'Shades of grey': a focus group study on diagnostic uncertainty among general practitioners using point-of-care ultrasound.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has long been a diagnostic tool in family medicine, although most Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) who use POCUS, scans infrequently. The broad scope of family medicine, the relatively low prevalence of illnesses and infrequent use of POCUS imply that GPs may experience diagnostic uncertainty regularly.

Aim

To explore how GPs perceived and managed diagnostic uncertainty when using POCUS.

Design and setting

A qualitative focus group study among Norwegian GPs using POCUS.

Methods

Four focus group discussions were conducted. Total number of participants were 21. The interview guide was piloted, the focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed, and Systematic Text Condensation, a thematic cross-case an

SUBMITTER: Myklestul HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11834800 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature