Table 3 Comparison of self-reported ability in each competence in respondents receiving formal education and those not receiving formal education

Musculoskeletal exam

8.5 (1.7)

9.1 (1.4)

<0.0001

Detection of synovitis

8.8 (1.5)

9.1 (1.4)

0.0052

Mono-arthritis

8.8 (1.5)

9.2 (1.3)

0.0002

Laboratory test interpretation

9.2 (1.2)

9.5 (1.0)

0.0001

Osteoarthritis^a

8.6 (1.7)

9.0 (1.5)

<0.0001

Gout^a

8.9 (1.5)

9.2 (1.3)

<0.0001

Early rheumatoid arthritis^a

8.8 (1.58)

9.1 (1.3)

<0.0001

Spondyloarthritis^a

8.7 (1.6)

9.1 (1.3)

0.0049

Autoimmune connective tissue diseases^a

7.7 (2.1)

8.1 (1.8)

<0.0001

Vasculitis^a

7.0 (2.3)

7.6 (2.1)

<0.0001

Osteoporosis^a

8.3 (1.8)

8.8 (1.5)

<0.0001

bDMARD^a

8.5 (2.2)

9.0 (1.6)

0.0005

Disease activity measures

8.6 (1.8)

9.0 (1.4)

0.0004

Knee aspiration

8.6 (2.4)

9.1 (1.9)

<0.0001

Crystal identification

5.7 (3.9)

6.1 (3.8)

<0.0001

X-ray

7.8 (2.2)

8.3 (1.8)

<0.0001

Ultrasound

5.3 (3.5)

6.0 (3.4)

<0.0001

Multidisciplinary team

NR

NR

Interpret published paper

7.5 (2.2)

8.0 (2.0)

<0.0001

Presentation

7.6 (2.4)

8.2 (2.0)

<0.0001

Communication

8.8 (1.5)

9.0 (1.5)

0.0080