Subject(s)
Rheumatology , Ultrasonography , Humans , Rheumatology/education , Rheumatology/methods , Predictive Value of Tests , Clinical Competence , Curriculum , Education, Medical, Graduate/methods , Point-of-Care Testing , Rheumatic Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Rheumatic Diseases/therapy , Rheumatologists/educationABSTRACT
Antecedentes y objetivo: La ecografía se ha incorporado en los últimos años a la formación de los residentes en reumatología, fruto de su creciente expansión en práctica clínica diaria. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar la calidad percibida de la formación en ecografía de los residentes en los servicios de reumatología de España. Material y métodos: Encuesta online dirigida a aquellos reumatólogos que iniciaron su periodo de formación en reumatología entre los años 2009 y 2019. Resultados: Ciento treinta y nueve reumatólogos participaron en la encuesta, y el 97,1% contaban con al menos un ecógrafo en su centro de formación. Hasta un 51,1% realizaron una rotación en ecografía y el 56% contaban con una consulta de ecografía. El acceso a los cursos SER fue alto (87,8%) mientras que fue limitado a los cursos EULAR (17,3%); el 69,1% de los residentes no completó la acreditación de competencias. La valoración más alta en el grado de formación lo recibieron la valoración de actividad articular inflamatoria, entesis y enfermedades microcristalinas. La valoración de la formación en ecografía durante la residencia fue buena en el 36% de los casos, regular en un 28,1%, mala en un 18% y excelente en un 12,9%. Un 88% de los encuestados considera que ha mejorado su práctica clínica como reumatólogo. Conclusiones: La mayoría de residentes han realizado rotaciones en ecografía. La participación en los cursos de ecografía de la SER es alta, moderada en los cursos EULAR, mientras que solo una minoría completaron la acreditación de competencias. El grado global de satisfacción de formación en ecografía durante la residencia es bueno y, en opinión de los residentes, contribuye a la mejora de las competencias como reumatólogos.(AU)
Background and objective: Ultrasound has been included in the training of residents in rheumatology in recent years, as a result of its increased use in daily clinical practice. Our objective is to evaluate the perceived quality of ultrasound training of residents in rheumatology services in Spain. Material and methods: Online survey aimed at rheumatologists who began their training in rheumatology between 2009 and 2019. Results: One hundred thirty-nine rheumatologists participated in the survey, of which 97.1% had at least one ultrasound machine in their training centre. Up to 51.1% performed a rotation in ultrasound and 56% had an ultrasound consultation. Access to SER courses was high (87.8%) while access to EULAR courses was limited (17.3%) and up to 69.1% of residents did not complete the competency accreditation. Training in evaluation of inflammatory joint activity, entheses and microcrystalline diseases received the highest scores. Evaluation of ultrasound training during the residency was good in 36% of cases, fair in 28.1%, poor in 18% and excellent in 12.9%. Of those surveyed, 88% consider their clinical practice as a rheumatologist to have improved. Conclusions: Most residents have performed ultrasound rotations. Participation in SER ultrasound courses is high and moderate in EULAR courses, while only a minority completed the competency accreditation. The overall degree of satisfaction with training in ultrasound during residency is good and, in the opinion of residents, contributes to the improvement of their skills as rheumatologists.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Rheumatology , Spain , Ultrasonography , Staff Development , Professional Training , Surveys and Questionnaires , Rheumatologists , Cross-Sectional Studies , Rheumatologists/educationABSTRACT
SARS-COV-2 infection has spread worldwide since it originated in December 2019, in Wuhan, China. The pandemic has largely demonstrated the resilience of the world's health systems and is the greatest health emergency since World War II. There is no single therapeutic approach to the treatment of COVID-19 and the associated immune disorder. The lack of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) has led different countries to tackle the disease based on case series, or from results of observational studies with off-label drugs. We as rheumatologists in general, and specifically rheumatology fellows, have been on the front line of the pandemic, modifying our activities and altering our training itinerary. We have attended patients, we have learned about the management of the disease and from our previous experience with drugs for arthritis and giant cell arteritis, we have used these drugs to treat COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Biological Factors/therapeutic use , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Physician's Role , Rheumatologists , Autoimmune Diseases/complications , Autoimmune Diseases/drug therapy , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/immunology , Drug Therapy, Combination , Education, Medical, Graduate , Fellowships and Scholarships , Global Health , Humans , Immunocompromised Host , Opportunistic Infections/complications , Opportunistic Infections/drug therapy , Opportunistic Infections/immunology , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Rheumatic Diseases/complications , Rheumatic Diseases/drug therapy , Rheumatic Diseases/immunology , Rheumatologists/education , Rheumatologists/organization & administration , Rheumatology/education , Rheumatology/methods , Rheumatology/organization & administration , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a fundamental diagnostic tool in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), allowing us an