Physician perspectives on Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in primary care: a cross-sectional study in Israel.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Family Medicine, Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- 2Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- 3Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel.
- 4Department of Family Medicine, Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. [email protected].
- 5Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers significant potential to enhance diagnostic certainty and therapeutic decision-making in primary care settings. Despite widespread conceptual endorsement and the introduction of training programs, real-world adoption remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate attitudes, clinical practice patterns, and barriers to integration among Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) who received formal POCUS training within a large Israeli healthcare organization.Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among PCPs in one Healthcare Maintenance Organization in Israel who had previously completed POCUS training. Data were collected via an electronic questionnaire assessing specific modules used, device types, satisfaction levels, and perceived barriers. Respondents were categorized as active, former, or never users, and statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations among device type, usage, and satisfaction.Results
Of 341 eligible PCPs, 126 completed the survey (37% response rate). The majority (88%) were active users. The most frequently utilized applications were lung (93%), abdominal (79%), and musculoskeletal (55%) assessments, with a specific focus on lung parenchyma and urinary pathologies. Active users reported high levels of diagnostic confidence (84%) and believed POCUS improved treatment (77%). The primary barriers cited were a lack of time (60%), a lack of experience (50%), a lack of confidence (39%), and insufficient compensation (32%).Conclusions
Trained PCPs perceive POCUS as a valuable tool that enhances diagnosis and treatment. However, barriers regarding time constraints, confidence, and experience persist despite formal training. Successful integration of POCUS in primary care requires addressing these workflow-specific challenges and selecting devices that align with the unique needs of ambulatory practice.
Related
- Adverse health outcomes and patient and physician perspectives of attenuated androgen use in hereditary angioedema☆
- Harmful dimensions of medical culture across physician subgroups: a cross-sectional study of 1002 physicians predominantly practising in Belgium.
- Exploring barriers and facilitators for non-communicable disease care for persons living with HIV in Peru through a socioecological framework: HIV physician and coordinator perspectives
- Integration of the Integrated Emergency Surgical Officers (IESO) initiative within the health system: Perspectives of non-physician surgeons in Ethiopia’s Tigray region
- Association of Primary Care Physician Density With Metastatic Cancer at Initial Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study of 7 Cancers.
BibTeX
@article{yehoshua2026physician,
title = {{Physician perspectives on Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in primary care: a cross-sectional study in Israel.}},
author = {Ilan Yehoshua and Dor Atias and Taly Birman and Alon Bar El and Limor Boker Faran and Miri Mizrahi Reuveni and Bar Cohen and Limor Adler},
journal = {BMC primary care},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12875-026-03476-2},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42897474},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Physician perspectives on Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in primary care: a cross-sectional study in Israel.
AU - Ilan Yehoshua
AU - Dor Atias
AU - Taly Birman
AU - Alon Bar El
AU - Limor Boker Faran
AU - Miri Mizrahi Reuveni
AU - Bar Cohen
AU - Limor Adler
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC primary care
DO - 10.1186/s12875-026-03476-2
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42897474
AB - Background Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers significant potential to enhance diagnostic certainty and therapeutic decision-making in primary care settings. Despite widespread conceptual endorsement and the introduction of training programs, real-world adoption remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate attitudes, clinical practice patterns, and barriers to integration among Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) who received formal POCUS training within a large Israeli healthcare organization.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among PCPs in one Healthcare Maintenance Organization in Israel who had previously completed POCUS training. Data were collected via an electronic questionnaire assessing specific modules used, device types, satisfaction levels, and perceived barriers. Respondents were categorized as active, former, or never users, and statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations among device type, usage, and satisfaction.Results Of 341 eligible PCPs, 126 completed the survey (37% response rate). The majority (88%) were active users. The most frequently utilized applications were lung (93%), abdominal (79%), and musculoskeletal (55%) assessments, with a specific focus on lung parenchyma and urinary pathologies. Active users reported high levels of diagnostic confidence (84%) and believed POCUS improved treatment (77%). The primary barriers cited were a lack of time (60%), a lack of experience (50%), a lack of confidence (39%), and insufficient compensation (32%).Conclusions Trained PCPs perceive POCUS as a valuable tool that enhances diagnosis and treatment. However, barriers regarding time constraints, confidence, and experience persist despite formal training. Successful integration of POCUS in primary care requires addressing these workflow-specific challenges and selecting devices that align with the unique needs of ambulatory practice.
SN - 2731-4553
ER -