Ultrasound scanning by general practitioners: is it worthwhile?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are several alternatives for providing ultrasound scanning, besides traditional hospital-based services. One such alternative is for general practitioners (GPs) to perform scanning in the community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of GP ultrasound scanning on the use of National Health Service (NHS) resources in the United Kingdom (UK), and elicit patients' preferences for having an ultrasound scan. METHODS: A cost analysis and an assessment of quality of GP scans, based on a clinical audit and a postal survey of patients' preferences, were carried out. The setting was a rural general practice and urban teaching hospital in the Grampian region of Scotland. ..