Telemedicine-assisted point-of-care ultrasound to improve the quality of patient care in rural areas
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: PURPOSE: Limited access to specialist expertise in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in rural areas may adversely affect patient care and healthcare systems by increasing reliance on costly imaging modalities (e.g., computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and unnecessary patient transfers to specialized centers. Telemedical support represents a promising strategy to address this gap. METHODS: In this block-randomized controlled trial with allocation concealment, a total of 358 patients requiring ultrasound were assigned to two POCUS groups: 184 patients received standard POCUS without teleconsultation, and 174 received POCUS supported by remote experts via telemedicine. All examinations were performed by the most experienced available local providers. Standardized post-examination questionnaires were administered to assess perceptions of the diagnostic process. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between telemedicine-assisted POCUS and standard POCUS. The study also provides insights into the feasibility and diagnostic performance of teleconsultation-supported ultrasound in real-world clinical settings. MRI utilization was significantly lower in the teleconsultation group (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Telemedicine-assisted POCUS demonstrated acceptability and comparable care outcomes relative to standard practice. Its potential to reduce reliance on high-cost diagnostic modalities supports its relevance as a scalable and efficient care model.
Source: ULTRASONOGRAPHY
DOI: 10.14366/usg.25133
Authors: Tobias Kleemann, Robert Freund, Denise Müller, Carola Güther, Alina Duma, Awsan Mohamed, Quang Trung Tran, Madlen Löbel, Sven Pannach, Dirk Briesemann, Tina Diepelt, Dimitrios Aretakis, Alexander Wree, Frank Tacke, Steffen Ortmann, Marten Schulz
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7160200242