Abstract:
BACKGROUND : The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an essential skill in the practice
of emergency medicine (EM), with benefit to patient care by improving diagnostic accuracy.
Despite this, there exists little data evaluating the use of POCUS in South African emergency
units (EUs.).
METHODS : One hundred and seventeen doctors working in 12 public and private sector EUs in
Tshwane were included. A questionnaire was used comprising of descriptive data regarding
doctor demographics, levels of experience, and outcome data including POCUS frequency
use, training level, indications for, and barriers to its use.
RESULTS : Many participants were general practitioners working in EUs (58.1%) followed by
EM specialists and EM registrars. Of these participants, 88% used POCUS. Seventy one
percent received informal POCUS training only. The indications for POCUS use were similar
for both public and private sector, with no significant differences in overall use. The only
significant association to POCUS use was age (> 33.3 years) and number of years since
qualification (> 6.9 years.) Lack of and/or access to training were the main reasons for not
using POCUS (18.8%.) There were no significant differences in the barriers to the use of
POCUS between the sectors.
CONCLUSION : Point-of-care ultrasound is used similarly in both public and private sector EUs
in Tshwane. Lack of and/or access to POCUS training are the main barrier to its use.
CONTRIBUTION : This study underlines the state of POCUS use in Tshwane and highlights the
barriers to its use, thus allowing academic heads and hospital managers to address them.
Description:
DATA AVAILABILITY : The data that support the findings of this study are available
on request from the corresponding author, N.H. The data are
not publicly available because it comprises information that
could compromise the privacy of the participating institutions.
