Uso de la ecografía clínica en Atención Primaria. Estudio prospectivo multicéntrico

Objective

The objective was to describe the characteristics of the use of clinical ultrasound in two health centers (SC) of Health Area VII of the Region of Murcia (CS Murcia-Sur and CS Floridablanca).

Design

Observational, descriptive, longitudinal, prospective and multicenter study.

Site

CS Murcia-Sur and CS Floridablanca (Health Area VII of the Region of Murcia).

Participants

One hundred and thirty-five patients were included.

Interventions

Performance of clinical ultrasound in the primary care (PC) consultation.

Main measurements

Demographic variables (age, sex), as well as clinical variables (reason for consultation, type of ultrasound, results, referrals to the second hospital level, degree of diagnostic agreement) were collected.

Results

One hundred and thirty-five patients were included, more than 50% were female. The main reason for consultation was musculoskeletal and soft tissue symptoms (44.4%), followed by digestive symptoms (21.5%). 44.4% of the ultrasounds were classified as normal, while pathological findings were found in 55.6%. Confirmatory tests were requested in 43.7% and the findings were confirmed in 67% of the patients.

Conclusions

The use of ultrasound in PC allows to show the high prevalence of pathological findings in the examination of patients. In a technique that helps the clinician in his diagnostic-therapeutic process. The integration of clinical ultrasound in the PC consultation can save complementary studies and referrals to a second level of care. Its implementation in PC requires proper training of professionals.