earlier diagnosis of the disease compared to radiography. OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of a recognition test on SpA MRI lesions and theoretical knowledge, before and after carrying out an educational intervention (hands-on workshop). We also evaluated whether the successes in the tests were associated with the individual characteristics of the participants. METHODS: A test was carried out involving 10 questions (seven for image recognition and three for theoretical knowledge) before and after the attendance to an MRI workshop in SpA performed in different cities in Argentina. The number of correct answers was assessed before and after the workshop; good performance was defined as the achievement of 6 correct answers on average between the pre- and post-test. Participants' characteristics were collected. RESULTS: A total of 106 participants were evaluated. Average of correct answers before and after the workshop were 5.3 and 6.8, respectively (P = .0001); 65% of participants achieved good performance. Performance is not associated with the characteristics of trained physicians. CONCLUSION: MRI training workshops in SpA allow rheumatologists to improve recognition of acute inflammatory and structural lesions. The long-term effects of such training need further evaluation.
Subject(s)
Education, Medical, Graduate/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Rheumatologists/education , Sacroiliac Joint/pathology , Spondylarthritis/diagnosis , Adult , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Many factors influence a patient's preference in engaging in shared decision making (SDM). Several training programs have been developed for teaching SDM to physicians, but none of them focused on the patients' preferences. We developed an SDM training program for rheumatologists with a specific focus on patients' preferences and assessed its effects. METHODS: A training program was developed, pilot tested, and given to 30 rheumatologists. Immediately after the training and 10 weeks later, rheumatologists were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the training. Patients were asked before and after the training to complete a questionnaire on patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Ten weeks after the training, 57% of the rheumatologists felt they were capable of estimating the need of patients to engage in SDM, 62% felt their communication skills had improved, and 33% reported they engaged more in SDM. Up to 268 patients were included. Overall, patient satisfaction was high, but there were no statistically significant differences in patient satisfaction before and after the training. CONCLUSION: The training was received well by the participating rheumatologists. Even in a population of rheumatologists that communicates well, 62% reported improvement. The training program increased awareness about the principles of SDM in patients and physicians, and improved physicians' communicative skills, but did not lead to further improvement in patients' satisfaction, which was already high.
Subject(s)
Clinical Decision-Making/methods , Decision Making, Shared , Patient Preference/psychology , Rheumatologists/education , Rheumatologists/psychology , Adult , Aged , Awareness , Communication , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nurse Specialists/education , Nurse Specialists/psychology , Patient Participation , Patient Satisfaction , Physician-Patient Relations , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with significant potential morbidity and mortality. Substantial gaps have been documented between the development and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) and their implementation in practice. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multi-component knowledge transfer intervention to implement a CPG for the management of SLE (CPG-SLE). METHODS: The study is an open, multicentre, controlled trial with random allocation by clusters to intervention or control. Clusters are four public university hospitals of the Canary Islands Health Service where rheumatologists are invited to participate. Patients diagnosed with SLE at least one year prior to recruitment are selected. Rheumatologists in intervention group receive a short educational group programme to both update their knowledge about SLE management according to CPG-SLE recommendations and to acquire knowledge and training on use of the patient-centred approach, a decision support tool embedded in the electronic clinical record and a quarterly feedback report containing information on management of SLE patients. Primary endpoint is change in self-perceived disease activity. Secondary endpoints are adherence of professionals to CPG-SLE recommendations, health-related quality of life, patient perception of their participation in decision making, attitudes of professionals towards shared decision making, knowledge of professionals about SLE and use of healthcare resources. Calculated sample size is 412 patients. Data will be collected from questionnaires and clinical records. Length of follow-up will be 18 months. Multilevel mixed models with repeated time measurements will be used to analyze changes in outcomes over time. Cost-effectiveness, from both social and healthcare services perspectives, will be analyzed by measuring effectiveness in terms of quality-adjusted life years gained. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses are planned. DISCUSSION: Impact of CPGs in clinical practice could be improved by applying proven value interventions to implement them. The results of this ongoing trial are expected to generate important scientifically valid and reproducible information not only on clinical effectiveness but also on cost-effectiveness of a multi-component intervention for implementation of a CPG based on communication technologies for chronic patients in the hospital setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT03537638 . Registered on 25 May 2018.