Obstetric ultrasound in family practice: the effect of on-site ultrasound facilities.
At a time of controversy about the appropriate use of obstetric ultrasound, this study explores the effect of availability on ultrasound use. Using a historical cohort design with chart review, pregnancy ultrasound rates were compared between two teaching family-medical centres, one with on-site ultrasound facilities and one without. Pregnant patients at the centre with on-site facilities (n=23) were 2.2 times more likely (p<0.05) to have an ultrasound scan than patients (n=20) cared for at the centre without facilities. At both centres, patients who had one ultrasound scan stood a 50% chance of having another. The implications for family medicine training are discussed.
R P
RP
Strasser
M J
MJ
Bass
Can Fam Physician. 1984 Oct;30:1979-82
21279110
N Engl J Med. 1979 Jan 25;300(4):193-4
759846
Med Care. 1976 Apr;14(4):294-314
1263626
JAMA. 1981 Nov 13;246(19):2195-201
7197307
Lancet. 1984 Jul 28;2(8396):207-11
6146762
J Fam Pract. 1987 Jun;24(6):619-23
3585266
J Community Health. 1978 Summer;3(4):292-305
730840