Point of care ultrasound
Family Medicine is taking the lead in developing POCUS training in Zambia
Through a partnership with the U.S.-based non-profit organization Seed Global Health and a partnership with Butterfly Networks, the program started teaching POCUS in 2020. Seeing a critical need for diagnostic medical imaging in this low-resource setting, the faculty have now integrated a longitudinal POCUS training course into the curriculum. The University of Zambia-Seed Global Health Global Health partnership has provided an online, longitudinal training platform for Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) through Global Ultrasound Institute (GUSI) for all students and faculty.
Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS), the utilization of bedside ultrasound by a patient’s provider to answer specific clinical questions, has become a rapidly growing movement. While the POCUS movement has seen rapid growth in resource-rich countries, it has not yet taken significant hold in most low/middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the potential impact of this bedside imaging modality on health outcomes in LMICs is truly difficult to quantify. Multiple studies have demonstrated its significant impact on patient health outcomes in these settings. Indeed, POCUS may be an ideal diagnostic adjunct for global health clinicians. Modern handheld ultrasound devices are extremely portable, user-friendly, and convenient for use at the bedside.
Support AFPZ if you would like to contribute to the growth of Family Medicine in Zambia