Geriatricians' interest to learn bedside portable ultrasound (GEBUS) for application in the clinical practice and in education.

BACKGROUND

Technological advances have allowed ultrasound machines to become portable, pocket-size aids to diagnosis and clinical examination. As technology becomes more available, physicians are challenged to educate themselves and new generations of health providers in the usage of bedside portable ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVES/DESIGN: The aim of this study was to survey a representative sample of geriatricians in South Carolina to evaluate their current knowledge about the use of ultrasound machines in the primary care of the elderly, to determine their willingness to adopt the technology and willingness to educate physicians and medical students, and to identify hurdles for the implementation in the clinical and educational environment.

PARTICIPANTS

Fourteen physicians and geriatricians participated in the survey.

SETTING

Outpatient geriatric practice, Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, inpatient geriatric practice, home-based care, Veterans Affairs hospital program.

SURVEY

A 22-item survey regarding geriatric bedside ultrasound (GEBUS) in the clinical setting and in education.

RESULTS

Most physicians (92.8%) had heard of GEBUS performed by primary care physicians, and 21.4% had previous formal training. That same percentage also had some training in interpreting ultrasound. Only one physician felt comfortable using the machine and none felt ready to instruct other medical staff and students. Most of the participating group of physicians (71%-85%) expressed an interest in learning this new skill to apply in clinic, research, and medical education. Challenges for wide implementation were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

GEBUS is a technology that is now available to the practitioner. Participating geriatricians are ready to embrace this technology in clinical practice and in medical education. Challenges to current implementation include cost, training, liability, credentialing, and lack of reimbursement.