Mobile ultrasound devices are gaining in importance in German general practitioners’ practices and allow complaints such as abdominal pain, respiratory infections, fractures or dyspnea to be quickly clarified directly during the consultation. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) enables primary care physicians to make a diagnosis faster, especially for time-limited examinations and non-specific symptoms.

The German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) is currently working on quality standards for the safe use of POCUS in primary care. A new curriculum, which focuses on practice-relevant basic skills, is currently being finalized and is to be published soon. It defines anatomical basics, sound windows, differential diagnoses and test requirements for each indication in order to ensure that it is used in accordance with guidelines.

The deputy head of the DEGUM working group on general practitioner care, Dr. med. Benjamin Bode, emphasizes the advantages for common complaints such as respiratory infections, lower abdominal pain or soft tissue changes. POCUS allows immediate narrowing down of causes, such as the detection of pneumonia, the identification of uncomplicated diverticulitis or the differentiation of abscesses and harmless swellings.

The routine use of POCUS reduces waiting times for specialist appointments, as additional imaging procedures are often omitted. At the same time, this reduces treatment costs. However, DEGUM points out the limits of focused examination: In complex cases, users must forward unclear findings to specialized centers or radiological facilities.

Better sonographic training at universities contributes to the increase in the competence of young doctors. DEGUM recommends that interested family doctors attend certified courses and regular further training.

A major barrier to further dissemination remains insufficient remuneration. POCUS is not billable to cover costs in most federal states; only in Brandenburg does a separate number exist. DEGUM is calling for a nationwide uniform remuneration structure to facilitate the purchase of mobile devices.

Despite these hurdles, the professional society sees a positive development. Miniaturized devices, digital learning opportunities, and future AI applications that automatically recognize findings and provide recommendations for action will make POCUS the standard in primary care diagnostics over the next five to ten years.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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