Abstract
Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasonography (US) (POCUS) has been used in several specialties, particularly in medical emergency. Despite the confirmation of its numerous benefits, the use of POCUS is still timid in nephrology. In the present study, we aim to investigate the use of POCUS by Brazilian nephrologists.Methods: A survey carried out among the members of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology, through institutional e-mail, using the SurveyMonkey platform. We included 12 self-administered questions, which answers were given anonymously.Results: It was evident that the majority (64%) of the participants did not have the opportunity to practice US during their nephrological training in their residency, specialization, or even in internships; those with experience with US use the method mainly for implanting central vascular accesses (68%), performing a renal biopsy (58%) and evaluating renal morphology (50%); and the main barriers for nephrologists who do not yet use US are the high price of US machines (26%) and the lack of time to learn about US (23%). Also, POCUS use for examinations of other organs, such as the lung (31%) and heart (18%), which are fundamental in the cardiovascular and volume assessment of patients with kidney diseases, is even more limited. However, 95% of the participants expressed an interest in learning POCUS for use in their medical practice.Conclusion: Most of the Brazilian nephrologists interviewed were not trained in US; however, almost all of the research participants expressed an interest in learning to use POCUS in nephrological practice.
Highlights
Point-of-care ultrasonography (US) (POCUS) has been used in several specialties, in medical emergency
This study aims to survey the practice of US among physicians in training or the practice of nephrology in Brazil
Of the total nephrologists participating in the study, 55.5% were male, with the highest percentage of respondents (40%) corresponding to the age group between 31 and 40 years of age, and 75% with 11 or more years in the profession
Summary
Point-of-care ultrasonography (US) (POCUS) has been used in several specialties, in medical emergency. We aim to investigate the use of POCUS by Brazilian nephrologists. 95% of the participants expressed an interest in learning POCUS for use in their medical practice. Conclusion: Most of the Brazilian nephrologists interviewed were not trained in US; almost all of the research participants expressed an interest in learning to use POCUS in nephrological practice. A quality physical examination (PE) is essential in the diagnostic process. It is indisputable, it is important to recognize that traditional PE has incorporated a few new technologies, with the stethoscope in 1816 being the most important one.[1]. Traditional PE does not enable us to “look under the skin” of the patient Excellent portability (today units can fit in the in the palm of your hand), the development of US applications that work on smartphone, and the gradual decrease in cost make US a method with enormous potential for incorporation into daily clinical practice.[2]
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