Musculoskeletal Ultrasound as a Motivator for Selecting a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program in the United States of America - A Multi-Center Survey Study.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the influence of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) curriculum on applicants during the residency-selection process. A survey of 666 applicants for the Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard/Spaulding Rehabilitation Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) programs was conducted in June 2020. A total of 180 respondents scored the influence of a MSKUS curriculum on their decision-making for residency selection. Additionally, applicants were asked to rank specific areas of PM&R that influenced their decision making. Participants most commonly included MSKUS in their top three areas of interest when constructing their rank order list. When asked if MSKUS presence within a program had an effect during the interview-selection process, 71% responded with "very important" or "absolutely essential" (p<0.001). For 74% of applicants, exposure to MSKUS in residency was an important factor when creating their rank order list (p<0.001). Greater than 92% of applicants stated that they are "likely" or "very likely" to use MSKUS in their future practice and 83% would recommend a program with MSKUS to future candidates (p<0.001). Based on these results, a large percentage of PM&R applicants intend on using MSKUS in their future practice. Therefore, MSKUS may be an important factor for residency selection.