SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Waves of Change: The Impact of Undergraduate Medical Education Point-of-Care Ultrasound Emphasis on Residency Preparedness

Waves of Change: The Impact of Undergraduate Medical Education Point-of-Care Ultrasound Emphasis on Residency Preparedness

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This study examined whether increased point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training in undergraduate medical education has translated into better preparedness among incoming internal medicine residents. Cross-sectional surveys were administered at a single academic center to internal medicine residents in 2019 (n=78, PGY1-3) and incoming PGY1 residents in 2025 (n=25). The surveys assessed demographics, prior POCUS training, confidence, perceptions, and knowledge across four domains: physics/probe use, procedural use, image acquisition, and image recognition.<br /><br />The 2025 cohort had substantially more prior ultrasound exposure than the 2019 cohort (68% vs 18%). They also scored higher in every knowledge domain, suggesting that expanded undergraduate POCUS instruction is improving baseline knowledge. However, confidence remained very low in both groups, with no 2025 respondents reporting confidence in their POCUS knowledge. Perceived benefit of POCUS and likelihood of future use were also lower in 2025 than in 2019, despite the knowledge gains.<br /><br />Overall, the findings suggest that while undergraduate medical education is successfully increasing POCUS knowledge, it is not yet building matching confidence or readiness to use ultrasound clinically. The authors conclude that residency programs should emphasize hands-on practice, skill development, and integration of POCUS into patient care to close the gap between knowledge and practical application.

Asset Subtitle

Emerson Buck

Meta Tag

Author List Emerson Buck, Meghan K. Thomas, Nancy L. Hagood

Category Research

Concept Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Concept Internal Medicine Residency

Concept Confidence

Concept Hands-on Skill Development

Concept Undergraduate Medical Education

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical University of South Carolina

Presenting Author Emerson Buck

Track Education

Keywords

point-of-care ultrasound

POCUS training

undergraduate medical education

internal medicine residents

resident preparedness

ultrasound knowledge

confidence

cross-sectional survey

image acquisition

clinical readiness

Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Internal Medicine Residency

Confidence

Hands-on Skill Development

Undergraduate Medical Education