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/therapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Rheumatologists/education , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Hospitals, Public , Humans , Program Evaluation , Research Design , Spain , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Neuromuscular ultrasound has become an essential tool in the diagnostic evaluation of various neuromuscular disorders, and, as such, there is growing interest in neuromuscular ultrasound training. Effective training is critical in mastering this modality. Our aim was to develop consensus-based guidelines for neuromuscular ultrasound training courses. A total of 18 experts participated. Expert opinion was sought through the Delphi method using 4 consecutive electronic surveys. A high degree of consensus was achieved with regard to the general structure of neuromuscular ultrasound training; the categorization of training into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels; the learning objectives; and the curriculum for each level. In this study, a group of neuromuscular ultrasound experts established consensus-based guidelines for neuromuscular ultrasound training. These guidelines can be used in the development of the specialty and the standardization of neuromuscular ultrasound training courses and workshops.
Subject(s)
Clinical Competence , Curriculum , Guidelines as Topic , Neurologists/education , Neuromuscular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography/standards , Delphi Technique , Humans , Physiatrists/education , Radiologists/education , Rheumatologists/educationABSTRACT
Objectives: To document the current training, implementation and role of modern musculoskeletal imaging techniques: ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and positron emission tomography, among rheumatologists in the member countries of the EULAR. Methods: English-language questionnaires for each imaging modality developed by a EULAR task force were sent out to national and international scientific societies as well as imaging experts in the given modalities involved in research and/or training. The surveys were distributed via an online survey tool (SurveyMonkey). Simple descriptive and summary statistics were calculated from the responses. Results: More than 90% of ultrasound (US) experts reported the availability of a US unit in their department. Suspicion of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritides were the main clinical indications for performing US for diagnostic purposes. Suspicion of sacroiliitis and degenerative spine disease were the most common indications to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) for diagnostic purposes, while positron emission tomography was mainly performed to diagnose large vessel vasculitis and to investigate fever of unknown origin. The reported percentage of rheumatologists performing US was highly variable, ranging from more than 80% in 6% of countries to less than 10% in 15% of countries. The majority of experts (77%) reported that their national rheumatology societies organise musculoskeletal US courses, while courses in MRI or CT organised by the national rheumatology societies were less commonly reported (29% and 8%, respectively). Conclusions: Rheumatologists in Europe utilise modern imaging techniques; however, access to the techniques and training offered is varied.
Subject(s)
Musculoskeletal System/diagnostic imaging , Rheumatologists/education , Rheumatology/organization & administration , Surveys and Questionnaires/standards , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnostic imaging , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/epidemiology , Europe/epidemiology , Fever of Unknown Origin/diagnostic imaging , Fever of Unknown Origin/epidemiology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Musculoskeletal System/pathology , Osteoarthritis/diagnostic imaging , Osteoarthritis/epidemiology , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Rheumatoid Vasculitis/diagnostic imaging , Rheumatoid Vasculitis/epidemiology , Rheumatologists/statistics & numerical data , Rheumatology/trends , Sacroiliitis/diagnostic imaging , Sacroiliitis/epidemiology , Spine/pathology , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/diagnostic imaging , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical data , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Ultrasonography/methodsSubject(s)
Learning , Life , Rheumatologists/education , Rheumatologists/psychology , Female , Goals , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , OntarioABSTRACT
Rheumatology is one of the most important clinical subspecialties in Iran. In the past 2 decades, Iran has witnessed an immense progress in the field of rheumatology training and research, which has led to an increase in the number of rheumatologists and research performed in the field of musculoskeletal disorders. These advances have made way for greater access to subspecialty care for rheumatic disorders. To write this article, we performed a systematic literature search using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar and SID databases. In the first part of the manuscript, we will provide information about the history of rheumatology, rheumatology practice, referral system, the rheumatology training in medical schools, training of rheumatology subspecialists and post-graduate program of continuing medical education for rheumatologists in Iran as well as the Iranian Rheumatology Society. We will then focus on rheumatology research, top researchers, research centers focused on rheumatic disorders, the characteristics of common rheumatic diseases and ultimately biologics and biosimilars in Iran.
