Point-of-care ultrasonography in nephrology: a cross-sectional national survey among Brazilian nephrologists

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.

Point of care ultrasonography as the new “Laennec Sthetoscope”

“…The percentage of nephrologist interested in learning POCUS is high (95% in a recent Brazilian-survey), although most of them think in POCUS as a help for central venous catheters placement and not as a guide to do volume assessment, lung evaluation, etc [ 14 ] .…”

Impactos da ultrassonografia nas complicações imediatas do cateterismo venoso central no cenário de residência médica

“…Em 2021, foi realizada pesquisa nacional entre nefrologistas brasileiros com 517 entrevistas, onde foi constatado que 64% dos participantes não tiveram a oportunidade de praticar a técnica por USG na residência de nefrologia, especialização ou mesmo em estágios externos, e que dos que tiveram experiência com o aparelho, apenas 68% foram para a implantação de CVC ou cateter de diálise. Por outro lado, 95% dos participantes expressaram interesse em aprender sobre o método POCUS para sua prática médica (BASTOS et al, 2021).…”

Utilizing point-of-care ultrasound in the cardiorenal clinic to enhance patient care

“…In the recent past, there has been a growing interest in point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in the field of nephrology, which was elegantly highlighted by Dr. Bastos and colleagues in their national survey 1 . Interestingly, 72% of the survey respondents had an ultrasound machine available for them to use at their institutions.…”