Editorials: Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in Family Medicine

A study comparing ultrasonography and computed tomography scans for evaluation of suspected nephrolithiasis in the emergency department found that initial testing with POCUS decreased the number of computed tomography scans by 59% without any change in outcomes.2 A 2008 study of Medicare data for musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging indicated that 45% of primary diagnoses could have been made with ultrasonography.3 Downstream costs from complications are a consideration as well. When using POCUS, generalists are as accurate as cardiologists in assessing left ventricular systolic function, and even medical students are able to increase their diagnostic accuracy from 50% to 75%.7,8 POCUS is better than a physical examination in differentiating an abscess from cellulitis, changing management in 14% to 56% of cases.9 POCUS is superior to physical examination or chest radiography for making many lung diagnoses, including pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and pneumothorax.10-15 Another benefit of POCUS in primary care is its ability to expedite and increase access to imaging. Resources for Point-of-Care Ultrasonography Education and Implementation Resource American Academy of Family Physicians Member interest group https://www.aafp.org/membership/involve/mig/ultrasound.html Curriculum guideline https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/medical_education_residency/program_directors/Reprint290D_POCUS.pdf American College of Emergency Physicians Information on program development, educational guidelines, and coding, as well as additional resources https://www.acep.org/by-medical-focus/ultrasound Address correspondence to Paul Bornemann, MD, at Paul.Bornemann@uscmed.sc.edu.