Subject(s)
Education, Medical , Rheumatic Diseases , Rheumatologists/education , Rheumatology/education , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Biological Products/therapeutic use , Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals/therapeutic use , Curriculum , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Rheumatic Diseases/diagnosis , Rheumatic Diseases/drug therapy , Rheumatic Diseases/epidemiology , SpecializationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of a multidisciplinary training program in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for axial spondyloarthritis in daily clinical practice. METHODS: After two years of training workshops for radiologists and rheumatologists, we designed a survey to assess changes in: 1) communication and collaboration between departments; 2) radiologists' interest and keeping up to date in axial spondyloarthritis and rheumatologists' training in MRI; 3) number of MRI studies done; 4) availability of protocols about technical requirements for studying axial spondyloarthritis by MRI and of standardized reporting templates; 5) evaluation and management of axial spondyloarthritis; 6) areas of improvement. RESULTS: After 50 workshops, 96 rheumatologists and 51 radiologists completed the survey. CONCLUSIONS: Among radiologists and rheumatologists, multidisciplinary training in MRI for axial spondyloarthritis seems to have a positive influence on teamwork as well as on the management and evaluation of patients with axial spondyloarthritis.
Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Program Evaluation , Radiology/education , Rheumatology/education , Spondylarthritis/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Radiologists/education , Rheumatologists/education , Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most prevalent chronic rheumatic disease in children and young people (CYP) and a major cause of pain and disability. The vast majority of the world's children and their families live in less resourced countries (LRCs) and face significant socioeconomic and healthcare challenges. Current recommendations for standards of care and treatment for children with JIA do not consider children living in less resourced countries. In order to develop appropriate recommendations for the care of CYP with JIA in less resourced countries a meeting of experienced pediatric rheumatologists from less resourced countries was convened with additional input from a steering group of international pediatric rheumatologists with experience in developing recommendations and standards of care for JIA. Following a needs assessment survey of healthcare workers caring for CYP with JIA in LRC, a literature review was carried out and management recommendations formulated using Delphi technique and a final consensus conference. Responses from the needs assessment were received from 121/483 (25%) practitioners from 25/49 (51%) less resourced countries. From these responses, the initial 84 recommendations were refined and expanded through a series of 3 online Delphi rounds. A final list of 90 recommendations was proposed for evaluation. Evidence for each statement was reviewed, graded, and presented to the consensus group. The degree of consensus, level of agreement, and level of evidence for these recommendations are reported. Recommendations arrived at by consensus for CYP with JIA in less resourced countries cover 5 themes: (1) diagnosis, (2) referral and monitoring, (3) education and training, (4) advocacy and networks, and (5) research. Thirty-five statements were drafted. All but one statement achieved 100% consensus. The body of published evidence was small and the quality of evidence available for critical appraisal was low. Our recommendations offer novel insights and present consensus-based strategies for the management of JIA in less resourced countries. The emphasis on communicable and endemic diseases influencing the diagnosis and treatment of JIA serves as a valuable addition to existing JIA guidelines. With increasing globalization, these recommendations as a whole provide educational and clinical utility for clinicians worldwide. The low evidence base for our recommendations reflects a shortage of research specific to less resourced countries and serves as an impetus for further inquiry towards optimizing care for children with JIA around the world.
