

Reboot #108 POCUS: Point-of-care Ultrasound for the Internist
Aug 7, 2019
Dr. Renee Dversdal discusses the value of Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) in internal medicine, including defining POCUS, its role in physical exams, training pathways, and billing appropriateness. The podcast explores POCUS benefits, training opportunities, and the rise of POCUS in clinical practice, emphasizing its significance in accurate diagnosis and patient care.
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POCUS Versus Formal Ultrasound
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) means the clinician uses ultrasound in real-time at the bedside to acquire and interpret images.
- It differs from formal ultrasound, which involves ordering a test done by a sonographer and interpreted later by a radiologist or cardiologist.
Why Internal Medicine Lags in POCUS
- Internal medicine has been slow to adopt POCUS because of its emphasis on cognitive skills and demand for robust evidence.
- Emergency medicine advanced faster due to clear trauma use cases and earlier research development supporting POCUS.
Train Longitudinally to Gain POCUS Skill
- Learning POCUS proficiency requires longitudinal training with at least 50% hands-on experience.
- Start practicing regularly, focus on basic scans, and seek feedback to avoid errors.