Date of Award

January 2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Medical Doctor (MD)

Department

Medicine

First Advisor

Evelyn Hsieh

Abstract

MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING TRAINING, USE, AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG RHEUMATOLOGISTS IN CHINA

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) has been extensively studied and used by rheumatologists in Europe and the Americas, but less is known about MSUS use in Asia. This study reports the most up-to-date recommendations for MSUS use in rheumatology globally and is also the first study to characterize the current practices, training, and perceptions regarding MSUS of rheumatologists in China. A 43-question survey was designed and distributed via mobile application to 2,164 members of the Chinese Rheumatology Association with a response rate of 25%. The results showed low rates of MSUS training (24%) and current MSUS use (17%) in China. However, there was a high level of interest in learning MSUS, especially among younger respondents. Lack of access to training programs and user variability in skill were seen as significant barriers to the uptake of MSUS. Thus, despite low rates of MSUS training and current MSUS utilization, the vast majority of respondents believe that MSUS is needed in rheumatology practice and should become a standard clinical tool in rheumatology. Importantly, lack of access to MSUS training programs and user variability in skill were seen as significant obstacles to the more widespread use of MSUS, which suggests a need for more standardized, high quality MSUS training in China.

Comments

This thesis is restricted to Yale network users only. This thesis is permanently embargoed from public release.

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