Online courses

Basic (whole body)

  • The course is primarily aimed at hospital clinicians.Its modular design makes it readily adaptable to different specialties, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, and intensive care medicine.
  • The course is delivered in British English.
  • The full curriculum comprises more than 20 hours of training content.
  • Module selection should be tailored to local needs by course directors.
    See example curricula by specialty for guidance.
  • Once you have completed the course and all multiple-choice questionnaires, you may request a certificate of completion by emailing admin@pocus.academy.
  • If you are enrolled in an AURUS practical course, the online module certificate is typically incorporated into your practical course attestation.
    Please keep all evidence of MCQ completion, as this may be required when your certificate is issued.
  • Before starting the course, we recommend logging in and consulting the quick-start guide to familiarise yourself with the platform.

Technical aspects

  • E-learning user guide
  • Basic physics of ultrasound
  • Imaging system
  • Probe selection
  • Modes
  • Doppler mode
  • Artefacts
  • Optimising utilisation and settings
  • Probe manipulation
  • Ultrasound guidance
  • Interaction and communication with the patient
  • Probe decontamination - US gel
  • POCUS diagnostic performance
  • POCUS and AI
  • POCUS and Tardoc
  • References

Heart

  • Introduction
  • Parasternal long axis view
  • Parasternal short axis view
  • Apical 4 chamber view
  • Apical 2 and 3 chamber view
  • Subcostal 4 chamber view
  • Inferior vena cava view
  • Haemodynamic evaluation
  • - Left ventricular systolic function
  • - Right ventricular function
  • - Clinical utility of the inferior vena cava
  • - Pericardial effusion
  • - Tamponade
  • - Useful measurements
  • - Stroke volume estimation
  • Valves
  • Some tips
  • Eye education
  • Pericardiocentesis (advanced course)
  • References
  • Clinical cases

Lung

  • Introduction
  • Semiology
  • Lung preset
  • Interstitial diseases
  • Pleural diseases
  • Pneumothorax
  • Thoracentesis
  • Consolidations
  • Tailoring scan to clinical situation
  • BLUE protocol
  • Diaphragmatic function
  • Rib fractures
  • References

Abdomen

  • Introduction
  • Liver
  • Ascitis and paracentesis
  • Gallbladder
  • Spleen
  • Kidney
  • Bladder
  • Suprapubic catheter insertion
  • Prostate
  • Abdominal aorta
  • FAST: perihepatic space
  • FAST: perisplenic space
  • FAST: perivesical view
  • eFAST protocol
  • References

Vessels

  • Deep venous thrombosis
  • Peripheral vein catheterisation
  • Midline
  • Jugular catheterisation
  • Femoral catheterisation
  • Subclavian/axillary venous catheterisation (optional module)
  • Arterial catheterisation
  • References

Nervous system

  • POCUS for diagnosis of giant cell arteritis
  • Lumbar puncture

Skin and musculoskeletal

  • Skin and soft tissue
  • Lymph nodes
  • Testis and adjacent structures
  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Arthrocentesis
  • Bone marrow puncture

Protocols

  • POCUS prehospital setting
  • Cardiorespiratory failure
  • BLUE protocol
  • E-Fast
  • Shock diagnostic algorithm
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Examination report
  • Case studies

Practical courses

  • Introduction
  • Conclusion
  • Certificate for the internist

Curricula and training standards

  • Teaching and learning POCUS
  • Primary care: formation and training (EFSUMB 2026)
  • Live ultrasound demonstrations (EFSUMB 2026)