The website of the Clinical Services Journal

Bridging the skills gap in point-of-care ultrasound

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is fast becoming an essential tool in modern medicine, yet access to adequate and appropriate training is still an issue for doctors wanting to introduce the technique into their everyday practice. Dr Sean Bennett and Dr Stephen D’Souza discuss the growing role of ultrasound education and the benefits it brings to the medical community.

Point-of-care ultrasound has grown tremendously in popularity over the past 25 years, proving a vital development in modern medicine and leading to significant improvements in patient management across a variety of clinical fields. However, as it is a relatively new technique, many of the consultants who routinely use POCUS did not receive ultrasound training at medical school and have had to learn ‘on the job’.

Technology tends to move faster than traditional medical training and, for many years, a gap has existed where doctors recognised the benefits ultrasound would bring to their practice, but lacked in-depth knowledge of the physics behind it, the skills required to acquire and interpret high quality images, and the ability to integrate this information into their clinical decision making. 

As a result, ultrasound education is increasingly in demand and, over the last 10 to 15 years, training has developed in line with advances in technology, e-learning, and through feedback obtained from past courses. Many medical schools now include ultrasound education as part of the curriculum, although the training is of varying depth and application.

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025