The U.G. PoCUS Elective program provides undergraduate students with specialized hands-on training, instruction and experience using and interpreting Point of Care Ultrasound technology for a variety of clinical applications. Such applications include the generation of clean images, technical aspects of ultrasound machines, as well as interpreting and drawing conclusions from generated images.

The program takes the form of a 4-week Elective rotation with the Department of Emergency Medicine, pairing the student with specially selected PoCUS-certified preceptors to ensure the most effective instruction possible. Over the course of this rotation, students will complete 15 shifts, supervised and assessed by their preceptors and the Attending Staff Physician.

Students are responsible for ensuring their E.M. Shift Assessment Card is reviewed on the day of their shift, and that all cards are submitted at the end of the rotation.

The structure of the program consists of 3 main components:

• Online Education and Quizzes
• Practical Training Session
• Development of Competency

The first two days of the PoCUS rotation are dedicated to online learning via the Brightspace platform. Students will complete a number of online modules and quizzes in preparation for hands-on training in the Emergency Room.

Practical training consists of guided instruction in a clinical environment, allowing students to apply the skills from online training under the guidance of experienced PoCUS-certified preceptors who can offer coaching and correction as needed.

The development of competency is achieved by performing a pre-defined number of procedures or scans under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of bedside ultrasound. It is understood that achieving competency is not simply a function of completing a required number of observed scans or procedures; some learners may master a task more quickly than others. For this reason, the number of procedures is consistent with approaches taken by other well-established programs throughout Canada, North America and Europe.