Diagnostic Accuracy of Abdominal Point of Care Ultrasound in Primary Care: Study Design and Protocol

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal point of care ultrasound (POCUS) performed by family physicians (FPs) in primary care (PC), in comparison with the findings in the medical record (MR) at 12 months of follow-up. This study is conducted entirely in PC healthcare centers in Spain. Abdominal ultrasound scans performed by FPs (selected on the basis of their ultrasound knowledge and experience) are compared with the findings, or not, in the patient's MR after a 12-month follow-up period. The study will involve 100 FPs in Spain and an estimated sample size of 1334 patients who are to undergo abdominal POCUS at the indication of their physician. The results of the abdominal POCUS will be collected and compared with the findings of the MR. This comparison will be performed by another physician of the research team, different from their FP after one year of follow-up. The diagnostic accuracy of abdominal POCUS has been addressed in the hospital setting but not in PC. This lack of evidence can begin to be resolved with studies such as the one we present, designed for unselected populations such as those treated in PC and taking the patient's MR as the gold standard, which will allow us to make comparisons with the patient's clinical course.