Ultrasound has been described as ‘the Stethoscope for the 21st Century’. Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) can answer a specific clinical question or support a specific procedural aim within a routine clinical consultation. Its use within family medicine is rapidly increasing across Europe. It has been shown to be useful to rule in or rule out medical emergencies, diagnose conditions of low to moderate complexity and to monitor acute and chronic illnesses independent of hospital infrastructures. POCUS can improve access and quality of care, providing timely and accurate diagnosis and supporting interventions.
The WONCA Europe Council has unanimously endorsed the use of Point of Care Ultrasound in family medicine. The WONCA Europe Position Statement describes its benefits, training requirements, legal considerations and implications for clinical practice: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423624000112
