Background/Purpose: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) conveys diagnostic and therapeutic value in rheumatology, sports medicine, and other specialties. However, formal MSKUS training is rarely integrated into undergraduate medical education (UME) curricula in the United States, with scant literature in this setting. Our institution incorporates MSKUS into its pre-clinical curriculum to facilitate integration of gross anatomy and MSK physical exam skills. To address the gap between our pre-clinical MSKUS learning experience and the clinical curriculum, we developed two structured electives offering exposure to clinical applications of MSKUS.These electives vertically and horizontally integrate clinical skills and reasoning with the basic sciences, including gross anatomy and MSK radiology. This improves UME learners’ understanding of anatomy, develops their US diagnostic and procedural skills, and provides more in-depth exposure to rheumatology and other specialties.

Methods: The shoulder, wrist, knee, and ankle were selected as body sites based on course developer consensus as the highest yield across a variety of specialties. Content was divided into two 2-week electives with upper extremity covered in the fall semester and lower extremity in the spring semester. Each week focuses on one joint. Content is delivered by self-study materials, hands-on practice scanning, guided MSK radiology imaging interpretation, and observation of clinical applications. UME learners study pre-recorded didactic materials covering standard US views of the joint, common pathologic findings, and a demonstration scan. One rheumatologist and one MSK radiologist serve as content experts demonstrating and supervising hands-on practice scanning on peers and volunteers. UME learners then practice MSK image interpretation (radiograph, MSKUS, CT, MRI) with the MSK radiologist and rotate through sports medicine clinics to practice integrating physical exam, MKSUS findings and clinical decision-making. Lastly, cadaver-based arthrocentesis training teaches additional procedural skills. Competency is assessed via a checklist evaluating image acquisition and identification of key anatomical structures.

Results: 100% of UME learners who enrolled in our MSKUS elective successfully completed the MSKUS skills checklist for each body site.

Conclusion: Based on our results of all UME learners demonstrating proficiency in fundamental MSKUS image acquisition skills, our elective presents a replicable framework for further integration of MSKUS education within medical curricula and reinforces both vertical and horizontal integration, allowing a bridge between the basic sciences and clinical practice. In addition to enhancing learners’ anatomical and US knowledge, this elective also gives UME learners earlier exposure to procedural aspects in the field of rheumatology in hopes of increasing interest in rheumatology careers, while equipping them with invaluable clinical and diagnostic skills.

« Back to ACR Convergence 2025

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/developing-musculoskeletal-ultrasound-clinical-electives-bridging-the-basic-sciences-and-clinical-application-in-undergraduate-medical-education/