ISSN: 2961 - 4295
Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Family Medicine: A Narrative Review of Clinical Applications, Training, and Implementation
Fahad Saad Z. Alanazi¹, Abdullah Khalid Abusoliman²٭, Areej Abdulmonem H. Abu Hussain³, Najla Naif Alosaimi⁴, Mawaddah Hamed Aljohani⁵, Zainab Saeed H. Alzain⁶, Sadeem Talal S. Alanazi⁷, Suliman Mansour Aldhalaan⁸, Jori Abdulmonem M. Alsulami², Meshari Naif M. Almuqati⁹, Raghad Sayyaf Alshahrani¹⁰, Abdulaziz M. Alzanbaqi², Eman Mohammed H. Mohayya¹¹
DOI:10.64039/djms.2026.2303Background: In family medicine, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is fast becoming an indispensable tool for both diagnosis and procedure. By providing focused bedside imaging that complements the history and physical examination, it enables clinicians to form a more complete clinical picture. Its adoption in primary care has been driven by advances in portable technology, the expansion of residency training, and a growing evidence base supporting clinician-performed ultrasound. However, the existing evidence remains fragmented across the domains of clinical application, education, governance, and emerging technology. We set out to review the current literature to establish where POCUS stands in family medicine and what supports its integration into day-to-day practice.
We conducted a narrative review of the literature. We searched PubMed using six complementary thematic strategies spanning clinical applications, education, training, quality assurance, and emerging technology. Consistent with a narrative review, studies were selected purposively for their relevance to these themes rather than through an exhaustive search. Peer-reviewed studies were screened against predefined relevance criteria, and key data were extracted using a structured template. Given the methodological heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings were synthesised narratively.
The literature indicates that POCUS is being adopted across a broad range of indications in family medicine, including musculoskeletal, abdominal, cardiovascular, and respiratory assessment, as well as vascular access, preventive screening, and office-based procedures. Across studies, POCUS was consistently associated with improved bedside assessment and greater procedural accuracy, supporting more confident clinical decision-making. Successful implementation, however, depends on more than equipment: the evidence highlights the need for structured, competency-based education with supervised training, institutional support, and sustainable reimbursement models. Emerging innovations — including handheld devices, tele-ultrasound, artificial intelligence for image interpretation, and digital learning — may further support the use of POCUS in primary care.
Contemporary evidence supports POCUS as an increasingly valuable component of comprehensive family medicine practice. However, sustainable integration requires more than access to technology; it depends on coordinated investment in physician education, clinical governance, and supportive health policy. Future research should prioritise economic evaluation, patient-centred outcomes, and the validation of emerging technologies to support the safe and equitable expansion of POCUS in primary care.
Genetic Risk Awareness and Knowledge of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abdullah Hamdan Alanazi¹, Jehad Ahmad Alghamdi¹, Abdulrahman Nafae Alanzi¹, Jihad Ali Aldowheer¹, Abdulaziz Alhasan Al-Thunyan¹, Abdulelah Mohammed Alhoweil¹, Hussam Abdulrahman Alromaih¹, Abdulmalik Abdullah Alammar¹, Salahuddin Khan²
DOI:10.64039/djms.2026.2305Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality globally and represent a major public health burden in Saudi Arabia. Awareness of both modifiable and genetic cardiovascular risk factors plays a crucial role in prevention and early risk reduction. This study aimed to assess knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and genetic risk awareness among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed via Google Forms between November and December 2025 among adults aged ≥18 years residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, family history, knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, and awareness of genetic susceptibility. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and associations were evaluated using the Pearson chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test, where appropriate). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
A total of 485 participants completed the study (49.5% aged 18–24 years, 56.3% female). Overall, 75.9% of respondents exhibited good knowledge (≥70%) regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. High awareness was observed for smoking (97.3%), obesity (92.6%), and hypertension (89.7%) as risk factors, whereas knowledge gaps were noted for the protective role of HDL cholesterol (62.9%) and excessive salt intake (62.7%). Most participants acknowledged genetic factors increased CVD risk (67.2%) and expressed interest in further genetic education (78.0%). Good knowledge was significantly higher among males compared to females (83.0% vs. 70.3%; p = 0.001) and among never smokers compared to current and former smokers (77.7% vs. 57.1% and 58.8%, respectively; p = 0.019). Knowledge levels did not differ significantly by age, education, occupation, income, physical activity, or family history of CVD (p > 0.05).
The findings indicate that adults in Riyadh have good awareness of general cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly lifestyle-related behaviors. However, important gaps remain in understanding metabolic risk factors, genetic susceptibility, and personal health risk assessment. The observed knowledge–action gap highlights the need for targeted public health interventions that emphasize individualized risk awareness, improved health literacy, and better integration of genetic and clinical risk communication within primary healthcare services.
Recurrent IgE-Mediated Anaphylactic Transfusion Reactions with Normal IgA in a 98-Year-Old Woman: A Transfusion-Sparing Approach.
Khaled Abdulrahman Ali Alshehri¹, Saud Musaed Omar Alsammahi², Sarah Abdullah Sulaiman Alharby³, Abdullah Hameed Alsehli⁴
DOI:10.64039/djms.2026.2301We report a 98-year-old morbidly obese woman with severe iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin 59 g/L) and multiple comorbidities who developed two consecutive severe anaphylactic reactions to ABO-compatible packed red blood cells, occurring within 10–30 minutes of transfusion and requiring intramuscular epinephrine. Serum IgA was normal, total IgE was elevated (444 IU/mL), and there was no biochemical evidence of hemolysis, supporting an IgE-mediated, non–IgA-related mechanism. Further transfusion was avoided. A transfusion-sparing strategy using intravenous ferric carboxymaltose combined with darbepoetin alfa normalized hemoglobin to 122 g/L within four weeks. This case shows that a normal serum IgA does not exclude an anaphylactic transfusion reaction and that high-dose intravenous iron with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent is an effective, life-saving alternative in elderly, multi-morbid patients with transfusion hypersensitivity.
Necrotizing Pneumonia in a Young Female with Sickle Cell Disease: A Rare and Severe Complication
Mayas Hafez¹, Saida Mohamedelrih¹, Malak Shubbar¹, Mustafa Alnasser¹
DOI:10.64039/djms.2026.2302Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is a rare but severe complication of bacterial pneumonia that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by lung parenchymal destruction and cavitation. Although uncommon in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), it can progress rapidly when it occurs. We report a case of a young female with SCD who initially presented with acute chest syndrome (ACS) and pleural effusion. Despite the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and an exchange transfusion, her symptoms worsened, which made clinical decisions more challenging. However, after correct diagnosis, she responded well to prolonged antibiotic therapy along with surgical care. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of NP, which can develop in SCD patients while resembling other potential diagnoses related to ACS. Delayed diagnosis may lead to significant complications. Imaging, aggressive medical therapy, and close monitoring are essential to improve outcomes.
