Reduced use of diagnostic obstetric ultrasound in Norway. Result of consensus panel recommending routine screening in pregnancy?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the practice of obstetric ultrasound in Norway before and 2 years after a consensus conference recommending routine screening. Material, method: Two national representative materials sampled with a 2-year interval are compared.


RESULTS
The average number of examinations was reduced from 2.46 to 2.2 (p = 0.014). Obstetrical institutions practising screening examined their patient less frequently than non-screening institutions (2.10 vs. 2.75 times, p less than 0.001 whereas in 1986 the converse was the case.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening has become more widespread, and a more rational practice has developed.
Backe
B
B
Norwegian Institute of Hospital Research Trondheim.
Nafstad
P
P
Saetnan
A R
AR
D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*