SonoDoc: Case-based Learning in Bedside Ultrasound

American Medical Association has recognized the utility of ultrasound; it recommends training and education standards are developed by each physician's respective specialty. It has been proven that bedside ultrasound allows the treating physician to more quickly determine the cause of urgent conditions and life-threatening illness and help in guiding resuscitative efforts for patients in shock. If invasive procedures must be performed, they can be done under ultrasound guidance (instead of using blind landmark techniques), decreasing the risk of complications. This has been recommended by the agency for healthcare research and quality as a key intervention. Emergency medicine was an early adopter of bedside focused ultrasound due to the need for rapid evaluation of critically ill patients and patients in acute pain. Now, other specialty organizations, including critical care, surgery, internal medicine, OB-GYN, and pediatrics are starting to include ultrasound during residency training. Many currently practicing physicians were trained before ultrasound training was available and may not realize its utility in their practice.

AMA is not the accredited CME provider of this educational activity and is not responsible for the content nor its funding. Please contact Stanford with any questions related to this activity.

Learn now