Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Procedural Instruction in the Family Medicine Clerkship: A CERA Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education has become a mainstay in resident education in multiple specialties, including family medicine (FM), but literature regarding the use of POCUS during clinical medical student education is lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how POCUS education is conducted in FM clerkships in the United States and Canada and how it compares to more traditional FM clinical procedural instruction. Methods: As part of the 2020 Council of Academic Family Medicine’s Educational Research Alliance survey of FM clerkship directors, we surveyed clerkship directors in the United States and Canada about whether and how POCUS education, as well as other procedural instruction in their institutions and FM clerkships, was conducted. We included questions regarding POCUS and other procedural use by preceptors and faculty. Results: We found that 13.9% of clerkship directors reported structured POCUS education during clerkship, while 50.5% included other procedural training. The survey revealed that 65% of clerkship directors felt that POCUS was an important component of FM, but this was not a predictor of POCUS use in personal or preceptor practice nor of its inclusion in FM clerkship education. Conclusions: Structured POCUS education is a rare component of FM clerkship education; while more than half of clerkship directors felt that POCUS was important for FM, few used it personally or included it in clerkship education. As POCUS continues to be integrated into medical education in FM, the clerkship may represent an opportunity to expand POCUS exposure for students.

Response to "Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Procedural Instruction in the Family Medicine Clerkship: A CERA Study"

“…"Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Procedural Instruction in the Family Medicine Clerkship: A CERA Study" by Hoffman et al brought up some great points, but some pieces could have been expanded on. 1 I appreciated the look into the role of point-of care ultrasound (POCUS) in family medicinerelated clerkships, but this article did not mention barriers to POCUS education and implementation. Sixty-five percent of responding clerkship directors felt that POCUS was an important skill in family medicine, but this opinion was not congruent with only 13.9% number of respondents who had a structured POCUS education.…”

“…Sixty-five percent of responding clerkship directors felt that POCUS was an important skill in family medicine, but this opinion was not congruent with only 13.9% number of respondents who had a structured POCUS education. 1 A disconnect exists between what is perceived to be an important skill set and what actions are being taken to ensure that medical students have a relevant experience as part of a family medicine clerkship, in particular those with future aspirations to enter the family medicine specialty.…”