Point-of-care ultrasonography in Norwegian out-of-hours primary health care

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the extent of ultrasound availability in Norwegian casualty clinics and estimate the prevalence of its use. DESIGN: A retrospective study based on a national casualty clinic registry and data from reimbursement claims. SETTING: Out-of-hours primary health care in Norway. SUBJECTS: All Norwegian casualty clinics in 2016 and reimbursement claims from 2008 to 2015. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percent of casualty clinics with ultrasound, types of ultrasound devices and probes, reasons for/against ultrasound access, characteristics of clinics with/without ultrasound, frequency of five ultrasound indications and characteristics of the physicians using/not using ultrasound. RESULTS: Out of 182 casualty clinics, 41 (23%) reported access to ultrasound. Mobile (49%) and stationary (44%) devices were most frequent. Physician request was the most common cited reason for ultrasound access (66%). Neither population served by the casualty clinic nor distance to hospital showed any clear association with ultrasound access. All of the five ultrasound reimbursement codes showed a substantial increase from 2008 to 2015 with 14.1 ultrasound examinations being performed per 10,000 consultations in 2015. Only 6.5% of physicians performed ultrasound in 2015 and males were significantly more likely to use ultrasound than females (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.38–2.47, p < .001), even when adjusted for age, speciality status and geography. CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of ultrasound is increasing in out-of-hours Norwegian primary health care, most casualty clinics do not have access and only a minority of physicians use ultrasound.