Advanced Point-of-care Ultrasound Course (Level 2)

The Level 2 Ultrasound course is designed to help clinicians in Emergency Medicine and related areas explore applications of ultrasound beyond core applications. This intensive two-day programme combines short lectures with extensive hands-on scanning practice across a diverse range of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) applications relevant to acute clinical settings.

The course covers cardiac ultrasound assessment of acute instability, qualitative assessment of right and left heart function, and wall motion abnormality; lung ultrasound for pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, pneumothorax and pleural effusion; the RUSH protocol for shock assessment; deep vein thrombosis diagnosis using three-point compression; gallbladder assessment in cholecystitis; renal ultrasound for hydronephrosis and common abnormalities; ultrasound-guided regional nerve blocks around the hip and for rib fractures; acute injury applications for dislocations, fractures and ligament injuries; and rapid eye ultrasound techniques for retinal detachment and vitreous haemorrhage (demonstration only).

Teaching is delivered through alternating presentations with live demonstrations and practical hands-on scanning. One day focuses on heart, lung and shock assessment; the other day covers gallbladder, renal, vascular, DVT, nerve blocks, acute injury and ophthalmic applications. You will scan in small groups and individually on normal subjects, scannable manikins and simulators, supervised by experienced faculty with a ratio of approximately 1 to 4. The course uses 6–8 different PoCUS ultrasound systems, handheld devices, three state-of-the-art ultrasound simulators, and multiple scannable manikins. Progress is reviewed at the end of each half-day through a quiz.

Candidates are encouraged to refresh general PoCUS skills using online videos in advance of the course. You will gain the theoretical background behind each ultrasound application, understand its limitations and risks, and become confident in the scanning techniques through supervised practice on normal subjects and simulators demonstrating pathology. The faculty includes experienced emergency physicians and PoCUS specialists.