SimLEARN offering point of care ultrasound course
By Gerald Sonnenberg
EES Marketing and Communication
ORLANDO, Fla. – SimLEARN is offering a new introductory course in point of care ultrasound training or POCUS. Scheduled to launch this spring, POCUS will teach entry-level principles of ultrasonography for use by physicians at the bedside.
The course will have a hands-on simulation component in addition to didactic material on the principles of ultrasonography and its potential implications in developing and narrowing a differential diagnosis. While it will not produce experts in ultrasonography, it will, at a minimum, offer a deeper appreciation for the potential benefits of bedside ultrasonography and, at most, teach useful techniques that may be incorporated.
Ultrasonography of the heart, lungs, abdomen, kidneys and musculoskeletal systems will be discussed and practiced. In addition, students will have time to learn aspects of the sonogram hand-positioning, anatomic landmark identification and technique. The course is intended for ultrasound-naïve physicians with an interest in exploring the use of bedside ultrasonography.
POCUS has possible uses in various clinical settings such as the intensive care unit, emergency department and outpatient primary care office or hospital ward. Some valuable potential assessments include preliminary myocardial dynamics; pulmonary diagnostic rule outs, abdominal pathologic identification, vascular identification and access and musculoskeletal issues. Ambulatory physicians, hospitalists, intensivists, urgent care and emergency physicians may gain benefit from the POCUS course.
The faculty for POCUS are national experts in point of care ultrasonography from various disciplines. Together with the SimLEARN team, the national POCUS faculty has developed a curriculum that is evidence-based and geared to teach learners from introductory levels to those with some ultrasound experience.
The course will be offered at the VHA SimLEARN National Simulation Center. VHA employees may view other courses and details on the SimLEARN Portal here.
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For more information about SimLEARN, please visit http://www.simlearn.va.gov
