Point-of-Care Ultrasound—A Paradigm Shift in Clinical Practice and Medical Education: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The technical revolution in ultrasound has led to the development of small, handheld devices that can be operated by personnel with brief training at the patient’s side: point-of- care ultrasound (POCUS). These machines led to a paradigm shift in the concept of clinical ultrasound application, transforming it from an investigation performed by experts to a screening tool and adjunct to clinical examination. Defined protocols for the use of POCUS in many clinical settings have been well established and proven to be highly effective, supported by high-level evidence, including major guidelines and meta-analyses (American College of Emergency Physicians clinical ultrasound guideline; Cochrane and contemporary reviews on ultrasound-guided central venous access; lung ultrasound meta-analyses for pneumonia; and extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma systematic reviews in trauma). Additionally, POCUS proved to be a reliable screening tool for rheumatic heart disease, leading the World Health Organization to recommend it as a method for diagnosis and control of the disease in endemic countries. The article discusses the indications, advantages, and limitations of POCUS and its integration into medical curricula.