Premium
Physician‐performed chest ultrasound: progress and future directions
Author(s) -
Denton Eve J.,
Hannan Liam M.,
Hew Mark
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.13328
Subject(s) - medicine , ultrasound , lung ultrasound , radiology , respiratory system
Background Pleural ultrasound guidance reduces complications of pleural procedures, and lung ultrasound can diagnose the cause of acute respiratory failure. Yet as recently as 5 years ago, many respiratory physicians lacked sufficient access, training and expertise to perform a chest ultrasound. Aims This study examines whether progress has been achieved in chest ultrasound amongst respiratory physicians in Australia and New Zealand. Methods We conducted a web‐based chest ultrasound survey of adult respiratory physicians across Australia and New Zealand. We also surveyed advanced trainees. Results The response rate was 38% among respiratory physicians. Between 2011 and 2016, access to bedside ultrasound increased from 53 to 90%. The proportion arranging ultrasound guidance for pleural aspiration rose from 66 to 95%. The proportion demonstrably competent in pleural ultrasound increased from 4 to 21%. In 2016, 67% of physicians and 80% of advanced trainees reported available workplace supervision for ultrasound training. Use of lung ultrasound to diagnose acute pulmonary oedema and consolidation improved from 2011 but remained low at 25 and 20% respectively. Conclusion These results establish pleural ultrasound guidance for pleural procedures as the standard of care in our region. However, lung ultrasound remains underutilised. Ultrasound training can and should be incorporated into specialist respiratory training.