Evolution and impact of a dedicated ultrasound clinic on clinical rheumatology practice at an academic medical center
Authors' conclusion
These findings suggest a dedicated RhUS clinic can be a valuable resource in clinical rheumatology practice.
Study context
- Population
- Patients and rheumatologists at an academic medical center with a dedicated rheumatologic US clinic and two affiliated community practices, 2018–2021
- Exposure
- Academic medical center with a dedicated rheumatologic ultrasonography (RhUS) clinic vs two affiliated community medical practices without RhUS
- Outcome
- Change in XR and MRI orders
- Follow-up
- 2018 to 2021
Methodological detailsclaims data analysis and surveys, pre- and post-RhUS visit patient surveys, referring physician surveys, comparison with community medical practices without RhUS
- Claims data analysis and surveys
- Pre- and post-RhUS visit patient surveys
- Referring physician surveys
- Comparison with community medical practices without RhUS
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
| Group | X-rays (XR) orders change | Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) orders change |
|---|---|---|
| Academic medical center (AMC) | −76 % | −43 % |
| Community medical practices (CMPs) | 163 % | −24 % |
X-rays (XR) orders change
Academic medical center (AMC)−76 %
Community medical practices (CMPs)163 %
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) orders change
Academic medical center (AMC)−43 %
Community medical practices (CMPs)−24 %
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Referring physician pre-RhUS assessment vs RhUS results
- Discordance between referring physician (RP) pre-RhUS assessments and RhUS results was common
Patient surveys
- RhUS led to increased disease understanding and impacted thoughts and decisions about therapy
Referring physician surveys
- RPs found utility in RhUS across a range of indications and were confident with RhUS results
Original publication
Evolution and impact of a dedicated ultrasound clinic on clinical rheumatology practice at an academic medical center. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 6 October 2023. doi:10.
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