Office-Based Primary Care Point of Care Ultrasound – Signature course example

photo of students demonstrating sonogram

About The Program

This microcredential presents curriculum, hands-on training with evaluation essential for primary care or ambulatory based clinicians, residents and students as well as research associates in Anatomy and Physiology in training programs. Areas of focused training address ultrasound fundamentals, basic cardiac ultrasound, lung evaluation for pneumonia/effusion/pneumothorax; rapid DVT recognition, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm detection, Liver/biliary US, evaluation of thyroid and thyroid nodules, carotid scanning and basic soft tissue and MSK Ultrasound.
POCUS refers to the simultaneous acquisition and interpretation of ultrasound images at the patient’s point of need by a healthcare professional to immediately inform diagnosis or treatment, or to aid in the completion of procedures in a safe manner. POCUS has important advantages for the clinician in current medical practice. The procedure is portable, allowing for real-time imaging and on the spot interpretation and is much less expensive than typical radiology department imaging. POCUS is highly accurate in experienced hands and involves no use of ionizing radiation or risk of contrast materials. The use of POCUS enhances the patient safety and general experience and improves both diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes in the clinical arena.

Who Can Participate?

  • Must be over 18
  • Must have a valid Physician or Physician Assistant license

Program Faculty

My career in medicine focuses on providing medical services to those from impoverished and disadvantaged circumstances. In 1984, after completing my medical and missions training, I accepted an appointment with the International Mission Board of the SBC to work in a rural hospital in eastern Thailand. For 20 years, I directed the Bangkhla Christian Hospital in Chacheungsao province as well as numerous medical and development projects in rural Thailand. During this time, I founded the Thai People’s Welfare Foundation to promote health care and education in rural and underserved areas of Northern Thailand, Burma and Laos. I provided medical students from Thailand, USA, UK, and Singapore with educational opportunities in medical and public health training in rural Thailand. I witnessed a profound impact on the skills and competency of these young physicians, but more importantly, I mentored and modeled the desire in these students to serve the needs of the rural and poor populations around the world.
In the last 12 years, I worked at several medical schools and residency programs to develop programs in rural and global health training. These programs focus on didactic and skill training to mentor and equip new physicians for careers in under-served patient populations in rural Texas and around the world. I currently serve at UNTHSC as Assistant Dean of Rural Medical Education administering and developing programs in Global Health Training and rural medical training to increase the number of students at UNT pursuing careers in primary care in medically underserved locations in Texas.
John Gibson, MD