Point-of-care ultrasound in resource-limited settings: the PURLS fellowship

Abstract

Abstract Background The role of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is rapidly expanding in both resource-rich and resource-limited settings (RLS). One limitation to this rapid expansion has been the lack of educators adequately trained to teach this user-dependent skill. This is particularly true in RLS, where disease presentations, infrastructure limitations, and approach to medical education present unique challenges to the direct application of resource-rich emergency department POCUS curricula. Objectives We describe the point-of-care ultrasound in resource-limited settings (PURLS) fellowship, a novel curriculum designed to provide advanced training and expertise in clinical care and POCUS application and education in RLS. Conclusion Our curriculum design is one approach to create context-specific POCUS education for use in RLS, thereby improving patient care.

Keywords

• Point-of-care ultrasound
• Tropical infectious disease
• Resource-limited settings
• Fellowship