Knee osteoarthritis is often difficult to diagnose, especially in people with early or mild symptoms. Improving early diagnosis ideally starts in general practice, the first step for most people with knee pain. The development and introduction of a smartphone-based point-of-care (POC) ultrasound application with artificial intelligence (AI) for early detection of knee osteoarthritis has the potential to address this diagnostic challenge for general practitioners. POC-ultrasound is performed by the general practitioner, so that the diagnosis is immediately known and treatment can start. This affordable AI-driven POC ultrasound device eliminates the observer dependency that characterizes ultrasound and minimizes the training required.

Evidence based practice is "the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patients values". Although the relevance of research evidence and clinical expertise is recognized, patient values seem neglected. The aim of this study is to implement EBP in daily nursing practice by involving patients in decision making.