Canadian Rheumatology Ultrasound Society Basic Course

The use of of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK US) has increased amongst Canadian rheumatologists in the last 10 years, but we still trail other countries in this regard. MSK US complements the physical examination by allowing for superior visualization of synovitis and erosive changes compared to conventional radiography, and provides detail that supplements MRI and CT by providing dynamic real time images, while costing less. MSKUS expands the diagnostic and prognostic ability at the bedside and improves the safety, accuracy and success of joint aspirations and injections. Few rheumatologist have formal training to use this modality, thus this basic MSK US course focuses on the needs of rheumatologists and their patients. This course is a mixture of online didactic teaching over 2 weekends and virtual asynchronous feedback of ultrasound scanning homework after each weekend. An anatomy review by an anatomist at the University of Toronto provides knowledge of key anatomical joint areas scanned. Participants will engage in live lectures and interactive hands-on ultrasound sessions over two weekends to learn scanning technique for those specified areas. In between the weekend sessions, the attendee will practice ultrasound scanning and submit images for review by expert faculty and receive personalized feedback. Participants will also read key MSK US papers and complete online quizzes. Completion of the US weekends, US homework and these online quizzes will lead to a Level 1 completion certificate.