Applications of Point of Care Ultrasound in Urology Residency Training: A Practical Framework for Curriculum Design...

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an indispensable diagnostic and procedural tool across many medical specialties. However, formalized ultrasound training within urology residency programs remains limited. This review aims to outline a practical framework for designing and implementing a structured POCUS curriculum tailored specifically to urology training.

Various programs have implemented POCUS curricula, often with longitudinal instruction, modular content, hands-on training, and competency-based assessments. While urology has historically relied on sporadic exposure, often limited to prostate biopsies or intraoperative imaging, recent integration into the residency training demonstrates the utility of ultrasound amongst all urologic organs. National surveys of residents and practicing urologists reveal persistent deficiencies in both confidence and formal training opportunities, despite high interest and perceived clinical value. A review of emerging urology-specific curricula shows that programs adopting structured, multimodal approaches, combining didactics, video-based learning, supervised training, and simulation report improvements in user confidence, technical proficiency, and clinical utilization. Early data suggest that when implemented longitudinally, these frameworks can help to broaden ultrasound use in clinical settings. However, published experiences remain limited to a small number of institutions, underscoring the need for broader utilization and interventional studies. Current literature supports a structured POCUS curriculum for urology trainees, yet widespread adoption remains at an early stage. A unified framework could help standardize expectations, ensure equitable training experiences, and better prepare residents for modern practice. Multi-institutional collaboration, increased research on educational outcomes, and potential guidance from accrediting bodies will be critical to advancing ultrasound education and establishing national standards for urologic POCUS training.