Core Emergency Ultrasound Course

This Core Emergency Ultrasound Course is designed for emergency medicine trainees looking to gain competency in Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), as required by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine curriculum. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical training, the course will equip you with essential skills to integrate POCUS into emergency care.

The course covers a comprehensive range of essential ultrasound skills. Learners will begin with ultrasound basics and machine operation, including understanding probe types, gain, depth, and M-mode settings. Practical techniques covered include FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) detection and measurement, ultrasound-guided intravenous access, bedside echocardiography for emergency scenarios, and interpretation of intra-abdominal and pericardial fluid findings.

What You'll Learn:
• Ultrasound Basics: Understand the fundamentals of ultrasound technology.
• Machine Usage: Learn to operate the ultrasound machine with various probes, gain, depth, and M-mode settings.
• FAST Scan: Perform Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma.
• AAA Detection: Identify and measure abdominal aortic aneurysm leaks.
• Hands-On Practice: Practice techniques on volunteers for real-world application.
• IV Access: Use ultrasound for guided intravenous access.
• Bedside Echo: Introduction to echocardiography for emergency scenarios.
• Case Scenarios: Interpret intra-abdominal and pericardial fluid findings.

The course features experienced faculty comprising highly qualified emergency physicians and radiologists with years of practice and teaching experience. Small group sessions are kept intentionally small to enable individualized treatment and maximum communication, ensuring every student receives personalized feedback, focused attention, and repeated practice opportunities. The course delivers in-depth feedback addressing strengths and areas for improvement, with clear focus on developing cognitive abilities to support both academic and practical success in UK emergency medicine.