title: E-learning in ultrasonography: a web-based approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To propose e-learning methods that address the fundamental problems related to sonographic training in rheumatology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The project was designed for rheumatologists with strong motivation to learn ultrasound. A modular approach was constructed, consisting of a basic 3-day residential course, followed by a 6-month period of web-based tutoring, and culminating in a final 2-day residential course with a formal assessment of competency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The website (http://www.e-sonography.com) was accessed by all 60 participants. A mean of 20 (range 10-80) log-on sessions were registered for each participant, and a mean of 250 min (range 60-600 min) of web access was recorded. A total of 163 sonographic images were submitted by 18 (30%) participants. The majority of the images focused on the following anatomical areas: shoulder 49 (30%), hand 34 (21%) and knee 20 (12%). A total time investment of approximately 14 h was made by the US tutors over the 6-month period for interaction with the participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The e-learning methods described in this report represent the first attempt to adopt a novel technique to circumvent several of the inherent barriers to the many facets of teaching musculoskeletal ultrasound to a wide audience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60035, Italy.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Filippucci
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meenagh
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciapetti
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iagnocco
authors.forename: Allister
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taggart
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grassi
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000193:education*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014584:User-Computer Interface