Evaluating general practitioners’ focused lung ultrasound competence and findings in patients with suspected community-acquired pneumonia in general practice

To evaluate general practitioners’ (GPs’) ability to perform focused lung ultrasound (FLUS) following a training program and assess FLUS feasibility in general practice. Also, to describe FLUS findings and evaluate GPs’ ability to interpret these in adults with acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) when pneumonia is suspected and assess GPs’ perception of FLUS impact. Nine GPs, using point-of-care ultrasound, completed a FLUS training program. Adults (≥ 18 years) with acute cough ( Of 91 patients included, FLUS image quality was acceptable or higher in 84 patients (92.4%). FLUS proved feasible with only two scans not completed. The GPs reported FLUS pathological findings in 51.7% of patients in 78% agreement with the Specialist Reference and Cohen’s kappa 0.56. Focal B-lines represented the most frequent pathological findings. The GPs perceived that FLUS impacted change in tentative diagnosis and/or plans for treatment and/or visitation in 29 (32.0%) of patients. After the training, the GPs performed FLUS well. Interpretation of FLUS pathology presence was of moderate agreement. The GPs perceived that FLUS had impact on patient management. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04711031 This study found that GPs who were already point-of-care ultrasound users, performed FLUS well following a training program.The GPs interpreted presence of pathological findings in about half of patients (51.7%) presenting with symptoms of an acute LRTI, where the GP suspected pneumonia, this in in moderate agreement with FLUS specialists (Cohen’s kappa 0.56).The GPs perceived that FLUS impacted change in the tentative diagnosis and/or plans for treatment and/or visitation in 32% of patients. This study found that GPs who were already point-of-care ultrasound users, performed FLUS well following a training program. The GPs interpreted presence of pathological findings in about half of patients (51.7%) presenting with symptoms of an acute LRTI, where the GP suspected pneumonia, this in in moderate agreement with FLUS specialists (Cohen’s kappa 0.56). The GPs perceived that FLUS impacted change in the tentative diagnosis and/or plans for treatment and/or visitation in 32% of patients.