Point of Care Ultrasound in General Surgery Residency Training: A Proposal for Milestones in Graduate Medical Education Ultrasound

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly being used in the clinical setting, although type of use varies widely between specialties and practice settings. Ultrasound training is uncommon in graduate medical education,... [ view full abstract ]

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly being used in the clinical setting, although type of use varies widely between specialties and practice settings. Ultrasound training is uncommon in graduate medical education, particularly in general surgery residency training. This is despite recognition by surgical trainees and staff, and by the American College of Surgeons that there is interest in using POCUS to aid in diagnosis and clinical decision-making. At the Ohio State University, we have successfully created and implemented a POCUS training program into our general surgery residency curriculum. Based on this, we propose a patient-care milestone in POCUS for general surgery residents that fits into the established Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education Milestones Project.