Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Strategy

The Rural Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Strategy supports the integration of ultrasound technology into rural healthcare practice, improving diagnostic capacity and patient care. Through training initiatives, research, and coaching programs, the strategy aims to expand POCUS access in rural BC, enhancing healthcare equity and efficiency.

Pictured: Dr. Tandi Wilkinson with a participant at the 2024 Rural POCUS Congress, in Whistler, BC.

“Really important information and tips delivered in a fun and playful atmosphere, thus improving retention.”

Rural POCUS Rounds Participant

Achievements

Publication of POCUS Research in Canadian Family Physician

In February 2024, a two-year research project on the state of POCUS in rural BC was published in Canadian Family Physician, authored by Tracy Morton, Daniel J. Kim, Tracey Deleeuw, Jason Curran, Paul Olszynski and Virginia W. Robinson.

The objective of the study was to determine the scale and scope of use of POCUS in rural BC, with a focus on its clinical use, provider attitudes, and barriers to its use. The study found that the use of POCUS in BC is expanding in frequency, scope, and scale in practices serving rural areas and in rural communities with large Indigenous populations, with practitioners reporting important improvements in clinical care as a result. POCUS use has rapidly spread to various specialties, including critical care, internal medicine, anesthesia, and family medicine.

Launch of the POCUS Line in RTVS Quick Reply

In Fall 2024, a new POCUS Line was integrated into the RTVS Quick Reply pathway, providing rural physicians with expert radiology consultation for POCUS scans performed in clinics and rural health facilities.

The two POCUS experts available to consult via the pathway are Radiologist Dr. Shyr Chui and POCUS instructor Dr. Virginia Robinson. The pathway launched with availability on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT to help with topics including MSK ultrasound, obstetrics, abdominal, DVT and basic cardiology.

First Rural POCUS Congress Held in Whistler, BC

The first-ever Rural POCUS Congress was held prior to the 2024 BC Rural Health Conference in Whistler, BC, offering a full day of intensive POCUS training.

The event focused on POCUS skills and applications, and consisted of 5 hours of live scanning stations and key talks on various topics, such as cardiology, MSK, ocular, and more.

The primary goal for learners was to provide them with increased confidence in their POCUS skills and the opportunity to build meaningful connections through sharing the spark and passion for POCUS innovation within the POCUS community.

Explore the numbers

98% Positive feedback

98% of attendees rated Rural POCUS Rounds as 5 stars.

968 Providers

968 providers registered for Rural POCUS Rounds in 2024.

44 Congress attendees

44 participants from 38 different rural communities attended the first full-day Rural POCUS Congress in Whistler, BC.

41 Mentees

41 providers from 24 different rural communities accessed POCUS Coaching through UBC CAMP (Coaching and Mentoring Program).

Making a Difference

“Rural POCUS Rounds provide wonderful speakers, concise and practical learning points. I really appreciate that it’s free and focused on delivering care in rural settings.”

Rural POCUS Rounds Participant

Project Partnership

The relationship with the UBC HOUSE (Hands On UltraSound Education) course continues to provide expanding POCUS training opportunities for physicians and midwives in community and at the BC Rural Health Conference. Ongoing Rural POCUS Rounds in partnership with UBC RCPD continue to provide value to attendees, and the relationship with UBC CAMP continues to grow with many physicians opting to receive POCUS coaching during 2024.

Several POCUS coaches from BC, including Dr. Virginia Robinson and Dr. Tracy Morton, have joined the Rural Ultrasound Fellowship as professors. The international team of instructors supports rural fellows (mostly from BC but some as far as Australia) virtually in real time and through lectures.

Plans for the Future

A second research paper has been submitted to BCMJ and is currently awaiting a decision. The paper’s focus is a qualitative study on how POCUS has been successfully integrated into Haida Gwaii and the patient perspective. A third research paper is being discussed: The patient perspective of POCUS. This will be a multi-centre (all rural) survey study examining how patients feel about POCUS being used in healthcare, and how it adds or detracts from the care they received in the clinic or hospital.

The launch of a POCUS for nursing stations initiative began in early 2025. An environmental scan was completed and is currently pending for approval from FNHA nursing scope of practice. If approved, training for nurses in community will begin during summer 2025, with support from the RTVS POCUS Quick Reply pathway and RUDi/MaBAL.