SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Survey of Internal Medicine-Focused Point-of-Care Ultrasound Fellowships

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This survey examined internal medicine (IM) point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) fellowships in the United States and Canada, a training area that is growing in importance but has limited published description. The authors surveyed 11 identified fellowship programs and received responses from 9 (82%).<br /><br />The survey used 30 questions about fellowship structure, requirements, and institutional POCUS use. Programs were identified through web searches, an IM GME listserv, and social media. Responses were summarized descriptively.<br /><br />Key findings showed that most fellowships were 12 months long, accepted 2 fellows per year, and included 6–8 clinical shifts per month. Fellows commonly came from internal medicine, but many also had backgrounds in family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, or combined medicine-pediatrics. Program faculty often included instructors from multiple specialties such as IM, FM, EM, radiology, cardiology, rheumatology, and obstetrics/gynecology.<br /><br />The main focus areas across programs were diagnostic POCUS, procedural POCUS, and POCUS education. Some programs also offered optional research. Graduates of these fellowships have gone on to leadership roles in POCUS education in medical schools, residency programs, and other fellowship settings.<br /><br />The most significant barrier to creating or sustaining a POCUS fellowship was lack of time for ultrasound-trained faculty to participate in education because of other clinical responsibilities. Other barriers included insufficient departmental or hospital support, lack of consensus guidelines, too few trained faculty, limited teaching or simulation space, and inadequate equipment.<br /><br />Overall, the study found that IM POCUS fellowships are relatively small but influential training programs that help develop future leaders in ultrasound education. The authors argue that expanding these fellowships is important as POCUS continues to spread across all levels of medical training.

Asset Subtitle

Erin M. Finn

Meta Tag

Author List Erin M. Finn, Ria Dancel

Category Research

Concept Internal Medicine POCUS Fellowship

Concept Diagnostic POCUS

Concept Procedural POCUS

Concept Faculty Time

Concept Institutional Support

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of North Carolina

Presenting Author Erin M. Finn

Track Education

Keywords

internal medicine

point-of-care ultrasound

POCUS fellowship

medical education

ultrasound training

fellowship survey

diagnostic ultrasound

procedural ultrasound

faculty barriers

United States and Canada

Internal Medicine POCUS Fellowship

Diagnostic POCUS

Procedural POCUS

Faculty Time

Institutional Support