RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Point-of-Care Ultrasound in General Practice: A Systematic Review JF The Annals of Family Medicine JO Ann Fam Med FD American Academy of Family Physicians SP 61 OP 69 DO 10.1370/afm.2330 VO 17 IS 1 A1 Andersen, Camilla Aakjær A1 Holden, Sinead A1 Vela, Jonathan A1 Rathleff, Michael Skovdal A1 Jensen, Martin Bach YR 2019 UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/17/1/61.abstract AB PURPOSE Ultrasound examinations are currently being implemented in general practice. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the training in and use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by general practitioners.METHODS We followed the Cochrane guidelines for conduct and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting. We searched the databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using the key words ultrasonography and general practice in combination and using thesaurus terms. Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies using an established checklist.RESULTS We included in our review a total of 51 full-text articles. POCUS was applied for a variety of purposes, with the majority of scans focused on abdominal and obstetric indications. The length of training programs varied from 2 to 320 hours. Competence in some types of focused ultrasound scans could be attained with only few hours of training. Focused POCUS scans were reported to have a higher diagnostic accuracy and be associated with less harm than more comprehensive scans or screening scans. The included studies were of a low quality, however, mainly because of issues with design and reporting.CONCLUSIONS POCUS has the potential to be an important tool for the general practitioner and may possibly reduce health care costs. Future research should aim to assess the quality of ultrasound scans in broader groups of general practitioners, further explore how these clinicians should be trained, and evaluate the clinical course of patients who undergo scanning by general practitioners.