Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Resource-Limited Settings: Common Applications

Fentress, Matthew; Heyne, Thomas; Barron, Keith; Jayasekera, Neil

doi:10.14423/smj.0000000000000827

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 82 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Ultrasound is particularly versatile and is the least expensive of all imaging modalities [2]. Common applications of ultrasound that routinely change management decisions in low resource settings [5,6] include the diagnosis of pneumonia, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, parasitic infections, rheumatic heart disease, and ectopic pregnancy [7][8][9]. In addition, as noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease become more prevalent in low-and middle-income countries, so too does the utility of ultrasound in these settings [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder Perceptions of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Implementation in Resource-Limited Settings

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Nearly half of the world lacks access to diagnostic imaging. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a versatile and relatively affordable imaging modality that offers promise as a means of bridging the radiology gap and improving care in low resource settings. Methods: We performed semi-structured interviews of key stakeholders at two diverse hospitals where POCUS implementation programs had recently been conducted: one in a rural private hospital in Haiti and the other in a public referral hospital in Malawi. Questions regarding the clinical utility of POCUS, as well as barriers and facilitators of its implementation, were asked of study participants. Using the Framework Method, analysis of interview transcripts was guided by the WHO ASSURED criteria for point of care diagnostics. Results: Fifteen stakeholders with diverse roles in POCUS implementation were interviewed. Interviewees from both sites considered POCUS a valuable diagnostic tool that improved clinical decisions. They perceived barriers to adequate training as one of the most important remaining barriers to POCUS implementation. Conclusions: In spite of the increasing affordability and portability of ultrasounds devices, there are still important barriers to the implementation of POCUS in resource-limited settings.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder Perceptions of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Implementation in Resource-Limited Settings

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…POCUS was first adapted by EPs for the rapid identification of life-threatening cases of cardiac or pulmonary pathologies [6,7]. The quick identification of the diagnosis then allows EPs to administer lifesaving treatment for conditions such as traumatic intra-abdominal bleeding, spontaneous pneumothorax, ruptured ectopic pregnancy or massive pulmonary embolism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Family Medicine Physicians for Abdominopelvic and Soft Tissue Assessment

Frasure¹,

Dearing²,

Burke³

et al. 2020

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) improves both the sensitivity and specificity with which clinicians can make a variety of diagnoses at the bedside from abdominal aortic aneurysm to kidney stones. In outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and emergency departments, where ultrasound imaging may be delayed by hours or even days, the use of POCUS can be very helpful. We believe that POCUS facilitates both the triage of patients and provides diagnostic information quickly. We hope to advance the use of POCUS in the primary care setting and have reviewed six sonographic topics where we believe ultrasound can be of immense assistance to the physician in the outpatient setting.

show abstract

“…1,5 Therefore, ultrasonography (USG) has immense utility and potential for developing emergency health services in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to its relatively low cost and accessibility Several educational initiatives in clinical ultrasound have been reported in these parts of the world. [6][7][8][9][10] Standard USG or echocardiography requires the treating physician in the ED to rely on the radiologist or cardiologist to perform it in a timely and clinically relevant manner. 11 Provided the physicians in the ED have skill at image acquisition, image interpretation, and the cognitive elements required for using POCUS, they are able to rapidly incorporate the results of the POCUS examination into the management plan without delay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Evaluation of Interdisciplinary Emergency Ultrasound Workshop for Primary Care Physicians in Nepal</p>

Shrestha¹,

Blank²,

Shrestha³

et al. 2020

OAEM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a quick bedside tool that has the potential to improve emergency care in resource-limited settings due to its relatively low cost and accessibility. Effort to disseminate the knowledge and skills about POCUS is inadequate in low and middle income countries like Nepal. We conducted a two-day interdisciplinary advanced emergency ultrasound workshop that targeted physicians working in emergency department and primary care, especially in rural Nepal. We explored the effectiveness of this training based on validated Kirkpatrick's 4 steps of evaluating training outcomes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective quasi-experimental study with mixed research design. Multidisciplinary physicians working in emergency departments participated in the two-day workshop. We assessed and compared the pre-and post-workshop knowledge. We collected on-site and a follow-up feedback to explore pre-and post-workshop confidence level, perceived usefulness and clinical use of ultrasound using a 5-point Likert scale. The barriers to use POCUS were explored. Results: A total of 50 physicians from different parts of Nepal participated in the workshop. The academic level of the participants, duration of their clinical experience and the previous use of POCUS did not have a significant difference in their pre-and posttest knowledge scores. The difference between the median (IQR) pre-and posttest scores [14 (12.75-17.75) and 24.5 (22.25-25.5), respectively] was statistically significant (p<0.001). Perceived confidence level and usefulness of the POCUS increased significantly in all of its domains (p<0.001). Self-reported increase in its clinical use was significant (p<0.001) for all fields. Conclusion: The participation in this emergency ultrasound workshop increased the knowledge of participants in POCUS. Their confidence, perceived usefulness and clinical use of POCUS improved significantly. Objective longitudinal follow-up of participants' skill and demonstration of increased clinical use of POCUS in emergency department influencing the clinical outcome would be the focus of future research.

show abstract

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Resource-Limited Settings: Common Applications

Cited by 17 publications

References 82 publications

Stakeholder Perceptions of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Implementation in Resource-Limited Settings

Stakeholder Perceptions of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Implementation in Resource-Limited Settings

Application of Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Family Medicine Physicians for Abdominopelvic and Soft Tissue Assessment

<p>Evaluation of Interdisciplinary Emergency Ultrasound Workshop for Primary Care Physicians in Nepal</p>

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About