20 July 2023
In the third of our five-part blog series, we speak to Dr Anna Ciechomska, consultant rheumatologist at NHS Lanarkshire and convenor on the Ultrasound for Rheumatology Practice course this year. Dr Ciechomska also runs a rheumatology ultrasound and teaching clinic at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
She has more than 25 years of practice in ultrasound and over the years she’s learnt how useful ultrasound is in rheumatology practice and will be sharing this with participants on the course.
Why is ultrasound in rheumatology so important?
Ultrasonography increases confidence in the clinical assessment, confirms the diagnosis of arthritis and objectively evaluates the activity of inflammation. Ultrasound is not yet included in the rheumatology portfolio. However, it is very popular among trainees who recognize the role of ultrasound in rheumatology practice, especially when their clinical skills are not yet fully developed. Ultrasound increases their confidence in making therapeutic decisions and assists in procedures such as aspirations and injections.
Ultrasonography is also the first-line imaging modality for the diagnosis of giant cell arthritis (GCA) and is the cornerstone of GCA fast-track pathways established to prevent GCA complications such as blindness and stroke.
Will the participants on the course be able to put their new skills into practice?
The course gives a foundation for further development. Participants will learn how to use ultrasound machines and how to recognize basic pathologies, but they will still need three to six months of practice before they feel competent in scanning. Our role as tutors will be to encourage people to persevere with this task. It will also be helpful to have a mentor who will supervise their further training.
Can this be a refresher course?
The course is designed for clinicians at every level of ultrasound training, including those who have scanned in the clinic but are not fully confident. During the course, they’ll have access to experienced faculty members and have the chance to get feedback on how they are performing and advice on further development. They’ll have the opportunity to discuss concerns with experts and network with peers and meet like-minded people.
Are there any topics in the programme that haven’t been covered before?
In earlier courses, we chose two of the following modules: Hot Swollen Joint, Inflammatory Arthritis, Upper and Lower Extremity Scanning. Last year's course was a combination of modules and also included a demonstration of scanning in GCA. It was met with a very positive reception, which is why we plan to combine all modules together this year as well.
We will offer 10 hours of scanning small and large joints in various rheumatic diseases, GCA scanning demonstration and alternative GCA/joint injection workshops. We plan to add a new lecture on Point of care Rheumatology Ultrasonography (POCRUS) to the eLearning platform, which will join the nine previously developed lectures. Participants who familiarize themselves with educational materials before the course will gain the most, as they will be able to use their theoretical knowledge in practice.