Subject(s)
Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Juvenile/drug therapy , Disease Management , Rheumatologists/education , Adolescent , Child , Consensus , Delphi Technique , Developing Countries , Humans , Young AdultABSTRACT
Deborah Palmer, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, North Middlesex University Hospital, and Yasser El Miedany, Consultant Rheumatologist, discuss ways to close the gap between disease control and patient empowerment.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/nursing , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/psychology , Motivational Interviewing/methods , Patient-Centered Care/methods , Rheumatologists/education , Empathy/physiology , Humans , Imagery, Psychotherapy , Motivation/physiology , Nurse-Patient Relations , Optimism/psychology , Physician-Patient Relations , Procrastination , Virtual RealitySubject(s)
Arthroscopy/instrumentation , Arthroscopy/trends , Rheumatology/methods , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/surgery , Arthroscopy/economics , Humans , Operating Rooms , Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery , Rheumatologists/education , Synovectomy/trends , Synovitis/diagnosis , Synovitis/surgery , Ultrasonography/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Mexican Accreditation Council for Rheumatology certifies trainees (TR) on an annual basis using both a multiple-choice question (MCQ) test and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). For 2013 and 2014, the OSCE pass mark (PM) was set by criterion referencing as ≥6 (CPM), whereas overall rating of borderline performance method (BPM) was added for 2015 and 2016 accreditations. We compared OSCE TR performance according to CPM and BPM, and examined whether correlations between MCQ and OSCE were affected by PM. METHODS: Forty-three (2015) and 37 (2016) candidates underwent both tests. Altogether, OSCE were integrated by 15 validated stations; one evaluator per station scored TR performance according to a station-tailored check-list and a Likert scale (fail, borderline, above range) of overall performance. A composite OSCE score was derived for each candidate. Appropriate statistics were used. RESULTS: Mean (±standard derivation [SD]) MCQ test scores were 6.6±0.6 (2015) and 6.4±0.6 (2016) with 5 candidates receiving a failing score each year. Mean (±SD) OSCE scores were 7.4±0.6 (2015) and 7.3±0.6 (2016); no candidate received a failing CPM score in either 2015 or 2016 OSCE, although 21 (49%) and 19 (51%) TR, respectively, received a failing BPM score (calculated as 7.3 and 7.4, respectively). Stations for BPM ranged from 4.5 to 9.5; overall, candidates showed better performance in CPM. In all, MCQ correlated with composite OSCE, r=0.67 (2015) and r=0.53 (2016); P≤.001. Trainees with a passing BPM score in OSCE had higher MCQ scores than those with a failing score. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, OSCE-PM selection impacted candidates' performance but had a limited affect on correlation between clinical and practical examinations.
Subject(s)
Academic Performance/standards , Certification/standards , Clinical Competence/standards , Education, Medical, Graduate/standards , Educational Measurement/standards , Rheumatologists/education , Educational Measurement/methods , Humans , Mexico , Rheumatology/educationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the intra- and inter-observer reliability of Ultrasound (US) in scoring B-mode, Doppler synovitis and combined B-mode and Doppler synovitis scores in different peripheral joints of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Four rheumatologists with a formal training in Musculoskeletal US (MSKUS) particularly focus on definitions and scoring synovitis on B-mode and Doppler mode participated in a patient- based reliability exercise on 16 active RA patients. The four rheumatologists independently and consecutively performed a B-mode and Power Doppler (PD) US assessment of 7 joints of each patient in two rounds in a blinded fashion. Each joint was semi quantitatively scored from 0 to 3 for B-mode Synovitis (BS), Doppler Synovitis (DS), and combined B-mode/Doppler synovitis (CS). Intraobserver reliability was assessed by Cohen's κ. Interobserver reliability was assessed by unweight Light's κ. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of synovitis on B-mode was 83% of joints; scores ranging from grade 1 in 18% of joints, to grade 3 in 33%. In 55% of joints synovial PD signal was detected and the distribution of scores range from 14% of joints for grade 3, to 26% for grade 2. After a total of 448 joints scanned with 896 adquired images our intraobserver and interobserver reliability was good to excellent for most of the joints. CONCLUSION: Formal, structured and continuous training in musculoskeletal ultrasound would bring a good to excellent reproducibility in rheumatological hands with a high reliability in real time acquisition BS, DS and CS modalities for scoring synovitis in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.