[Echoscopy]

The clinical use of pocket size ultrasound devices is still at an early stage. Its performance has been studied and proven in cardiology, gynecology, and gastroenterology. It is expected that the image quality will improve and that more techniques for miniaturized devices will be available in the near future. The perspective will be that more and more clinicians will have “echoscopes” as a bedside tool, replacing or complementary to a “stethoscope”. The term “echoscopy” was defined by the European Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). Echoscopy is one form of point of care ultrasound (POCUS). Teaching material has been prepared by EFSUMB on how to use it (www.efsumb.org).