Objective:

To explore patients' experiences with point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) during clinical encounters.

Approach:

• Study Design: Qualitative study involving interviews with patients who received POCUS at a tertiary-care academic hospital.
• Participants: 18 patients, primarily from the emergency room, were recruited for interviews.
• Analysis Method: Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data.

Key Findings:

• Patients reported POCUS as a positive experience that enhanced reassurance and involvement in their care.
• POCUS was viewed as part of a broader clinical encounter rather than an isolated diagnostic test.
• Patients expressed trust in clinicians performing POCUS despite limited understanding of the technology.

Interpretation:

The study suggests that POCUS fosters patient-centered interactions through increased clinician presence and real-time communication, enhancing the overall patient experience.

Limitations:

• All participants were from the emergency room, which may not reflect experiences in general internal medicine wards.
• Non-English-speaking patients were excluded, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings.
• The study does not distinguish whether benefits are due to POCUS itself or clinician behaviors it encourages.

Conclusion:

POCUS may serve as a facilitator of patient-centered interaction rather than just a diagnostic tool, highlighting the need for further research to understand its role in clinical practice.