title: Geriatricians' interest to learn bedside portable ultrasound (GEBUS) for application in the clinical practice and in education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Technological advances have allowed ultrasound machines to become portable, pocket-size aids to diagnosis and clinical examination. As technology becomes more available, physicians are challenged to educate themselves and new generations of health providers in the usage of bedside portable ultrasonography.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to survey a representative sample of geriatricians in South Carolina to evaluate their current knowledge about the use of ultrasound machines in the primary care of the elderly, to determine their willingness to adopt the technology and willingness to educate physicians and medical students, and to identify hurdles for the implementation in the clinical and educational environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen physicians and geriatricians participated in the survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient geriatric practice, Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, inpatient geriatric practice, home-based care, Veterans Affairs hospital program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 22-item survey regarding geriatric bedside ultrasound (GEBUS) in the clinical setting and in education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most physicians (92.8%) had heard of GEBUS performed by primary care physicians, and 21.4% had previous formal training. That same percentage also had some training in interpreting ultrasound. Only one physician felt comfortable using the machine and none felt ready to instruct other medical staff and students. Most of the participating group of physicians (71%-85%) expressed an interest in learning this new skill to apply in clinic, research, and medical education. Challenges for wide implementation were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GEBUS is a technology that is now available to the practitioner. Participating geriatricians are ready to embrace this technology in clinical practice and in medical education. Challenges to current implementation include cost, training, liability, credentialing, and lack of reimbursement.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Palmetto Health Alliance/University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA. Andres.Leone@palmettohealth.org
authors.forename: Andres F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Debra E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Krotish
authors.forename: G Paul
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Eleazer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013022:South Carolina; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*