GOAL
There are three essential components to point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training: image acquisition, image interpretation, and clinical integration. The goal of putting together a case presentation is to focus on this third principle and highlight the need to always integrate POCUS into a patient’s clinical context.
Selecting a case
Ideally, pick a case that you encountered during clinical practice that had particularly interesting or dramatic POCUS findings. You should pick a case where you were able to perform a fairly complete POCUS exam (ie not just one or two clips). If you have any questions about selecting a case, speak with your group leader or attending/fellow.
Format
These should take the form of short (15-20 minute) presentations and can be made using Powerpoint, Keynote, or similar software.
Please convert all videos, if possible, to mp4 format to allow compatibility between all devices. Clips should be de-identified (not include any patient information).
When inserting video clips into Powerpoint (or other presentations), please set the clips to Play Automatically and Loop Until Stopped (under “Format Movie”), to optimize the viewing experience.
Presentations should generally include the following sections:
Clinical background (2-4 slides)
Brief HPI, relevant PMHx and meds, relevant Px. This does NOT have to be exhaustive (ie do not have to copy the entire CTU consult), but include things that are relevant to the case.
Lab and imaging data (2-4 slides)
Include things like X-rays, still shots of CT scans or Echo if available; as well as relevant lab parameters (again, does not have to be exhaustive)
Ultrasound images (5+ slides, depending on case)
Display all the POCUS clips and images relevant to the case. When available, show clips (looped) rather than still images. Include complete exams (ie all 8 clips, labeled, from a lung exam) rather than only selected images, as it is important to demonstrate how to interpret findings within the context of the rest of the exam.
Include all POCUS examinations that are relevant to the case – cardiac, lung, IVC, abdomen, etc. If you performed serial examinations to monitor the patient over time, include these (with appropriate labeling to indicate timeline).
Include 1-2 slides at the end of this section summarizing your interpretation of the POCUS exam.
POCUS learning point (3-5 slides)
Pick one aspect of the patient’s POCUS exam as a focused learning point for the case. For example, in a patient presenting with CHF vs COPD, found to have diffuse symmetrical B-lines and reduced EF on POCUS, you could discuss the use of EPSS for the interpretation of EF.
Provide a few didactic slides, with additional clips or videos if needed, to teach briefly around the learning point.
Include a very brief (1-2 slides) summary of one paper from the POCUS literature that speaks to your learning point.
Case resolution (1-3 slides)
Follow-up with the clinical case, including interventions taken on the basis of POCUS findings, and briefly summarize the patient’s clinical course.
Content
Examples of case presentations can be found in the “Important Documents” Academy Dropbox folder.
Examples
Once you have completed a case presentation, send it to your group leader for any editing. Subsequently, these presentations will be housed online as a learning tool for other residents – temporarily on Dropbox, and subsequently on the upcoming new IM POCUS website.
Submitting a case presentation
If you have any questions as you’re putting together your case presentation, do not hesitate to ask any of the US Academy group leaders (Dr Arishenkoff, Dr Chan, Katie Wiskar).
