The use of diagnostic ultrasound by primary care physicians in Switzerland - a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diagnostic ultrasound has become a bedside tool widely available to many primary care physicians (PCPs) in Europe. It is often used as point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in this setting. In Switzerland, certain POCUS examinations are listed as learning objectives in existing ultrasound training programs (we defined these examinations as swissPOCUS = sPOCUS). Ultrasound performed by PCPs can lead to faster diagnostic workup and reduce referral to secondary care units. However, adequate training is crucial to guarantee high quality. To guide the development of ultrasound training programs for PCPs, this study explores the use of ultrasound in primary care in Switzerland.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. We invited PCPs from the Swiss practice-based resea

SUBMITTER: Zumstein N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11227144 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature