# Bedside Clinical Ultrasound Performed by Family Physicians in Adult Patients With Abdominal Pain in a Hospital Emergency Department: Protocol for a Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how family physicians using bedside ultrasound can improve care for adults with abdominal pain in emergency departments.

## Contribution

The study introduces a pilot quasi-experimental design to evaluate family physicians' use of bedside ultrasound in emergency abdominal pain management.

## Key findings

- The study will assess if bedside ultrasound reduces emergency department length of stay.
- It will evaluate if fewer basic radiology tests are needed with family physician-performed ultrasound.
- The study will measure diagnostic concordance and appropriateness of referrals.

## Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound is a valuable bedside tool that, with adequate training, can reduce diagnostic uncertainty and improve clinical accuracy. Abdominal pain is a frequent complaint in emergency departments and often requires imaging for appropriate management.

This study aims to assess the impact of bedside clinical ultrasound performed by family physicians on length of stay, number of basic radiological tests, and need for further diagnostic evaluations in adult patients with abdominal pain.

This is a pilot quasi-experimental study assessing feasibility and viability, with a nonrandomized control group, to be conducted in the Emergency Department of Hospital Comarcal de Riotinto. Adult patients (≥18 y) presenting with abdominal pain will be included. Both groups will receive standard care. In the intervention group, bedside ultrasound will be performed by trained family physicians; in the control group, ultrasound will be performed by radiologists only if deemed necessary. The primary outcome is the improvement in quality of care, assessed through a reduction in emergency department length of stay, fewer basic radiology tests requested, and diagnostic concordance. Secondary outcomes include the need for additional diagnostic studies and the appropriateness of referrals, evaluated through 1-month follow-up and reconsultation.

The first phase of the project began in 2023 with the validation of the data collection form. Subsequently, the patient satisfaction questionnaire was validated, and the results were published in the journal Care Primary. The study has received external funding, and patient recruitment is currently ongoing and expected to be completed in December 2025.

This study aims to demonstrate the clinical and organizational benefits of implementing bedside ultrasound by family physicians in emergency care.