Point-of-care ultrasound of abdominal as an useful diagnostic tool for the general practitioner

Szwed Monika, Metelski Jakub, Metelska Aleksandra, Nieścior Hubert, Sereda Dominika, Piekarski Paweł. Point-of-care ultrasound of abdominal as an useful diagnostic tool for the general practitioner. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2022;12(8):533-539. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2022.12.08.056

https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/JEHS.2022.12.08.056

https://zenodo.org/record/6997241

The journal has had 40 points in Ministry of Education and Science of Poland parametric evaluation. Annex to the announcement of the Minister of Education and Science of December 21, 2021. No. 32343.

Has a Journal's Unique Identifier: 201159. Scientific disciplines assigned: Physical Culture Sciences (Field of Medical sciences and health sciences); Health Sciences (Field of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences).

Punkty Ministerialne z 2019 - aktualny rok 40 punktów. Załącznik do komunikatu Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z dnia 21 grudnia 2021 r. Lp. 32343. Posiada Unikatowy Identyfikator Czasopisma: 201159.

Przypisane dyscypliny naukowe: Nauki o kulturze fizycznej (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu); Nauki o zdrowiu (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu).

© The Authors 2022;

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Received: 29.07.2022. Revised: 07.08.2022. Accepted: 16.08.2022.

Point-of-care ultrasound of abdominal as an useful diagnostic tool for the general practitioner

Monika Szwed

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5711-2172

monika.pi3karska@gmail.com

Provincial Specialist Hospital of the name Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, Aleja Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin

Jakub Metelski

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7110-9332

jakub.metelski@o2.pl

Provincial Specialist Hospital of the name Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, Aleja Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin

Aleksandra Metelska

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3166-1296

metelskaaleksandra@gmail.com

Provincial Specialist Hospital of the name Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, Aleja Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin

Hubert Nieścior

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4709-4396

hniescior@gmail.com

Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin

Dominika Sereda

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4189-1674

dominika.sereda1902@gmail.com

Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin

Paweł Piekarski

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8277-9665

pawel.piekarski07@gmail.com

Department of Imaging Diagnostics and Interventional Radiology Masovian Specialist Hospital Sp. Zoo., Juliana Aleksandrowicza 5, 26-617 Radom

Keywords: primary care; ultrasonography; general practitioner; point-of-care ultrasound; POCUS

Abstract

Introduction and purpose

Ultrasonography (US) is a safe, non-invasive and widespread diagnostic tool. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is more and more often used in a general practitioner’s (GP) office as an element complementing the medical and physical examination. The aim of the study is to present ultrasonography as a useful diagnostic tool in the practice of a general practitioner (GP).

Description of the state of knowledge

Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal infections are among the most common reasons for patients visiting their GPs. A point-of-care ultrasound examination enable the shortening of the time necessary to make a diagnosis as well as the fastest possible implementation of appropriate treatment. This is especially important in acute conditions such as cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, appendicitis or renal colic.Patients who underwent ultrasound examination during their GP visit gave them a better understanding of their health problem, increased their sense of securityand confidence in the diagnosis made by the doctor.

Summary

Point-of-care ultrasound is an examination that is increasingly used by doctors working in primary care as a diagnostic tool ensuring earlier and more precise diagnosis. GP familiarization with ultrasound could reduce the number of incorrect referrals as well as improve the interpretation of the results. Performing the POCUS examination during
a visit to the primary care physician allows GP to make a quick diagnosis and make
a decision about conservative treatment, referral to the appropriate specialist
or hospitalization.