Does point-of-care ultrasound examination by the general practitioner lead to inappropriate care? A follow-up study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in general practice increases, but little is known about potential unintended findings and harms to patients. Information regarding such unwanted effects may be obtained by evaluating the medical records of patients who have been scanned by their general practitioner.

Objective

To identify and characterize re-consultations related to POCUS use in general practice, potential misdiagnosis, overdiagnosis, and incidental findings, and to compare potentially troublesome cases to GPs' scanning competence and type of ultrasound device.

Design and setting

Professors in general practice with extensive experience in both research and quality assurance in general practice did a blinded review of prospectively collected routi

SUBMITTER: Andersen CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12377149 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature