Ultrasound in acute internal medicine; time to set a European standard

Nowadays point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is considered indispensable for critical care and emergency physicians. POCUS is a noninvasive tool, can be done at the bedside, leads to instant diagnostic information and is safe in terms of radiation. POCUS could also be very suitable for internists in the field of acute internal medicine. There are differences between European internists in the use of POCUS from no use at all to more outlined educational programs. In literature there are examples of comprehensive POCUS guidelines which could serve as an example for the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM). In this review some aspects of POCUS are highlighted and the authors encourage EFIM to set European standards for this important development.