SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Point-of-Care Ultrasound Mastery Initiative: Bootcamp Training for Internal Medicine Residency

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This pilot study evaluated a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) bootcamp for 41 first-year internal medicine residents at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix. The goal was to quickly assess and improve POCUS knowledge and hands-on skills for common outpatient and inpatient complaints, especially leg swelling, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain.<br /><br />The bootcamp included brief lectures and small-group practice stations using both conventional and handheld ultrasound machines with volunteer models. Topics covered lower-extremity venous ultrasound for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), lung ultrasound findings, and abdominal/FAST exam basics. Residents completed an anonymous pre-test and post-test, and results were compared using paired t-tests.<br /><br />Results showed significant improvement on nearly all knowledge questions after the intervention, including probe identification, recognition of normal and abnormal lung findings, DVT ultrasound technique, and FAST/eFAST exam views. One question about ultrasound settings was not statistically significant. In addition, resident interest in incorporating POCUS into clinical practice increased after the session, with 100% agreeing or strongly agreeing in the post-test that they planned to use POCUS.<br /><br />Feedback from participants was positive: they found the lectures, videos, case-based format, and small-group teaching helpful. Common suggestions for improvement included more practice time, especially for abdominal scans, and adding a cardiac ultrasound session.<br /><br />The study concluded that internal medicine residents can learn the basics of POCUS effectively through a brief bootcamp format. Limitations included the small sample size, focus on PGY1 trainees, and lack of long-term skill assessment. Future plans include follow-up assessment later in the year, expanded training, and possible formal POCUS certification.

Asset Subtitle

Mariel Ma

Meta Tag

Author List Daniel Puebla Neira, Firas Abbas, Jordan P. Merz, Manoj Mathew, Mariel Ma, Walter Migotto

Category Research

Concept Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Concept Pulmonary Ultrasound

Concept Deep Vein Thrombosis

Concept FAST Exam

Concept Ultrasound Probe

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

Presenting Author Mariel Ma

Track Education

Keywords

point-of-care ultrasound

POCUS bootcamp

internal medicine residents

ultrasound training

pilot study

DVT ultrasound

lung ultrasound

FAST exam

hands-on skills

resident education

Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Pulmonary Ultrasound

Deep Vein Thrombosis

FAST Exam

Ultrasound Probe