SONHACO GCA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
To evaluate the perceptions and experiences of sonographers being taught the “halo” and “compression” ultrasound techniques for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.
IRAS ID
311650
Contact name
Richard Wakefield
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
145805, EDGE
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
Ultrasound is now recommended as a first-line imaging test for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA), providing there is sufficient expertise. However, the recent Rheumatology Getting It Right First Time Programme National Specialty Report has highlighted that despite these recommendations there is difficulty in providing rapid confirmatory diagnostic tests, with only half of NHS trusts having access to ultrasound. A potential barrier to implementing ultrasound is the steep learning curve required to obtain and maintain competency and expertise. For this reason, it is often perceived that ultrasound for GCA is a prohibitively difficult technique to learn especially for the novice sonographer.
Currently the ultrasound diagnosis of GCA combines colour Doppler with “halo” and “compression”; the presence of a non-compressible halo is suggestive of a positive diagnosis. We would like to deconstruct this definition in order to determine which aspects of the scan may be easier to perform and why. This may help inform future teaching strategies.
This study will investigate the perceptions and experiences of sonographers undergoing training for GCA ultrasound. Sonographers will attend an educational training event, data relating to experiences and viewpoints will be collected.
For this study, the term sonographer refers to any health professional using ultrasound for the diagnosis of GCA.REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1541
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion