E-learning in ultrasonography: a web-based approach.
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.
Filippucci
Emilio
E
Department of Rheumatology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60035, Italy.
Meenagh
Gary
G
Ciapetti
Alessandro
A
Iagnocco
Annamaria
A
Taggart
Allister
A
Grassi
Walter
W
D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000193:education*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014584:User-Computer Interface