Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) has entered the limelight of diagnostic tools, and for good reason. This non-invasive, radiation-free imaging modality serves as an extension of the physical exam. Whether in the inpatient or outpatient setting, POCUS has numerous clinical applications within family medicine.
Bedside ultrasound touches nearly every aspect of patient care, from diagnosis to procedures. It’s an invaluable tool for identifying pulmonary edema in a patient with dyspnea, identifying subcutaneous abscesses, monitoring early pregnancy, and detecting gallstones in the clinic, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. It’s also widely used for guidance in procedures such as arthrocentesis and vascular access.
POCUS is especially useful for family physicians practicing in rural or resource-limited settings. Real-time imaging at the bedside not only reduces delays in care, but also increases patient satisfaction.1 This is instrumental for strengthening trust in the patient-physician relationship, which is vital in primary care.
Conveniently, POCUS aligns with the osteopathic principle of interrelated structure and function. It can even be used to address certain musculoskeletal and soft tissue complaints. So, as an osteopathic medical student, why should you “focus on POCUS”?
POCUS for Students
POCUS is growing. In 2014 very few residency programs had a formal POCUS curriculum, but by 2019, 53% reported an established core POCUS curriculum.2 Harnessing POCUS skills early can give you an advantage during rotations and sub-Is. Bedside ultrasound continues to evolve, with some modalities even incorporating AI. If your school offers POCUS electives, consider enrolling, or explore free open-access medical education sites like POCUS 101 or The POCUS Atlas. Early exposure can help you develop clinical reasoning and pattern recognition. Starting now can boost your clinical confidence and align your skillset with the future of osteopathic family medicine.
Key Takeaway
With POCUS, the physical exam becomes more powerful. By detecting disease at the bedside, osteopathic family physicians can reduce unnecessary referrals, improving continuity of care. More residency programs are adopting a longitudinal POCUS curriculum, but don’t worry, there are many free self-study resources for medical students. The scope of POCUS is remarkably versatile. Are you ready to harness the power of the probe?
References
- Howard ZD, Noble VE, Marill KA, Sajed D, Rodrigues M, Bertuzzi B, Liteplo AS. Bedside ultrasound maximizes patient satisfaction. J Emerg Med. 2014;46(1):46-53. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.05.044.
- Hall JWW, Holman H, Barreto TW, et al. Point-of-care ultrasound in family medicine residencies 5-year update: a CERA study. Fam Med. 2020;52(7):505-511. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2020.223648
