Decreasing costs of equipment, improved portability, and improved imaging and technology are a few of the reasons physicians need to learn office, hospitalist, and emergency point-of-care ultrasound. Musculoskeletal ultrasound will also be discussed. Having ultrasound available at the point of care in these settings may improve and streamline diagnostic skills, improve patient care and satisfaction, and improve procedural skills. Just as listening to the heart sounds with a stethoscope was "foreign" when learners started as medical students, performing or interpreting ultrasound can be confusing. POCUS has become the "norm" in family medicine residencies since 2018. This course will discuss how to begin and open a new world of diagnostics at the point of care for patients in the office.
By the end of this activity, the participant should be better able to:
- Review the history, physics, applications, and indications for office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural point of care ultrasound (POCUS).
- Discuss basic ultrasound anatomy.
- Review ultrasound technology and equipment needs.
- Review basic concepts of POCUS.
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning (abdominal [aortic, biliary, urinary], OB-GYN, cardiac, trauma, pulmonary, high-frequency [DVT, musculoskeletal, soft tissue, ocular], and procedural guidance).
- Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives for point of care office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural ultrasound.
2025 Course Accreditation
The Texas Academy of Family Physicians designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The AAFP has reviewed Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. This session is approved for 15 Live AAFP Prescribed credits. Term of approval is from 05/03/2025 to 12/05/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Learn more about our accreditation.
7:30 - 8 a.m.
Registration and breakfast
Day One
8 - 10 a.m. — 2 CME Credits
Goals, History, Physics of Ultrasound, Issues of Liability, Anatomy
- Review the history, physics, applications and indications for office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal and procedural point of care ultrasound (POCUS).
- Discuss basic ultrasound anatomy.
- Review ultrasound technology and equipment needs.
- Review basic concepts of POCUS.
Abdominal Ultrasound
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning for abdominal patients, including aortic, biliary, urinary, and procedural guidance.
10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Patient Scanning – Abdominal
- Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives for point of care office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural ultrasound.
12 – 1 p.m. — Lunch
1 – 3 p.m. — 2 CME Credits
OB/GYN, Cardiac Ultrasound
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning of ob/gyn patients and procedural guidance.
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning of cardiac patients and procedural guidance.
3 – 3:15 p.m. — Break
3:15 – 5 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Patient Scanning – OB/GYN, Cardiac
- Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives for point of care ultrasound for ob/gyn and cardiac patients.
Day Two
8 – 10 a.m. — 2 CME Credits
Transvaginal, Small Parts/High-Frequency Ultrasound
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning of patients needing transvaginal scanning and procedural guidance.
Patient Scanning – Transvaginal, Small Parts/High-Frequency
- Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives for point of care transvaginal and small parts/high-frequency ultrasound.
10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Applications in Emergency Department
Review indications for use of point of care ultrasound in the emergency department.
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning of patients in the emergency room and procedural guidance.
12 – 1 p.m. — Lunch
1 – 3 p.m. — 2 CME Credits
Introduction to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (Predominantly Shoulder and Knee)
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning of musculoskeletal patients and procedural guidance.
Ultrasound-guided Procedures (e.g., Paracentesis, Thoracentesis, Insertion of Central Lines, and Joint Injections)
- Identify the indications and core techniques for POCUS, including hands-on scanning paracentesis, thoracentesis, central line placements, joint injections, and procedural guidance.
3 – 3:15 p.m. — Break
3:15 – 5 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Common Pathology
- Utilize ultrasound to assist in the collection of pathology samples in patients.
Coding and Billing
- Appropriate code for point of care office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural ultrasound.
Questions and Answers
- Review questions and answers regarding office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural ultrasound.
TOTAL CME CREDITS: 15
