Master Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for physical therapists

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a great example of how an imaging technique can contribute to a moreevidence baseddiagnostic and therapeutic process for physical therapists. Applying and interpreting ultrasound is a specialized process and requires thorough and in-depth training to draw the right diagnostic conclusions. Working together with general practitioners and specialists gets new dimensions with this study Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Physical Therapists and offers great opportunities. Do you like to work in daily practice at the highest level of development? Then this Ultrasound training will definitely suit you!

Training in Brief

Name: Master of Science in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography for Physiotherapists
Target audience: physical therapists
Duration: 2 or 3 years
Variant: Part-time
Degree: master of science (MSc)
Location: Amersfoort
Study Guide

Working Field Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

The Master in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Physical Therapists(MSc.) is a specialization within physical therapy and unique of its kind. The specialized therapist works in the musculoskeletal field.

As a specialist, the Master of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Physical Therapists is distinguishedby:

Extensive and specific knowledge of (sono)anatomy, pathology of the extremities and therapeutic implications.
(Complex) ultrasound skills in diagnosing and treating physical complaints of the extremities.
Knowledge of how, when and with what arguments to refer for additional medical examination and/or treatment (through primary care physician)
Knowledge of other forms of medical imaging used by radiologists and what interventions radiologists can employ using medical imaging
Knowledge and experience of internships in both primary and secondary care with both radiologist and other medical specialists.

Dealing with complex health problems

In daily practice (first-, one-and-a-half- or second-line setting), the master’s level is characterized by the ability to diagnose and treat patients with (complex) health or orthopedic problems in the extremities, whether or not using musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Complexity here refers to problems or contexts in which existing knowledge and experience cannot be relied upon and unpredictable situations in which independently responsible strategic choices must be made. Examples of complicating factors include the presence of psychosocial factors, aberrant biological factors, multi-morbidity or multi-site pathology.

Structure of the study

Teaching is provided by THE specialists in the field: radiologists, diverse medical specialists and extended scope physiotherapists with years of experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Verder word je meegenomen in de Extended Scope training en wordt anatomie aangeboden via onze digitale snijtafel en de benodigde anatomische preparaten in samenwerking met VU Brussel. Dit alles gebeurt in een up-to-date omgeving met aangepaste apparatuur.

Year 1

The first year consists of a basic ultrasound module and an evidence-based clinical reasoning module. In basic ultrasound module, a comprehensive and thorough foundation is laid to apply ultrasound at Master’s level. During the module you will learn the basics of ultrasound, delve into anatomy and learn to apply ultrasound to the joints of the lower and upper extremity. Ultrasound and anatomy are strongly connected. Therefore, this module also discusses relevant aspects and innovative insights regarding the anatomy of osseous, arthrogenic, muscular, neurogenic and vascular structures in the upper and lower extremity. Competencies covered during this module:

Knowledge of anatomy of the upper and lower extremity.
Basic ultrasound skills (button theory, artifacts, basics, transducer skills.
Ultrasound skills in accordance with ESSR protocols of the upper extremity.
Ultrasound skills in accordance with ESSR protocols of the lower extremity.
Knowledge of doppler and artifacts.
Evidence-based clinical reasoning in low-complexity health problems

You will take the basic evidence-based clinical reasoning module together with students of the Orofacial Physical Therapy Specialist program. This program consists of gaining the generic master competencies, such as:

Clinical reasoning
Evidence-Based Practice
Methodology and statistics
Clinimetry
Implement and innovate.

Year 2

In year 2, further in-depth study in ultrasound, anatomie, pathology and epidemiology regarding the Upper Extremity (Module 2) and the Lower Extremity (Module 3). You teach ultrasound responsibly toepashes and interpret within the evidence based physiotherapist-specialist decision-making process, where diagnostic accuracy, targetthesis and clinical relevance important pillars are. You will learn additional scanning positions around the various joints, delve into pathology recognition and (sono)anatomy and sharpens your diagnostic ultrasound research skills to. In addition, you will learn to interpret pathology and through reporting to communicate to colleagues and referrers. Een deel van de lesdagen tijdens deze module s is provided by radiologists.

In addition, in the second year the twe second part of the basic module evidence-based clinical reasoning. Tijdens deze module verdiep je je verder in topics such as klinear reasoning, evidence-based practice, methodology and statistics, klinimetry, implement and innovate.

Year 3

Year 3 begins with the Extended Scope module in which you will be trained in the competencies appropriate to this new professional role. This is followed by specialized learning days where advanced knowledge and skills are covered.

This year has a strong multidisciplinary character. You will therefore be taught by medical specialists such as the radiologist, neurologist, rheumatologist and general practitioner. But there are also broadening topics such as ultrasound and pelvic physiotherapy (capita selecta).
During the third year, you will continue to complete various internships and mini-clinics in the first- and second-line and work on your thesis work.

The modules of the training include multiple formative and summative tests to ensure sufficient feedback moments and, competency-based assessment. Testing on practical skills in relation to the performance and interpretation of ultrasound takes place continuously throughout the module in a formative sense. Both teachers and fellow students act as assessors in this process.

Registration NVES

We train you in three years to become an extended scope specialist. As graduated master you can register in the quality register of NVES: The Dutch Association of Extended Scope Specialists. Extended Scope Specialists They strengthen diagnosis and treatment in 1st and
2nd line care by, for example, holding exercise complaint consultations at general practitioners or outpatient clinics.

