The role of a handheld ultrasound device to facilitate remote learning for a point-of-care ultrasound certificate program

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound is a growing field within anesthesiology as well as several other medical and surgical specialties. The recent development of handheld ultrasound devices has the potential to expand the use or this technology by decreasing the cost and increasing accessibility for the healthcare provider. These handheld devices may be used to assist with education, training, and even direct patient care. We outline our process for using a handheld ultrasound device, the Lumify, to assist in the completion of a point-of-care ultrasound certificate program offered by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. We outline the unique advantages of this device as it relates to cost, portability, and applicability of its web-based technology compared to a traditional standalone ultrasound machine for the completion of this course.