Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Curriculum

Overview

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly recognized as a crucial skill in the practice of internal medicine. Its clinical benefits are well-documented, enhancing patient care across various medical scenarios. The Alliance of Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) advocates for the comprehensive integration of POCUS throughout the continuum of medical training.

Integrated POCUS Training Program

Our residency program offers a progressive three-year longitudinal training in POCUS. Designed to immerse residents in both theory and practical application, the curriculum combines lectures, hands-on practice sessions, and supervised clinical experiences. Residents gain extensive exposure to POCUS in the medical ICU and cardiac care unit under the guidance of chief residents and certified faculty specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine.

Hands-On Learning and Resources

Each floor team is equipped with dedicated handheld ultrasound devices for daily rounds, facilitating immediate clinical decision-making. Advanced ultrasound equipment is also available in our intensive care units and emergency department, ensuring comprehensive training across all clinical settings.

"The longitudinal POCUS curriculum run by the chiefs was one of the best parts of my intern year. Not only did it help me better manage patients almost every single day, it also made me feel more confident in interpreting echocardiograms by myself. Additionally, this served as a springboard in launching my interest in Cardiology🫀"

"Jacobi has an extremely strong POCUS curriculum. It became my 5th vital sign for my patients. We had formal POCUS lectures every Thursday which starts with basic techniques and views and by the end of the year we are taught advance calculations like VTI, TAPSE (for LV/RV failure), how to rule out pneumothorax, lower extremity DVTs etc. Besides the formal teaching, every floor team had their own POCUS equipment to utilize for patient care. Peer to peer POCUS teaching also really added towards enhancing my skills."

Curriculum Goals

Upon completion of our residency program, residents will achieve the following competencies:

Foundational Knowledge: Gain a solid understanding of ultrasound physiology and differentiate between normal and pathological presentations.
Clinical Proficiency: Independently perform point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) assessments across various organ systems.
Educational Capability: Develop skills to effectively teach POCUS techniques to junior residents.
Clinical Impact: Utilize POCUS to expedite diagnoses, enhance procedural accuracy, and deliver high-quality patient care.

Curriculum Structure

Our curriculum employs the following effective teaching methods:

Short Didactic Sessions: Engage residents with concise theoretical insights into ultrasound principles and applications.
Hands-On Practice: Provide frequent opportunities for hands-on scanning during practice sessions, offering real-time feedback on technique.
Case-Based Learning: Facilitate discussions centered around clinical cases, emphasizing the interpretation of pathological ultrasound findings.
Clinical Integration: Offer practical experience through hands-on sessions with real patients, ensuring practical application of learned skills.
Assessment and Feedback: Conduct pre- and post-curriculum assessments, surveys, and standardized competency assessments to track progress and ensure skill proficiency development.

Meet Our POCUS Team

Hassan Patail, MD

Director, POCUS Curriculum
Pulmonary/Critical Care Physician

Elie Flatow, DO

POCUS Course Instructor
Chief Resident

Adhya Mehta, MD

POCUS Course Instructor
Chief Resident

Sumant Pargaonkar, MD

POCUS Course Instructor
Chief Resident