title: Exploring Occupational Therapists' Perceptions of the Usefulness of Musculoskeletal Sonography in Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the potential utility of musculoskeletal sonographic imaging in upper-extremity rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two occupational therapists in an outpatient hand rehabilitation clinic were recruited by convenience, were trained in the use of sonography, and implemented sonographic imaging in their clinical practice. Qualitative data were obtained during and after the implementation period by means of questionnaires and interviews. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation were completed in an iterative process that culminated in a thematic analysis of the therapists' perceptions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data indicate four potential areas of utility for musculoskeletal sonography in upper-extremity rehabilitation: (1) mastering anatomy and pathology, (2) augmenting clinical reasoning, (3) supplementing intervention, and (4) building evidence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Numerous potential uses were identified that would benefit both therapist and client. Further exploration of complexities and efficacy for increasing patient outcomes is recommended to determine best practices for the use of musculoskeletal sonography in upper-extremity rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, CWCE, RMSK, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor, Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; sroll@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Shawn C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Roll
authors.affiliation: Julie McLaughlin Gray, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLaughlin Gray
authors.affiliation: Gelya Frank, PhD, FSfAA, is Professor, Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Gelya
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Monique Wolkoff, OTD, OTR/L, HTC, PAM, is Therapist, Meridian Hand Therapy, Thousand Oaks, CA. At the time of the study, she was Clinical Doctoral Resident, Keck Hospital, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolkoff
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014463:Ultrasonography; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging