Bedside Clinical Ultrasound Performed by Family Physicians in Adult Patients With Abdominal Pain in a Hospital Emergency Department: Protocol for a Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable bedside tool that, with adequate training, can reduce diagnostic uncertainty and improve clinical accuracy. Abdominal pain is a frequent complaint in emergency departments and often requires imaging for appropriate management. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of bedside clinical ultrasound performed by family physicians on length of stay, number of basic radiological tests, and need for further diagnostic evaluations in adult patients with abdominal pain. METHODS: This is a pilot quasi-experimental study assessing feasibility and viability, with a non-randomised control group, to be conducted in the Emergency Department of Hospital Comarcal de Riotinto. Adult patients (≥18 years) presenting with abdominal pain will be included. Both groups will receive standard care. In the intervention group, bedside ultrasound will be performed by trained family physicians; in the control group, ultrasound will be performed by radiologists only if deemed necessary. The primary outcome is the improvement in quality of care, assessed through a reduction in emergency department length of stay, fewer basic radiology tests requested, and diagnostic concordance. Secondary outcomes include the need for additional diagnostic studies and the appropriateness of referrals, evaluated through one-month follow-up and reconsultation. RESULTS: The first phase of the project began in 2023 with the validation of the data collection form. Subsequently, the patient satisfaction questionnaire was validated, and the results were published in the journal Atención Primaria. Patient recruitment is expected to be completed in December 2025. CONCLUSIONS: This study aims to demonstrate the clinical and organisational benefits of implementing bedside ultrasound by family physicians in emergency care. CLINICALTRIAL: Clinical trial number: not applicable. The study was classified as health services research rather than a clinical trial, so formal registration in ClinicalTrials.gov is not required.