SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Pocus in Fellowship: Outcomes of a PHM Elective

Pdf Summary

This poster describes a novel point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) elective for Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) fellows at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Since POCUS training is still uncommon in PHM fellowships, the authors launched a two-week elective in 2021 to help fellows learn basic bedside ultrasound skills for the heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, and soft tissue.<br /><br />The curriculum included practical instruction on obtaining and interpreting standard ultrasound views, such as cardiac windows, lung findings like pleural slide and A-lines, abdominal landmarks, spine anatomy for procedures, and soft tissue or joint imaging. Fellows completed a 58-question online pre-test, post-test, and a repeat test six months later to evaluate knowledge retention. They also underwent a hands-on faculty assessment at the end of the elective.<br /><br />Eight fellows completed the elective between 2021 and 2024. All eight completed the hands-on assessment and the immediate online tests, though remote follow-up data were available for only six fellows due to a systems error. Overall, the results suggest that fellows were able to develop POCUS skills with reasonable success, and that much of the knowledge was retained over time.<br /><br />The authors conclude that a two-week POCUS elective can effectively teach PHM fellows ultrasound skills that may improve patient care, especially in resource-limited settings or when specialists are not immediately available. They also note that POCUS may enhance bedside teaching by helping fellows and learners visualize anatomy and pathophysiology directly.

Asset Subtitle

Sheila Swartz

Meta Tag

Author List Devin Madernberg, Joseph R. Puetz, Leah Cotter, Sheila Swartz

Category Research

Concept Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Concept Ultrasound Settings

Concept Ultrasound Probe

Concept Sonographic Finding

Concept Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical College of Wisconsin

Presenting Author Sheila Swartz

Track Pediatric

Keywords

point-of-care ultrasound

POCUS

pediatric hospital medicine

fellowship elective

ultrasound training

bedside ultrasound

knowledge retention

hands-on assessment

cardiac ultrasound

lung ultrasound

Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Ultrasound Settings

Ultrasound Probe

Sonographic Finding

Pediatric Hospital Medicine