@article{10.22454/FamMed.2026.562582,
author = {Balezantis, Lindsay and Hosain, Jason and Ledding, Kevin and Sullivan, Emily and Smith, Sheila and Baerwald, Angela},
title = {Ultrasound in Primary Care Practice, Teaching, and Research in Saskatchewan, Canada},
journal = {Family Medicine},
volume = {0},
number = {0},
year = {1},
month = {1},
doi = {10.22454/FamMed.2026.562582},
abstract = {Background and Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in family medicine within North America. To investigate current use and interests in incorporating ultrasonography into postgraduate family medicine teaching and research, we conducted a prospective quality improvement study at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Methods: We sent a survey to all family physicians at eight academic sites; faculty with and without academic appointments were included.
Results: More than 90% of faculty saw a role for ultrasonography in primary care, but less than 35% conducted ultrasonography in their clinical practice. The proportion of physicians conducting ultrasound was similar between those with and without academic appointments. The proportion of physicians conducting ultrasound off-site was greater among those with academic appointments. Common themes to support the use of ultrasonography included using ultrasound imaging as an adjunct to the physical exam, to guide clinical reasoning, and to guide procedures. Family physicians in rural locations felt the use of ultrasonography for teaching and research would improve patient access to imaging. Challenges in implementing ultrasonography included having inadequate resources to acquire training, lack of time for teaching, and confusion around billing.
Conclusions: The results of this survey demonstrated that family physicians find ultrasonography useful in clinical practice and are willing to teach residents ultrasound skills. Family physicians also saw a strong role for using ultrasonography in research. The results of this study can be used to inform POCUS curriculum development in family medicine postsecondary education, thereby providing leading, evidence-based primary care delivery.},
URL = {https://journals.stfm.org//familymedicine/online-first/baerwald-0035/},
eprint = {https://journals.stfm.org//media/ccyig33z/fammed-2026-0035.pdf},
}