Societies endorse AIUM Training Guidelines for musculoskeletal ultrasound

American Institute of Ultrasound in MedicineMar 18 2010

A number of societies have endorsed this unique guideline, demonstrating a multi-specialty outlook for the technology

The AIUM is pleased to announce that 4 professional societies have collaborated with AIUM to endorse the recent AIUM Training Guidelines for the Performance of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Examinations. The guidelines allow for a several practitioners, including physicians, osteopathic physicians, podiatrists, and sonographers, to perform musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations, marking significant promise for the future of this growing field.

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Podiatric Medical Association, and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Society have provided official support/endorsement for the guidelines to date.

"When multiple societies can come together to develop and agree on training guidelines, it lays a solid framework for the area to grow and initiates high-quality patient care," said AIUM President Harvey L. Nisenbaum, MD.

With numerous specialists performing musculoskeletal ultrasound exams, the development of a comprehensive training guideline has always presented a challenge in the field.

"A guideline like this ensures a balance that allows all qualified practitioners to adopt the technology," said Levon Nazarian, MD, who began collaborating on the issue across societies on behalf of the AIUM in 2008.

Marking further progress for the future of musculoskeletal ultrasound, the Board of Directors of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) has announced to the AIUM that it has approved the development of a credentialing examination in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

"The development process is underway for a musculoskeletal sonography credentialing examination that will test in a broad range of practice areas," said Patty Prince, RDMS, RVT, Chair of the ARDMS Board of Directors. "International experts will be appointed to the examination-development task force and, as the process proceeds, ARDMS will be sharing more specifics with the sonography community."

It is anticipated that more societies will endorse the AIUM guideline as the field of musculoskeletal ultrasound continues to expand.