POCUS in European Primary Care: Policies, Practices, and Perspectives — A Delphi-Based Interactive Workshop
Virginie DUMONT, Jeoffrey SEGURA, Lucas PAQUE and Alexandre ALESSI
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in primary care across Europe, yet significant variations persist in training pathways, certification systems, reimbursement mechanisms, and clinical adoption. A working group of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) recently conducted a comparative analysis identifying ultrasound examinations that can be performed in primary care and prioritising those most relevant for general practitioners (GPs). Whether these expert-derived priorities align with real-world practice remains unclear.This workshop aims to: – Present a comparative overview of POCUS implementation across Europe. – Capture participants’ practical experience and perceived needs through interactive polling. – Compare frontline perspectives with the EFSUMB analysis using a Delphi-inspired discussion.The session consists of three interactive parts: Part 1 — European POCUS Landscape: Short presentations by multiple speakers outlining national models for training, certification, and reimbursement. Part 2 — Participant Experience (Wooclap): Live polling to assess current POCUS use, priorities, barriers, and expectations of attending GPs. Part 3 — Delphi Confrontation: Small-group and plenary discussions contrasting participants’ views with EFSUMB expert conclusions to identify convergences and divergences. While the workshop will be delivered in French, Part 3 may be conducted in English to enable a wider and richer debate.The workshop will highlight areas where expert recommendations align—or not—with the realities of primary care. It will identify POCUS applications perceived as most valuable by GPs, reveal gaps in training and system organisation, and provide insights to support more coherent European strategies.By combining European comparative data, participant feedback, and a Delphi-inspired exchange, this workshop will generate practical guidance for strengthening the integration of POCUS in general practice and informing future European recommendations.
