Patricia Cornell

The EULAR points to consider for health professionals undertaking musculoskeletal ultrasound for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

Musculoskeletal ultrasound has evolved into an important clinical decision-making tool by assisting in the diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, monitoring disease activity and therapeutic response, and guiding interventions.1–7 The role of the non-medical health professional has advanced, with many undertaking training and using musculoskeletal ultrasound to improve patient care and in doing so, increasing their scope of practice. Health professionals with clinical expertise and experience using ultrasound are also providing training for colleagues and medical clinicians. As previously described among rheumatologists,8 ,9 the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound and training undertaken varies significantly between different professional groups and across Europe. Guidelines to support training for rheumatologists have been formulated10 but currently there are no recommendations to support the education and training needs of non-medical health professionals using musculoskeletal ultrasound. A European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) task force was established to reach a consensus on the role of, and education and training needs of health professionals undertaking musculoskeletal ultrasound for the management of people with …

SAT0643-HPR Points To Consider for Health Professionals Undertaking Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: Progress of A Eular Task Force

Background Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) has evolved into an important method for identifying musculoskeletal abnormalities, confirming the diagnosis in patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis, monitoring therapeutic response, influencing clinical decision making and guiding interventions. The role of the non-medical health professional has advanced with many health professionals undertaking training and using MSUS to extend their scope of practice. Guidelines to support training for rheumatologists have been identified but currently there are not any recommendations to support the education and training needs of non-medical health professionals using MSUS. Objectives The EULAR Task Force was established to reach a consensus on the role and education and training needs of non-medical health professionals undertaking MSUS for the management of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Methods The EULAR Task Force comprised an expert group from 11 European countries. The Task Force met twice and included rheumatologists, nurses, physiotherapists, a radiologist, radiographer and podiatrist with patient representation. In the first meeting the aims of the Task Force were defined and fourteen research questions were developed. This was followed by a comprehensive systematic search of the literature to identify publications on the role of health professionals using MSUS, their competency requirements and training undertaken. During the second meeting the Task Force were presented with the results of the literature review which supported the formulation and consensus of “points to consider”. The level of agreement between task force members for each “point to consider” was determined after the second meeting. Results In total, seven “points to consider” were formulated. Two points covered the role and scope of health professionals using musculoskeletal ultrasound and one point addressed the application and feasibility in daily practice. Three “points to consider” focused on the training and competency required by health professionals and the final point addressed the added value in daily practice. The strength of the “points to consider” was D based on the category of evidence (3–4). A high level of agreement (range 9.0–9.7) was achieved between Task Force members. Additionally, the Task Force agreed upon eight topics for the future research agenda. Conclusions Seven “points to consider” for health professionals using MSUS for the management of patients with RMDs were developed using a combination of research-based evidence and expert consensus approach. Disclosure of Interest None declared

SP0014 The Challenges of Undertaking Ultrasound - Framework for Practice. A European Perspective on Commpetencies for HPS

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is probably considered one of the most important developments in rheumatology clinical practice in recent years. It offers the potential for health professionals to improve their diagnostic skills, manage clinical decisions regarding drug therapy and increase the standard of patient care. It is most often employed by Rheumatologists or sonographers but increasingly nurses, physiotherapists and podiatrists are starting to use ultrasound to monitor disease progression, check diagnosis and guide intra-articular injections. But what competencies do health professionals need to show before they are deemed proficient in ultrasonography? This session aims to provide an overview of the competencies employed within the european union that enable health professionals to safely and competently undertake ultrasonography for patients with inflammatory arthritis. Disclosure of Interest P. Cornell Employee of: Abbvie DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.6321