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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical Student Portal

POCUS - Point of Care Ultrasound

Why Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

Ultrasound is an imaging tool that can be used in the classroom, lab or at the bedside to help students learn anatomy, physiology and pathology in a more dynamic way than traditional methods. By allowing students to actually visualize underlying anatomic structures, physical exam techniques can be verified in real time while learning these skills. Ultrasound can also provide a visual representation of different physiologic and pathologic states, complementing traditional teaching methodologies.

Because POCUS has and continues to see significant growth within an ever-increasing array of medical specialties, learning how to use and perform POCUS exams will give students an edge as they move into residency and ultimately clinical practice.

Learn more about POCUS at IU School of Medicine

Video

Hear from Paul Wallach, MD, about why evolving technologies like POCUS are so critical in medical education.

“We want to embrace the very best of what becomes available for the care of our patients and the education of our learners and be quick to include these high-quality approaches in our educational program. By doing this, IU School of Medicine is and will remain in the forefront of medical education nationally.”

 

Curriculum

Scaffolding Approach for POCUS Curriculum

POCUS Exam

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Cardiac

Identify cardiac anatomy

Compare and contrast different categories of shock by reviewing POCUS exams

Incorporate POCUS cardiac exam into patient evaluation in the ICU and wards

Incorporate POCUS cardiac and FAST exam in a simulation based scenario with shock

Lung

Identify thoracic anatomy

Identify pathology associated with disease states of the lung

Use lung POCUS in patient evaluation in the ICU and wards

Incorporate lung POCUS exam in a simulation of patient presenting with SOB

FAST

Identify abdominal, thoracic and cardiac anatomy/potential spaces

Use the principles of the FAST exam to understand a clinical presentation of cirrhosis

Use the FAST exam in the evaluation of a patient with ascites

Incorporate POCUS cardiac and FAST exam in a simulation based scenario with shock

Renal

Identify anatomy of the urinary track

Identify pathology associated with urinary retention

Incorporate renal POCUS exam in evaluating a patient with urinary retention

Use renal POCUS exam in a case based simulation to diagnose renal colic


Students gain skills progressively throughout their four years of training. As students grow their competencies, various levels of assessment will be implemented. Assessment type could include questions incorporated into unit tests, pre-work quizzes and skills assessment.

Reserve POCUS Equipment

POCUS equipment is available for short-term checkout for both faculty and students at each campus. Individuals will receive an equipment request confirmation via email. Please note, this approval may take one business day.

Per IU School of Medicine policy, students may use this equipment for educational purposes only. Student use in the clinical setting without direct faculty supervision is strictly prohibited. Volunteer student patients must have signed the Ultrasound Education Information Sheet and Consent form available through MSAS. No exceptions.

Bloomington

Evansville

Fort Wayne

Indianapolis

Indianapolis (Ruth Lilly Medical Library)

Muncie

Northwest-Gary

South Bend

Terre Haute (Holmstedt Hall)

Terre Haute (Landsbaum Center)

West Lafayette

Get involved with the Ultrasound SIG

Get involved with the Ultrasound Specialty Interest Group. For more information, contact the group by email.

POCUS Contacts

Point of care ultrasound education is led by a dedicated, multidisciplinary team at IU School of Medicine.

Additional Instructional Material

How-to instructional videos for basic POCUS exams can be found on Canvas. You will be directed to self-enroll in the POCUS Canvas site using your IU username and passphrase.

POCUS Canvas course

POCUS YouTube Channel

The IU POCUS YouTube channel includes short videos that target specific POCUS topics and showcases special events.

IU POCUS YouTube Channel

POCUS Case of the Month

Faculty member Greg Zahn, MD, makes informative cases each month published on Vimeo that highlight the use of POCUS.

Watch on Vimeo

Faculty FAQs

Ultrasound is an imaging tool that can be used in the classroom, lab or at the bedside to help students learn anatomy, physiology and pathology in a more dynamic way than traditional methods. By allowing students to actually visualize underlying anatomic structures, physical exam techniques can be verified in real time while learning these skills. Ultrasound can also provide a visual representation of different physiologic and pathologic states, complementing traditional teaching methodologies.

Because POCUS has and continues to see significant growth within an ever-increasing array of medical specialties, learning how to use and perform POCUS exams will give our students an edge as they move into residency and ultimately clinical practice.  

Access the POCUS Canvas course.

Pre-work videos and content can be incorporated directly into your Canvas course. 

The POCUS team is currently developing an intensive training course to provide faculty the basic knowledge and skills to increase your level of confidence. Our goal is to have a comprehensive package complete by Fall of 2020.

Use the appropriate form to request POCUS equipment based on campus in the drop down options above.