title: Musculoskeletal ultrasound in rheumatology in Korea: targeted ultrasound initiative survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In collaboration with the Targeted Ultrasound Initiative (TUI), to conduct the first study in Korea to investigate current practices in ultrasound use among Korean rheumatologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  We translated the TUI Global Survey into Korean and added questions to better understand the specific challenges facing rheumatologists in Korea. To target as many rheumatologists in Korea as possible, we created an on-line version of this survey, which was conducted from March to April 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rheumatologists are in charge of ultrasound in many Korean hospitals. Rheumatologists in hospitals and private clinics use ultrasound to examine between one and five patients daily; they use ultrasound for diagnosis more than monitoring and receive compensation of about US$30-50 per patient. There are marked differences in the rates of ultrasound usage between rheumatologists who work in private practice compared with tertiary hospitals. Korean rheumatologists not currently using ultrasound in their practice appear eager to do so.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey provides important insights into the current status of ultrasound in rheumatology in Korea and highlights several priorities; specifically, greater provision of formal training, standardization of reporting and accrual of greater experience among ultrasound users. If these needs are addressed, all rheumatology departments in Korea are likely to use ultrasound or have access to it in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Taeyoung
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4SA, UK.|NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4SA, UK.|NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Emery
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000639:trends; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000639:trends; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000191:economics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D056910:Republic of Korea; D000072140:Rheumatologists / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D016526:Workload
keywords: Korea; musculoskeletal; rheumatology; survey; targeted; ultrasound