Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Internal Medicine

Over the past few decades a variety of technological advances have dramatically change the manner in which physicians practice medicine. Both clinically and administratively the practice of medicine is in evolution – for example; stents instead of surgery and digital health records instead of paper charts. For internal medicine physicians one of the biggest transformations with respect to how we will practice medicine is just on the horizon. The routine use of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) will become an essential skill for the practicing internist. The application for PoCUS in the field of internal medicine is immense – accurately assessing the JVP in critically ill patients, performing arterial and venipunctures, diagnosing pericardial tamponade or determining the likelihood of a pulmonary embolus, or the diagnostic and therapeutic removal of body fluids, to name a few.