@article{10.22454/FamMed.2026.777641,
author = {Clements, Ben and Rabaza, Cristi and Williamson, Brandon and Dalal, Puja and Cathcart, Erin and Paulus, Ryan},
title = {The State of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Family Medicine},
journal = {Family Medicine},
volume = {0},
number = {0},
year = {1},
month = {1},
doi = {10.22454/FamMed.2026.777641},
abstract = {Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) allows clinicians to make real-time decisions at the bedside for patients that can impact their care. Initial literature on POCUS use in family medicine surfaced in the 1980s, but widespread use in family medicine began only in the last decade, and a growing number of family medicine physicians now use POCUS to evaluate multiple organ systems. Requirements from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) have driven curriculum development and use within family medicine residency programs, and ABFM data show that family medicine graduates are increasingly using POCUS in practice. The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine sponsors a national task force that is working on standardizing POCUS education and defining the scope of POCUS in family medicine residency education. As excitement for and use of POCUS continues to grow, we need to continue to evaluate and work through systemic barriers impeding POCUS use. Also, as we continue educational efforts around faculty development and resident training, parallel efforts around implementation in the primary care clinic must occur. Looking forward, uniting as a specialty and doing this together are critical. Collaborative, multi-institutional initiatives that work with the national family medicine organizations, such as the POCUS Research, Innovation, and Medical Education Learning Network, will provide the platform for us to come together on this effort. Approaching this work thoughtfully is essential, as doing so will ultimately improve the care and outcomes of our patients.},
URL = {https://journals.stfm.org//familymedicine/online-first/paulus-0199/},
eprint = {https://journals.stfm.org//media/vihdbw0l/fammed-2026-0199.pdf},
}