Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an invaluable clinical tool gaining traction as more physicians recognize its utility. However, pediatric residency programs lag behind internal medicine (IM) and emergency medicine in incorporating formal POCUS training. A survey of 90 programs found that 37.5% of IM and 43.5% of medicine-pediatrics (MP) programs offered formal curricula, compared to only 12.4% of pediatric programs (1). In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlighted improved patient outcomes with POCUS, underscoring its growing importance (2).
Purpose: This project aims to design, implement, and evaluate a longitudinal pediatric POCUS curriculum to enhance awareness, knowledge, and clinical utilization. The focus is on foundational skills through didactic sessions and guided hands-on practice, paving the way for future clinical decision-making with POCUS. While ultimately, the goal is for POCUS to be used in clinical decision-making, the curriculum focuses on establishing a robust foundational awareness, knowledge, and novice application.
Description: The curriculum covers six key topics: basics and knobology, cardiac basics, lung, abdomen, eFAST, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Training consists of monthly lectures paired with hands-on sessions. A quarterly POCUS newsletter features clinical cases demonstrating its application, as well as educational resources and information about national conferences. Pre- and post-surveys for each topic assess knowledge improvement and utilization.
Conclusions: Our data demonstrates a compelling need and opportunity to enhance pediatric resident training in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Among residents, 79% express strong interest in learning POCUS, and 69–86% recognize its potential to enhance patient care. However, limited training and lack of confidence remain barriers to its adoption. Preliminary evaluations reveal significant knowledge gains in key areas, including basics and knobology, eFAST, and lung exams. While statistical analysis is ongoing, initial results indicate the curriculum effectively builds foundational skills. Notably, residents’ attitudes toward POCUS integration have shifted dramatically. Before the curriculum, only 3% of residents anticipated using POCUS clinically. After participation, 30% now indicate they are likely to incorporate POCUS into practice. This transformative change highlights the program’s potential to drive meaningful adoption and improve patient care outcomes.