”

“…However, at least 20% of residents do not meet the minimum requirements for Ultrasound. Musculoskeletal ultrasound and injection skills remain important considerations for PM&R residents 14–18 . Up to 71% of prospective PM&R residency applicants rate the presence of a musculoskeletal ultrasound curriculum as “very important” or “absolutely essential” in deciding whether to interview at a residency program 13 .…”

Editorial: Advances in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

“…As more and more residency programs involved in rehabilitation are incorporating ultrasound in their curriculum ( 1 , 2 ) and as many practicing rehabilitation professionals are getting trained in both basic and advanced ultrasonography ( 3 , 4 ), the applications of this technology within our field increase.…”

Longitudinal Ultrasound-Guided Injection Curriculum for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents

“…2,3 An increasing number of PM&R residents are pursuing careers that use US, 4,5 and in a recent survey of medical students interested in physiatry, 92% indicated that they were "likely" or "very likely" to use US in their future practice. 6 In 2015, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Review Committee for PM&R established an acceptable minimum exposure of at least 10 observed or performed US procedures during residency training. 7 However, these limited procedure numbers are unlikely to adequately prepare physicians to perform these injections effectively in independent practice.…”