Curricular Integration of Point-of-care Ultrasound in Medical Education in India: An Immediate Need

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential bedside imaging tool in modern medical practice, enabling rapid, real-time, and cost-effective assessment for cardiac, pulmonary, abdominal, and vascular conditions, as well as guidance for invasive procedures. Its value is well established in emergency and critical care settings, yet formal POCUS training is currently absent from the undergraduate as well as postgraduate medical curriculum in India. This gap persists despite the widespread applicability of POCUS across clinical disciplines and its proven role in improving diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. Major barriers to POCUS integration in Indian medical education include limited awareness among physicians, inadequate infrastructure and equipment, lack of trained faculty, curriculum deficiencies, and regulatory challenges. Additional constraints, such as limited time during clinical rounds and the absence of standardized quality assurance, further hinder adoption. This article highlights the urgent need for structured and uniform POCUS education within the competency-based medical education (CBME) framework. It proposes the "POCUS Megaphone Strategy," a comprehensive approach encompassing problem identification, curriculum and faculty development, trainee-focused training programs, infrastructural strengthening, and policy-level advocacy. Integrating standardized POCUS training under the National Medical Commission will equip future Indian physicians with essential bedside imaging skills and significantly enhance the quality and safety of patient care.