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Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
Point of Care Ultrasound, or POCUS, is a quick ultrasound exam performed at the bedside in order to answer specific clinical questions in a timely manner. There are now many handheld devices that have made ultrasound easier and more accessible to clinicians in all types of settings, including ER, ICU, outpatient clinics and even home visits. Furthermore, bedside ultrasound can also be used to assist in procedures such as musculoskeletal injections, endometrial biopsies, IUD placement, cyst or abscess drainage, among others.
Most DPC physicians use their handheld ultrasound probe similarly to the way a physician uses their stethoscope, answering yes or no questions, such as: Does the patient have hydronephrosis? Does the patient have gallstones or a Murphy’s sign? Does the patient have lung consolidation or pleural effusion? Does the patient’s knee have an effusion? These yes or no questions may then need further work up or a procedure, but POCUS will lead the clinician to the correct diagnosis by ruling out or ruling in disease.
There are many different handheld models available. Here is a great overview of the different types including costs and benefits: https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/hi-res/fpm20201100p33-ut4.gif
So how do you get started??
We definitely recommend that you start by attending one of the many ultrasound courses available. A few of the best ones are listed below.
POCUS Courses:
We will try to keep an up-to-date list of ultrasound courses that are available to DPC doctors. If you have one you would like to add to the list, please let us know!
- The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Portland, Oregon
- Portland Point of Care Ultrasound Course. Portland, Maine
- Point of Care Ultrasound for General and Hospital Medicine. Greenville, SC
- Introduction to Primary Care Ultrasound. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
- 10th Point of Care Ultrasound Workshop. University of Texas Health San Antonio, TX
- Global Ultrasound Institute (GUSI)
Here is a review of point-of-care ultrasound devices for more in-depth information.
(This list was updated as of 5/11/2022)
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Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
Point of Care Ultrasound, or POCUS, is a quick ultrasound exam performed at the bedside in order to answer specific clinical questions in a timely manner. There are now many handheld devices that have made ultrasound easier and more accessible to clinicians in all types of settings, including ER, ICU, outpatient clinics and even home visits. Furthermore, bedside ultrasound can also be used to assist in procedures such as musculoskeletal injections, endometrial biopsies, IUD placement, cyst or abscess drainage, among others.
Most DPC physicians use their handheld ultrasound probe similarly to the way a physician uses their stethoscope, answering yes or no questions, such as: Does the patient have hydronephrosis? Does the patient have gallstones or a Murphy’s sign? Does the patient have lung consolidation or pleural effusion? Does the patient’s knee have an effusion? These yes or no questions may then need further work up or a procedure, but POCUS will lead the clinician to the correct diagnosis by ruling out or ruling in disease.
There are many different handheld models available. Here is a great overview of the different types including costs and benefits: https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/hi-res/fpm20201100p33-ut4.gif
So how do you get started??
We definitely recommend that you start by attending one of the many ultrasound courses available. A few of the best ones are listed below.
POCUS Courses:
We will try to keep an up-to-date list of ultrasound courses that are available to DPC doctors. If you have one you would like to add to the list, please let us know!
- The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Portland, Oregon
- Portland Point of Care Ultrasound Course. Portland, Maine
- Point of Care Ultrasound for General and Hospital Medicine. Greenville, SC
- Introduction to Primary Care Ultrasound. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
- 10th Point of Care Ultrasound Workshop. University of Texas Health San Antonio, TX
- Global Ultrasound Institute (GUSI)
Here is a review of point-of-care ultrasound devices for more in-depth information.
(This list was updated as of 5/11/2022)