Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable tool in the assessment of acutely ill hospitalized patients. Although hospitalists frequently wish to use POCUS in their clinical practice, many have never received formal training. The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) offers a robust certificate of completion (COC) program in POCUS incorporating online learning modules, in-person courses, a mentored image portfolio, and comprehensive skills and knowledge assessments. Barriers to successful completion of the COC program may include cost, scanning time required for completion of the image portfolio, and lack of defined technological workflows facilitating acquisition and export of ultrasound clips.
Purpose: We created a faculty development program designed to Help Our Colleagues Undertake SHM’s COC Program in POCUS (HOCUS POCUS), aimed at lowering barriers to successful completion, thereby speeding development of a core group of clinicians in our division who are competent to perform and teach POCUS.
Description: A competitive application process was conducted seeking HOCUS POCUS participants from our division of hospital medicine comprised of 66 physicians and 64 advanced practice providers at a large academic medical center. Candidates were selected based on expressed interest in POCUS, desire to lead and teach POCUS activities going forward, and factors impacting successful completion of the COC program within a goal of 24-months. An initial class of 6 participants was selected in March 2022 followed by 5 additional participants in November 2022. Of the 11 total participants, 6 are physicians, 4 are physician assistants, 1 is a nurse practitioner, and 5 identify as women.HOCUS POCUS participants were provided with financial assistance equaling the cost of the online learning modules, mentored image portfolio, and comprehensive skills and knowledge assessments. Individual continuing education funds were used by participants to attend the in-person courses. Participants were paired with a mentor experienced in POCUS who provided guidance navigating the COC program and led scanning sessions. Participants received work credit for three days to support completion of their image portfolios. Program leaders codified workflows to facilitate acquisition and export of ultrasound clips using division cart-based POCUS devices and led monthly meetings to track progress, troubleshoot issues, and review interesting cases.Twenty months into the program, all 11 HOCUS POCUS participants have successfully completed the online learning modules. Ten of the participants have completed both in-person courses and four participants have successfully completed their image portfolios. Two participants have successfully completed the COC program altogether and the remaining nine are on track to do so within the goal of 24 months.
Conclusions: A targeted faculty development program supporting academic hospitalists pursuing SHM’s COC in POCUS has lowered perceived barriers to certification and is on track to create a core group of clinicians in our division competent to perform and teach POCUS in the span of 24 months.