Practicalities

The master program is a part-time program taught at ourThe master program is a part-time program taught at our Amersfoort campus. In addition to the contact days, you will follow a number of internship days. The contact days can be found on the right side of this page under the heading “Details”. The study load is 13 to 16 hours per week, excluding internship. The master program comprises a total of 90 credits (EC).he campus in Amersfoort. In addition to the contact days you follow a number of internship days. The contact days can be found on the right side of this page under the heading “Details”. The study load is 13 to 16 hours per week, excluding internship. The master program comprises a total of 90 credits (EC).

Regular master's program in 3 years

As a general physiotherapist with a Bachelor’s degree, you follow a regular three-year master’s program at SOMT University of Physiotherapy. Contact days are always on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 09.00 to 17.00 in Amersfoort. The three-year program always starts in September.

Regular master's program in 2.5 years

Can you handle a higher course load? Then you can also complete the full Master Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in 2.5 years. The total study load and quality is equal to that of the three-year program. Through efficient, hybrid teaching with lots of personal guidance, we have developed an ambitious but studyable program for you.

The 2.5-year program starts in February 2025. Once you have started your training you will make an appointment with the head of training to discuss your ambitious learning path.

Accelerated program through exemptions

Have you already completed an HBO Master’s degree in a physical therapy specialization or a WO Master’s degree? Then it is possible to accelerate the Master Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and get exemptions for the first and second year of study.

The Examination Board will decide for each student who has an exemption for what. This will be determined by previous training and courses, experience through the years, any scientific products or implementation projects through peer consultation or otherwise.

If you have questions email studentenadministratie@somt.nl.

Admission

Admission to the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Master program for physical therapists is possible with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy recognized by the Dutch government and BIG registration.

It is desirable to be employed in practice, as the case histories used in the teaching sessions have a continuous interaction with professional practice.

Details

Study load: 13-16h (per week)
Credits: 60 ECTS
Level: EKK 7
Accreditation: NVAO
Language: Dutch **
Start of study: February and September
Study Guide

Starts February 2025 and September 2025 | 3-year course
Enrollment open

** = English-language scientific literature

Training content

This HBO master’s program leads to the degree of Master of Science in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. The program is distinguished primarily by its high level of quality. The broad deep content of the program includes practical classes taught by musculoskeletal radiologists.

The integration of ultrasound into the daily practice of the physical therapist is an important part of the training. Physical therapists are trained to become competent ultrasound technicians who, from their role in first-, one-and-a-half- or second-line care, provide permanently sound diagnostics.

Ultrasound, performed by the Extended Scope physical therapist, is an excellent combination. Hence, a module in the curriculum is specifically focused on the (new) role of Extended Scope physiotherapist. This module is identical to the 10-day continuing education “Targeted Referral” and offers you the opportunity to register in the register of the Dutch Extended Scope Society (NVES).

After diagnostics, it does not stop in the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound training for physical therapists. In addition to knowledge of pathology and pathophysiology, the training pays close attention to the therapeutic process according to best evidence practice rules.

Teachers

You will be taught during the program by teachers who have extensive didactic and clinical experience and are active in their own ultrasound physical therapy practice in addition to their teaching. All teachers are academically trained. Because ultrasound is also used by medical practitioners, there are several interfaces. You will therefore be taught by different medical specialists such as radiologists, neurologists and general practitioners. That makes this course unique!

Learning Outcomes

During the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Master’s for Physical Therapists, you will learn important skills to function in a professional environment:

Be able to accurately indicate, apply and interpret ultrasound in patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders of the extremities
An advanced level of evidence-based clinical reasoning and clinical decision making
Apply knowledge and theories from basic sciences, such as physics, anatomy, sonoanatomy, color and powderdoppler, pathology, within clinical practice
Taking a critical attitude toward the use of ultrasound and one’s own professional role in it
Function as an academic liaison within a multidisciplinary setting
Participate in scientific research on ultrasound
Implement innovations in the use of ultrasound in one’s (own) practice
Lifelong development in ultrasound.

Teaching method and testing

Education is always guided from clinical case histories where modules are organized by body regions. For each module, the conditional basic science subjects are offered and clinical reasoning is trained based on the available evidence for the added diagnostic value of ultrasound. The indication for ultrasound is always weighed against all possible alternatives for physical, imaging or other medical-specialist examination, the consequences for the treatment policy and the outcomes for the patient. Course days always include successive learning activities for preparation, learning activities during contact education and learning activities for processing (portfolio assignments). In addition, the course provides supervised internship and practical skills training.

Works

In all courses, SOMT University of Physiotherapy works with blended learning. In preparatory learning activities, e-learning is used in addition to studying textbooks and scientific articles, practicing practical skills, and describing practical problems. During teaching contact days, active teaching work forms are offered, such as response lectures, working groups, skills training. Portfolio building takes place to incorporate what has been learned in practice. Reflection and peer review are important tools here to guide the learning process.

Internship

Internship takes place in both the second and third years of training and involves mini-clinics and individual placements in both primary and secondary care.

Studying with the DUO Lifelong Learning Credit

Do you want to study with us and are you younger than 56? If you are not entitled (anymore) to regular study financing, you can sometimes still borrow money to pay tuition or fees.

With the DUOL lifetime learning credit, everyone can continue to develop.

The amount of lifelong learning credit depends on the amount of tuition or fees. For more information and applications, go to duo.nl/ levenlanglerenkrediet.

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