Situation of Spanish echography in Spanish rheumatology 2012.
OBJECTIVE
To know the situation of ultrasound in Spanish rheumatology.


METHODS
A National survey addressed to all rheumatology units in hospitals with at least 200 beds. The questionnaire studied: a) the availability and the model of the ultrasound equipment, b) the degree of training, c) the purpose and areas of ultrasound examination, d) the usefulness, and e) the relevance of ultrasound in the training of residents.


RESULTS
169 units of the 234 surveyed physicians answered the questionnaire. The availability of ultrasound equipment was high (90%), 38.7% of rheumatologists use ultrasound, although half of the units had a rheumatologist especially dedicated to performing them. Training plans have enabled the incorporation of ultrasound, but there are areas that could be improved. The utility in routine clinical practice was scored at 7.8 (0-10), and ultrasound was integrated in the diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. There is a broad consensus on the need to include ultrasound in the training of residents. Administration is adding ultrasound to the portfolio of specialty services.


CONCLUSIONS
In just 15 years, ultrasound has become available in 90% of rheumatology units from being previously inexistent. Its use is extensive, integrated into clinical practice and linked to the decision making processes. Training plans have been effective, but areas for improvement were identified, and there is a broad consensus on the need to integrate ultrasound in residents' training.
Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. eugenio.demiguel@gmail.com
Eugenio
E
de Miguel
Jose Luis
JL
Andreu
Esperanza
E
Naredo
Ingrid
I
Möller
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*