2187: Transforming MSUS Access in Mexico: A Comparative Study of National Trends and a Hybrid Training Cohort

Background/Purpose: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is a valuable diagnostic tool in rheumatology, yet access to formal MSUS training in Latin America remains limited. In a 2022 national survey, early-career Mexican rheumatologists reported high interest in MSUS but faced substantial barriers. To address this gap, we implemented and evaluated a hybrid MSUS training course. This study compares national survey data with outcomes from course participants to assess the impact of targeted hybrid training on clinical use, training exposure, and institutional integration of MSUS.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of two cohorts. The 2022 cohort (N=96) consisted of early-career rheumatologists across Mexico who responded to a national survey on MSUS access, training, and clinical use. The 2023 cohort (N=21) included participants who completed a structured hybrid MSUS training program (online modules + in-person workshop) and completed a follow-up survey three months post-course. Surveys assessed prior training, current MSUS use, educational preferences, institutional context, and barriers. Descriptive statistics and chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare groups.

Results: Participants in the hybrid training intervention demonstrated significantly higher MSUS utilization (47.6% vs. 20.8%, p=0.011) and more frequently had ≤1 year of MSUS experience (80% vs. 34.2%). Prior MSUS training was also more common (76.2% vs. 57.3%), while awareness of workshops (19.1% vs. 55.2%, p=0.003) and online courses (14.3% vs. 39.6%, p=0.028) was lower. Hybrid participants showed greater preference for online training formats (p=0.014), and more frequently cited training cost (p=0.018) and equipment access (p=0.064) as barriers. Institutional MSUS use and departmental experience were also significantly more prevalent in the course cohort (p=0.026).

Conclusion: A hybrid MSUS training intervention for early-career rheumatologists in Mexico led to increased MSUS utilization, institutional integration, and training exposure compared to national trends. These findings highlight the potential of scalable hybrid education models to address training gaps and promote equitable MSUS adoption in underserved settings. This underscores the need for broader implementation strategies and institutional investment to build rheumatologic imaging capacity across Latin America.