The State of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training in Undergraduate Medical Education: Findings From a National Survey

Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the current state of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) integration in undergraduate medical education (UME) at MD-granting medical schools in the United States.

Method: In 2020, 154 clinical ultrasound directors and curricular deans at MD-granting medical schools were surveyed. The 25-question survey collected data about school characteristics, barriers to POCUS training implementation, and POCUS curriculum details. Descriptive analysis was conducted using frequency and percentage distributions.

Results: One hundred and twenty-two (79%) of 154 schools responded to the survey, of which 36 were multi-campus. Sixty-nine (57%) schools had an approved POCUS curriculum, with 10 (8%) offering a longitudinal 4-year curriculum. For a majority of schools POCUS instruction was required during the first (86%) and second year (68%). Forty-two (61%) schools were teaching fundamentals, diagnostic, and procedural ultrasound. One-hundred and fifteen (94%) schools identified barriers to implementing POCUS training in UME, which included lack of trained faculty (63%), lack of time in current curricula (54%), and lack of equipment (44%). Seven (6%) schools identified no barriers.

Conclusions: Over half of the responding medical schools in the United States had integrated POCUS instruction into their UME curricula. Despite this, a very small portion had a longitudinal curriculum and multiple barriers existed for implementation, with the most common being lack of trained faculty. The data from this study can be used by schools planning to add or expand POCUS instruction within their current curricula.