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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Troubleshooting FoCUS Image Acquisition: Patient Positioning, Transducer Manipulation, and Image Optimization
Published on: March 3, 2023
Putting POCUS into Focus: Rediscovering Ultrasound Through Physician Assistant Education
Keri Harlow1,2, Brian Terzian1,2
1Keri Harlow, PA-S, is a First author, Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia.
Summary
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in physician assistant (PA) education enhances clinical knowledge and career interest. This student perspective shows POCUS
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Physician Assistant Studies
Background:
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly integrated into medical training.
- Physician assistant (PA) programs are exploring innovative curricula.
- Student perspectives offer unique insights into educational tool impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the impact of POCUS in PA education beyond technical skills.
- To explore POCUS' potential to influence career interest during the didactic phase.
- To illustrate POCUS' role in reinforcing clinical medicine and decision-making.
Main Methods:
- A first-year PA student's narrative perspective.
- Description of a program's pilot initiative for POCUS integration.
- Analysis of the student's experience with POCUS in the curriculum.
Main Results:
- POCUS integration fostered a renewed passion for the technology in a student.
- POCUS reinforced clinical medicine knowledge and bedside decision-making skills.
- The pilot initiative demonstrated POCUS' educational value in augmenting core PA curriculum.
Conclusions:
- POCUS offers significant educational benefits for PA students, extending beyond image acquisition.
- Implementing POCUS in PA programs can enhance clinical reasoning and career development.
- POCUS represents a valuable, up-and-coming technology for augmenting PA core curriculum.
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Procedure:
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The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
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Procedure:
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The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
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