POCUS teaching - needs and reality based on 500 respondents

Ultrasonography, due to its numerous advantages, has become an indispensable tool in the daily work of physicians. However, there remains a limited body of knowledge regarding the current methods of ultrasound education among medical professionals. A survey was conducted among physicians to assess their previous training in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and their expectations regarding the timing and structure of such education. The survey was randomly administered to a group of 500 practicing physicians from Poland, Austria, Spain, and Portugal. The questionnaire consisted of 10 items addressing the perceived usefulness of ultrasound in daily clinical practice, the respondents’ ability to perform ultrasound examinations and interventional procedures under ultrasound guidance, as well as their previous exposure to ultrasound training and expectations regarding the ideal time to initiate education in this area. The survey revealed that current POCUS education during undergraduate and postgraduate internship training is inadequate. A total of 76.4% of respondents reported that their medical studies did not adequately prepare them to use ultrasound in clinical practice, and only 9.2% indicated that ultrasound training was a mandatory component of their university curriculum. The vast majority reported acquiring POCUS skills through self-initiated courses outside of their residency programs. Notably, 53.8% of respondents expressed a need for ultrasound education to begin during medical school, while 96.6% stated that the ability to perform ultrasound examinations would significantly improve their clinical work. There is a strong and clearly expressed demand for POCUS education to be introduced at an early stage of medical training. Ultrasound should be integrated as a mandatory component of the medical curriculum, as it greatly facilitates clinical decision-making and enhances the quality of patient care.