EFSUMB COMPASS for Rheumatologists dissemination and implementation--an international survey

The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) competency assessment (COMPASS) for rheumatologists performing musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) was developed and published 2 years ago. It consists of a 3 level competency system. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the EFSUMB COMPASS has been disseminated and implemented and to assess the potential obstacles encountered.

A questionnaire was developed and distributed by e-mail to all rheumatologists certified as EFSUMB level 3.

Seventeen (85%) rheumatologists considered that the EFSUMB COMPASS is useful for training MSUS. The majority of them (17; 85%) had informed their colleagues or national rheumatology societies about the EFSUMB COMPASS. The most common obstacle encountered for the implementation of the COMPASS was the lack of time for supervision of the trainees (9; 45%). A total of 83 rheumatologists had been trained and assessed for competency in the three EFSUMB levels.

This survey highlights the current status of EFSUMB COMPASS implementation in European countries with an expected increased number of rheumatologists being able to train and assess new trainees. Still, more efforts should be done for a higher implementation of EFSUMB COMPASS across European countries.