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Evaluating general practitioners’ focused lung ultrasound competence and findings in patients with suspected community-acquired pneumonia in general practice

Authors :
Julie Jepsen Strøm
Camilla Aakjær Andersen
Martin Bach Jensen
Janus Laust Thomsen
Christian B. Laursen
Søren Helbo Skaarup
Hans Henrik Lawaetz Schultz
Malene Plejdrup Hansen
Source :
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, Pp 1-11 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Taylor & Francis Group, 2024.

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate general practitioners’ (GPs’) ability to perform focused lung ultrasound (FLUS) following a training program and assess FLUS feasibility in general practice. Also, to describe FLUS findings and evaluate GPs’ ability to interpret these in adults with acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) when pneumonia is suspected and assess GPs’ perception of FLUS impact.Methods Nine GPs, using point-of-care ultrasound, completed a FLUS training program. Adults (≥ 18 years) with acute cough (< 28 days) and at least one other symptom of acute LRTI, where the GP suspected pneumonia, were subsequently included. All patients received FLUS. The GPs reported FLUS findings, feasibility, and perception of FLUS impact. Recorded FLUS videos from all patients were reviewed by two specialists (Specialist Reference). The specialists assessed FLUS image quality. Agreements between the GPs and the Specialist Reference on FLUS findings were used to evaluate GPs’ ability to interpret FLUS.Results Of 91 patients included, FLUS image quality was acceptable or higher in 84 patients (92.4%). FLUS proved feasible with only two scans not completed. The GPs reported FLUS pathological findings in 51.7% of patients in 78% agreement with the Specialist Reference and Cohen’s kappa 0.56. Focal B-lines represented the most frequent pathological findings. The GPs perceived that FLUS impacted change in tentative diagnosis and/or plans for treatment and/or visitation in 29 (32.0%) of patients.Conclusion After the training, the GPs performed FLUS well. Interpretation of FLUS pathology presence was of moderate agreement. The GPs perceived that FLUS had impact on patient management.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04711031

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
02813432 and 15027724
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.24b5cb0a46fd4c999c43182ff7f36cbf
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2024.2447083