{
  "abstract": "Chronic conditions, like coronary heart disease and post stroke status require lifelong care which negatively impacts upon patients’ quality of life and increases burden on the healthcare system. Monitoring routines in chronic conditions, including echocardiography and carotid ultrasound, should have evidence of benefit for the patient, detect deterioration and guide treatment adaptations. However, monitoring routines often lack evidence for intervals, specific tests or apparative diagnostic tools. The aim of this qualitative interview study was to identify the motivations, typical procedures and consequences of monitoring including echocardiography or carotid ultrasound in patients with coronary heart disease or stroke. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 physicians from three different specialties (general practitioners, cardiologists and neurologists) in two German states. Transcripts were analysed with thematic analysis. Physicians considered monitoring generally as beneficial for the patient and the health system, as it helps to detect and in consequence prevent disease progression through adaptation of therapy. Physicians discussed the risks of monitoring like overdiagnosis, overuse and overtreatment when examinations are done too frequently. Reasons and motivations given for echocardiography on coronary heart disease patients and carotid ultrasound monitoring on stroke patients were diverse and ranged from individual feelings and values, like personal assurance and safety concerns for patients, to external factors like financial incentives. Ultrasound examinations as routine monitoring procedures were considered as controversial. Physicians reported insufficient medical benefit for the patient and rarely saw therapeutic consequences. These regularly performed ultrasound examinations strain resources in daily practice and limit availability for acute care. In order to achieve a more efficient and balanced use of monitoring examinations, systematic changes are required at a political level. Further research is needed to evaluate monitoring routines and incorporate evidence-based recommendations into guidelines that optimize patient care and resource use.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Primary Care, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany",
    "Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Julia Heisig"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Laura Rink"
    },
    {
      "name": "Carolin Gonschorek"
    },
    {
      "name": "Lydia König"
    },
    {
      "name": "Lisette Warkentin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Susann Hueber"
    },
    {
      "name": "Thomas Kühlein"
    },
    {
      "name": "Annika Viniol"
    },
    {
      "name": "Veronika van der Wardt"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5rzzf7vd90eyf.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0348530",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "5rzzf7vd90eyf",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0348530",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "3600|Healthcare cost, quality, practices"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Cardiology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Cardiology/Cardiovascular medicine/Cardiovascular diseases/Coronary heart disease"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Diagnostic medicine/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Diagnostic medicine/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging/Echocardiography"
    ],
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      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Health care providers/Physicians"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Primary care"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Cardiovascular diseases/Coronary heart disease"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Cerebrovascular diseases/Stroke"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Neurology/Cerebrovascular diseases/Stroke"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Radiology and imaging/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Radiology and imaging/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging/Echocardiography"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Vascular medicine/Coronary heart disease"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Vascular medicine/Stroke"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Professions/Medical personnel/Physicians"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Imaging techniques/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Imaging techniques/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging/Echocardiography"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Economics/Finance"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212243078",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0348530&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-11",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5rzzf7vd90eyf.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0348530",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0348530"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:cardiology",
      "subfield": "cardiovascular"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:diagnostic radiology",
      "subfield": "imaging"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Motivations, experiences and perspectives of physicians in Germany regarding monitoring routines in coronary heart disease and post-stroke patients: A qualitative interview study",
  "title_text": "Motivations, experiences and perspectives of physicians in Germany regarding monitoring routines in coronary heart disease and post-stroke patients: A qualitative interview study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5rzzf7vd90eyf",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}