SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Barriers to Point-of-Care Ultrasound Use in the Icu

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This study examined how internal medicine residents at the University of Colorado use point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in clinical care and what prevents them from using it more often. The residency program introduced a formal ultrasound curriculum in 2022, but little was known about real-world use and barriers after training.<br /><br />A voluntary web-based survey was sent to 159 residents, and 48% responded. The survey asked about current POCUS use, clinical scenarios, types of exams performed, and barriers to use. The main barriers were practical and skill-related: lack of time, limited access to ultrasound machines, difficulty obtaining images, and difficulty interpreting images. Other barriers included lack of supervision or assistance, and the belief that POCUS would not change management. Upper-level residents were more likely than interns to say POCUS would not alter clinical decisions.<br /><br />Residents reported using POCUS for clinical decision-making, evaluating known findings, guiding procedures, and determining whether formal imaging was needed. The authors suggest several ways to improve use: increase the number of available ultrasound machines, build supervised scanning into daily workflow, encourage peer-to-peer teaching, and connect hospital-owned machines to ultrasound review systems.<br /><br />The study concludes that the biggest obstacles to POCUS use are logistical and technical rather than a lack of interest. The authors believe these findings may also reflect barriers faced by practicing hospitalists.

Asset Subtitle

Margaret Veers Granitto

Meta Tag

Author List Margaret Veers Granitto, Melissa New

Category Research

Concept Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Concept Internal Medicine Residency

Concept Machine Availability

Concept ICU

Concept Residency Training

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Colorado Internal Medicine Residency Program

Presenting Author Margaret Veers Granitto

Track Education

Keywords

point-of-care ultrasound

POCUS

internal medicine residents

ultrasound curriculum

clinical care

barriers to use

ultrasound machines

image acquisition

image interpretation

resident survey

Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Internal Medicine Residency

Machine Availability

ICU

Residency Training