Table 2.
Summary of responses from all participants divided into those who do (n = 31) and those that do not (n = 101) use thoracic ultrasound when asked to briefly state both the role and potential role of the modality in their future practice (N.B. One individual left this question blank).
| Role of thoracic ultrasound | No. reporting this role (n = 31) | No. reporting this potential role (n = 101) |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced differential diagnosis | 15 | 55 |
| Aid respiratory assessment | 10 | 20 |
| Aid clinical reasoning | 9 | 34 |
| Weaning guidance (from mechanical ventilation) | 6 | 7 |
| Diaphragm function | 5 | 13 |
| Monitoring tool/outcome measure | 4 | 25 |
| Lung ultrasound score | 1 | – |
| In research | 1 | 4 |
| Imaging obtained faster | 1 | 7 |
| Real-time imaging | 1 | 3 |
| In multi-disciplinary team discussions | 1 | 1 |
| Unsure | – | 7 |
| Guiding non-invasive ventilation | – | 3 |
| Reduce imaging radiation exposure | – | 2 |
| In teaching | – | 2 |
| Dysfunctional breathing | – | 2 |
| Compensate for physiotherapist hearing loss | – | 1 |
| Degree of secretions | – | 1 |
| Post-operative pulmonary complications | – | 1 |
| Biofeedback | – | 1 |
| Image at the bedside | – | 1 |
| Serial scanning | – | 1 |