Advancing POCUS Proficiency in Family Medicine Educators: A Comprehensive Overview of the STFM FM POCUS Educator Certificate Program

Caroline Tanner; STFM

doi:10.1370/afm.3064

Summary

The STFM FM POCUS Educator Certificate Program presents a strategic initiative to elevate proficiency in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) among family medicine educators. This 5-year SMART initiative aims to train 75 educators, ensuring each POCUS workshop is consistently filled beyond 90%, and achieving a high satisfaction rate of over 85% among module completers. The program anticipates that more than 80% of certificate participants will integrate the POCUS curriculum within a year of completion.

Certificate Program Overview

The certificate program uniquely emphasizes not only POCUS training but also pedagogical strategies for effective POCUS instruction. Combining hands-on experiences with online learning, the program supports faculty in navigating institutional credentialing processes. Participants engage in 3 POCUS workshops, complete a series of teaching-focused and content-based POCUS modules, and benefit from mentorship, image portfolio reviews, and a comprehensive assessment at program completion.

Certificate Requirements

Workshop component: attend 3 POCUS workshops
Online modules: complete STFM teaching-focused and content-based POCUS modules
Mentorship: engage with assigned POCUS mentors virtually
Image portfolio: upload images for feedback
Assessment: successfully pass written and in-person skills exams
Timeline: enrollment application window for POCUS opens Nov 27, 2023. First cohort begins April 2024.

Target Audience

This program is designed for family medicine faculty at residency programs.

Certificate Knowledge Objectives

Upon completion, participants will master essential aspects of POCUS, including utility and scope, application basics, clinical indications, limitations, overcoming barriers, billing and credentialing, curriculum implementation, effective preceptorship, imaging informatics, and communication/documentation strategies. The program ensures a comprehensive understanding of different ultrasound devices, including hand-helds.

The STFM FM POCUS Educator Certificate Program emerges as a pivotal resource, poised to empower family medicine educators in delivering high-quality POCUS instruction within their respective programs.