[Echography at the point of care : stethoscope of the future for the General Practitioner ?]

Ultrasound is presently emerging not only as a specialist-delegated diagnostic procedure, but also as a tool used by clinicians for guiding decision. If this paradigm shift has taken roots in places like emergency departments, initiatives are also set up here and there in general practice. The aim of this article is , through a literature review, to identify possible indications of ultrasound performed by the general practitioner and to initiate a discussion about the obstacles and opportunities associated with its introduction in Belgian General Practice settings.