What are the barriers to uptake of POCUS?

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has grown to be extremely important in the practise of emergency medicine during the past few decades. Despite its many advantages, PoCUS use in rural emergency departments has been sluggish to catch on. Increasing residency training in ultrasound techniques, providing funds for PoCUS training to rural practitioners, shifting PoCUS training venues, and developing telesonography training for rural doctors are a few potential remedies.

Given the benefits of POCUS - why isn't everyone doing it? What are the barriers to POCUS uptake?

• inability to maintain skills

• lack of equipment

• training

• funding

• quality control

Source: Micks et al. 2016

References

Micks, T., Sue, K., & Rogers, P. (2016). Barriers to point-of-care ultrasound use in rural emergency departments. CJEM, 18(6), 475-479. doi:10.1017/cem.2016.337