Beyond awareness: analyzing the incomplete integration and barriers to POCUS implementation: a nationwide study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly vital in internal medicine.
• Real-world adoption of POCUS by internal medicine physicians remains inconsistent.
• Understanding the current status of POCUS use, training, and barriers is crucial for improving its integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current landscape of POCUS utilization, training availability, and perceived barriers among internal medicine physicians in Türkiye.
• To identify factors influencing POCUS implementation and self-reported competency.
• To highlight the perception-practice gap in POCUS applications.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1678 internal medicine physicians in Türkiye from January to June 2025.
• The survey assessed POCUS availability, training received, clinical application, physician perceptions, and identified barriers.
• Statistical analyses, including multivariable analysis, were used to determine associations between variables.

Main Results:

• 98.7% of physicians perceived POCUS as necessary, but only 50.3% had prior experience, and 73.4% reported no personal implementation.
• Prior POCUS training (12.8%) was linked to higher self-reported competency and implementation readiness.
• Key barriers included lack of qualified trainers (65.8%), limited equipment access (56.4%), and time constraints (41.5%).

Conclusions:

• A significant perception-practice gap exists in POCUS adoption among Turkish internal medicine physicians.
• Structured POCUS training and clinical observation are positively associated with implementation and competency.
• Addressing barriers like trainer availability and equipment access is essential for successful POCUS integration, potentially applicable to other healthcare systems.