Attitudes of Healthcare Staff Related to Using Point of Care Ultrasound for Frailty Assessment, A Qualitative Study

Frailty is a common syndrome in older adults that informs many aspects of patient care. Recent studies suggest that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may be useful in bedside frailty assessment by identifying muscle characteristics associated with frailty such as decreased muscle thickness and increased intramuscular fat. To explore current perspectives on using POCUS in frailty assessment as well as frailty assessment practices, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 interdisciplinary staff in a specialized geriatrics unit. Responses were coded and analyzed to inductively determine common themes. Frailty definitions and assessment methods varied widely across and within disciplines. Patient cooperation and time were perceived as main barriers to frailty assessment. Objective measures were not employed by most participants. Most participants were familiar with POCUS and thought it could be helpful to assess frailty. Reported potential barriers to implementation included time, cost, training, and patient cooperation. POCUS offers objective evidence of frailty in hospitalized older adults who are often unable to fully participate in standardized frailty assessments. This qualitative study highlights a need for standardization and objectivity in current practice while identifying practical considerations for implementing POCUS.