POCUS: A Special Tool That Helps Doctors and Patients

The Power of Point-of-Care Ultrasound

When you go to the doctor or hospital, it’s important to know what’s going on inside your body. One amazing tool that doctors and other healthcare professionals use is called point-of-care ultrasound, or POCUS (say it like POH-kus).

POCUS is a small, safe machine that uses sound waves to take pictures inside the body. It helps doctors look at the heart, lungs, stomach, muscles, and more. It is a simple procedure that does not involve surgery or X-rays. It works kind of like the ultrasound used to look at babies during pregnancy.

This tool can be used right at your bedside or in the exam room without waiting for a radiologist to interpret the images (which can take hours or even days) — that’s why it’s called point-of-care. It helps doctors, patients, and families feel more connected, improves care, and even helps doctors stay happy in their jobs.

Let’s learn why POCUS is such a great tool in both clinics (outpatient) and hospitals (inpatient).

Building Trust and Connection

When doctors use POCUS, they don’t have to send patients to another room for pictures. Instead, they bring the small machine right to where the patient is. That means the doctor stays close and explains things as they look.

Patients and families can watch the screen and see what the doctor sees. This helps build rapport, which means a friendly and trusting relationship.

For example, a parent might see their child’s heart beating on the screen and feel comforted. A patient with stomach pain might see their doctor checking their liver or kidneys or bladder and feel more confident in the care.

POCUS helps patients feel included. It shows that the doctor is taking the time to listen, look, and explain things clearly.

Helping Doctors Make Quick, Smart Decisions

Sometimes doctors need answers fast. POCUS gives them a way to quickly check what’s happening inside the body. This can help them make a diagnosis — that means figuring out what’s wrong — right away.

Instead of waiting hours for test results, the doctor can often tell what’s going on in minutes.

For example:

• If a patient is having trouble breathing, POCUS can show if it’s a problem with the lungs or the heart.

• If someone has belly pain, POCUS can help check for fluid or infection.

• If a person is weak or dizzy, it can show if the heart is working well or if there is evidence of dehydration.

  
  

This fast, clear information helps doctors choose the right treatment sooner. That means better care and sometimes even saving lives.

Improving Care in Clinics and Hospitals

POCUS is helpful in many places. In outpatient clinics (where people go for check-ups or short visits), it helps doctors make quick decisions without sending patients to another building or waiting for tests.

In inpatient care (when someone is staying in the hospital), POCUS helps doctors check on patients every day or in a patient that suddenly deteriorates. It can also show if someone is getting better or if something new is happening.

This means doctors don’t have to guess. They can see what’s going on and adjust the plan to help the patient faster.

Making Patients Feel Safe and Involved

Many patients feel scared or unsure when they don’t understand what’s wrong. Seeing images on the screen helps them feel informed. It turns a mystery into something they can understand.

Doctors can show, not just tell, what’s happening. They can point to the screen and say things like, “This is your heart — it looks strong,” or “Here’s where the problem is.”

This helps patients and families feel calmer, more involved, and more trusting of their care team.

Helping Doctors and other Healthcare professionals Feel More Confident and Happy

POCUS doesn’t just help patients — it helps healthcare workers, too. Doctors and other healthcare providers want to help people quickly and correctly. When they can use POCUS to find answers fast, they feel more confident and proud of their work.

This helps fight burnout, which means feeling emotionally tired, stressed, or sad about work. Many doctors feel burned out when they can’t give the care they want. POCUS gives them more control, more answers, and more joy in helping others.

It also brings doctors closer to their patients. They are not staring at a computer screen — they are at the beside with the patient, using a tool that helps provide more answers and shows the patient the healthcare providers cares and will give them the attention the need to help treat their problem.

A Real-Life Example

Imagine a woman comes to the ER with chest pain. She’s scared it might be her heart. The doctor brings out the small POCUS machine and checks her heart right away.

He shows her the screen and says, “This is your heart. It looks strong.” She breathes a sigh of relief. The doctor explains that her pain is likely from a muscle strain, not something dangerous and will check some additional lab work to confirm his suspicions.

In just a few minutes, she feels better — not just because of the news, but because the doctor was right there with her, showing and explaining everything.

Final Thoughts

Point-of-care ultrasound is a smart, safe, and caring tool. It helps doctors give better care, obtain faster answers, and increases rapport with patients and families. It also helps doctors and other healthcare providers feel confident and connected to their work. Whether in a clinic or a hospital, POCUS is making healthcare better for everyone.

Next time you see a small ultrasound machine in a doctor’s hands, know that it’s not just technology — it’s a tool for kindness, trust, and healing.

Supporting Articles:

1.      Mathews BK, Miller PE, Olson APJ. Point-of-Care Ultrasound Improves Shared Diagnostic Understanding Between Patients and Providers. South Med J. 2018;111(7):395-400. doi:10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000833

2.      Aakjær Andersen C, Brodersen J, Davidsen AS, Graumann O, Jensen MBB. Use and impact of point-of-care ultrasonography in general practice: a prospective observational study. BMJ Open. 2020;10(9):e037664. Published 2020 Sep 17. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037664

3.      Kornelsen J, Ho H, Robinson V, Frenkel O. Rural family physician use of point-of-care ultrasonography: experiences of primary care providers in British Columbia, Canada. BMC Prim Care. 2023;24(1):183. Published 2023 Sep 8. doi:10.1186/s12875-023-02128-z