How a Doctor Can Master Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: A Comparison of Training Formats
Training Formats and Their Features
According to Medtrain, the following formats are available: online courses; in-person practical sessions; blended format (theory online, practice in-person); webinars; live broadcasts; recorded lectures; clinical case reviews; manuals; checklists; testing; expert discussions; professional Telegram groups; digital calculators; AI tools.
Each format serves its purpose: online theory provides flexibility in mastering the material, while in-person practice allows for scanning practice under supervision. The blended format combines both advantages, which is especially important for the manually-dependent MSK-US technique.
International Educational Guidelines
In international practice, structured guidelines and training courses by EFSUMB are used for musculoskeletal ultrasound — specifically the European Course Book: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (2nd Edition, 2019) and EFSUMB Guidelines and Recommendations for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Fodor et al., 2022). A fundamental reference is the Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Jon A. Jacobson, 4th Edition).
Separate documents are dedicated to related areas: contrast-enhanced ultrasound in MSK applications (WFUMB Position Paper, Fischer et al., 2020) and the use of handheld ultrasound devices (EFSUMB Position Paper, Nielsen et al., 2019).
The Concept of Learning Curves and Competency Assessment
International publications emphasize the role of learning curves in mastering ultrasound skills and the availability of tools for assessing clinical competency (Ultrasound Competency Work Group, Damewood et al., 2019). Consensus systems, such as EULAR-OMERACT for synovitis scoring (D'Agostino et al., 2017), are used for standardizing pathology assessment.
| Format | Main Purpose |
|---|---|
| Online Courses / Recorded Lectures | Theoretical foundation, flexible schedule |
| In-Person Practical Sessions | Scanning practice under supervision |
| Blended Format | Theory online + practice in-person |
| Clinical Case Reviews / Expert Discussions | Clinical interpretation |
| Testing / Checklists | Knowledge control and structuring |
Who the Training is For
Medtrain programs are aimed at ultrasound and functional diagnostics doctors, residents, novice specialists, as well as experienced doctors wishing to systematize their knowledge, and medical education instructors.
Information on the accrual of CME credits is not provided in the available fragments [to be clarified].
Frequently asked questions
Which format is optimal for mastering practical MSK-US skills?
In-person practical sessions and the blended format (theory online, practice in-person) provide scanning practice; they are complemented by clinical case reviews and checklists.
Which international guidelines should be relied upon?
On the EFSUMB European Course Book: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (2019), EFSUMB Guidelines (Fodor et al., 2022), and the reference Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Jacobson, 4th ed.).
Are CME credits awarded for the training?
The provided materials do not contain information on the accrual of CME credits [to be clarified].
Are there tools for assessing a doctor's competency in ultrasound?
Yes, international publications describe tools for measuring clinical competency (Ultrasound Competency Work Group, Damewood et al., 2019) and consensus scales, such as EULAR-OMERACT for synovitis scoring.
Which specialists is the training suitable for?
For ultrasound and functional diagnostics doctors, residents, novice and experienced specialists, as well as educators and experts in medical education.