From Course to Clinical Practice: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Longitudinal POCUS Curriculum for Community...

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in emergency and adult primary care, yet its integration into pediatric community pediatrics remains limited. Barriers include limited training opportunities, insufficient hands-on practice, and inconsistent access to ultrasound devices. This study evaluated self-reported POCUS use, confidence, perceived practice impact, and barriers 12 months after completion of a longitudinal POCUS training program tailored for community pediatricians.

This mixed-methods study included 65 community pediatricians who completed a two-day introductory POCUS course followed by four supervised scanning shifts in a pediatric emergency department. Participants were required to commit to ultrasound device access prior to enrollment. Twelve months after course completion, participants completed an anonymous survey assessing POCUS use frequency, self-reported confidence across 19 applications, perceived clinical impact, and barriers.

Fifty-two of 65 pediatricians (80%) completed the 12-month follow-up survey. 23/52 (44%) reported using POCUS at least weekly, while 20/52 (38%) reported rare use. Lung and soft-tissue applications were most used and associated with the highest confidence. Participants reported increased diagnostic confidence (39/52, 75%), improved communication with families (41/52, 79%), and enhanced patient satisfaction (46/52, 88%). 34/52 (65%) perceived reduced reliance on chest radiography and 31/52 (59%) reported faster decision-making. Device availability was strongly associated with ongoing use. Major barriers included limited refresher training, lack of feedback on image quality, and extended visit duration.

A longitudinal POCUS curriculum may support meaningful integration of POCUS into community pediatric practice. Reliable device access and ongoing supervised practice are essential for sustaining long-term adoption.