Tele-guided lung ultrasound may be acceptable to paramedics
Trainees rated remote-guided imaging favorably, while technical reliability and communication emerged as barriers to implementation.
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By
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Andrea Surnit
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September 1, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Tele-guided lung ultrasound may be acceptable to paramedics
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Tele-guided lung ultrasound |
| Key Mechanisms | Real-time guidance from expert sonographers to paramedics performing lung ultrasound examinations. |
| Target Population | Specialist paramedic trainees |
| Care Setting | Out-of-hospital emergency care |
Key Highlights
- Overall acceptability rated 5.37; feasibility rated 5.51.
- Participants rated interest in implementation and commitment to implementation at 5.89.
- Key barriers identified include equipment reliability and technical issues.
- Standardized terminology and protocols recommended to improve communication.
- Study limited by small sample size and lack of clinical generalizability.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Tele-guided lung ultrasound can improve diagnostic capabilities for paramedics.
Management
- Additional training and troubleshooting recommended to address technical challenges.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Continuous evaluation of system support and resources needed for implementation.
Risks
- Potential for incorrect probe orientation and connectivity issues affecting image quality.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Healthy volunteers used for training; clinical applicability to patients with lung pathology not evaluated.
Effective tele-ultrasound depends on connectivity and device performance.
Clinical Best Practices
- Implement standardized terminology and stepwise protocols for tele-ultrasound.
- Ensure adequate training for paramedics on software and equipment use.
- Establish closed-loop communication between paramedics and remote sonographers.
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