Use and impact of point-of-care ultrasonography in general practice: a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe how general practitioners (GPs) use point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) and how it influences the diagnostic process and treatment of patients.

Design

Prospective observational study using an online questionnaire before and after POCUS.

Setting

Office-based general practice.

Participants

Twenty GPs consecutively recruited all patients examined with POCUS in 1 month.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We estimated the use of POCUS through the indication for use, the frequency of use, the time consumption, the extent of modification of the examination and the findings.The influence on the diagnostic process was estimated through change in the tentative diagnoses, change in confidence, the ability to produce ultrasound images an

SUBMITTER: Aakjær Andersen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7500300 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature