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From Stethoscopes to Ultrasound: How the USA is Leading the POCUS Revolution and Why the UK Needs to Catch Up
In the United States, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is no longer a luxury or an optional skill—it’s fast becoming a cornerstone of medical education. Today’s American medical graduates are leaving university not just with a stethoscope around their neck, but with an ultrasound handheld device in their pocket. POCUS is now a mandatory part of the medical school curriculum in many US institutions, and clinicians are increasingly expected to be proficient in its use by the time they complete their training.

So, why is the UK falling behind, and what can be done to bridge the gap in POCUS education? Enter Complete POCUS Training, a new company formed from the merger of Box Courses and POCUS Frimley two well-established pioneers in POCUS Education. This innovative organisation is stepping in to help UK healthcare professionals catch up with their US counterparts through comprehensive training programs and ultrasound device rental partnerships. Let’s take a closer look at why POCUS is transforming the way healthcare is delivered—and how the UK can join the revolution.
The POCUS Revolution in the USA: Ultrasound as the New Stethoscope
For over 200 years, the stethoscope has been the symbol of a physician’s expertise. But in recent years, ultrasound has emerged as the “stethoscope of the future“—a tool that provides real-time, dynamic imaging of the body’s internal structures with far greater precision than sound waves alone.
In the US, this transformation is already well underway. By the time they graduate, many American medical students have received extensive POCUS training, enabling them to diagnose conditions such as heart failure, internal bleeding, and even pneumonia with a handheld ultrasound device. This hands-on learning is embedded into their curriculum, with 84% of US medical schools now incorporating POCUS into their teaching according to a 2019 study by the American Medical Association1.
Moreover, many American graduates are leaving medical school equipped with their very own handheld ultrasound devices—portable, versatile tools that allow them to use ultrasound at the patient’s bedside in clinics, emergency rooms, or even remote environments. This access to technology early in their careers is revolutionising the way US doctors approach patient care.
Comparison: The UK Lagging Behind in POCUS Integration
In stark contrast, the UK’s approach to POCUS remains limited and often fragmented. Despite growing recognition of its importance, POCUS training is not a mandatory part of the UK medical school curriculum. Most clinicians have to seek out additional training post-graduation, often at their own expense and with little access to ongoing support. According to a 2021 study published in Ultrasound journal2, approximately 56% of UK medical students receive some form of exposure to POCUS during their training — a startling gap compared to the USA. This figure reflects the increasing integration of POCUS into medical education, although it still remains less widespread compared to some other countries.
This lack of integration in medical education means that UK healthcare professionals are often undertrained in a tool that has the potential to radically improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Clinicians who do wish to become proficient in POCUS often face several hurdles: limited access to ultrasound machines, lack of mentorship, and the high cost of purchasing a personal device.
Complete POCUS Training: Helping the UK Bridge the Gap
While the UK may be behind, Complete POCUS Training is here to help UK healthcare professionals close the gap with their American counterparts. By offering comprehensive POCUS training pathways and providing access to handheld ultrasound devices through their partnership with Butterfly, Complete POCUS Training is bringing the future of diagnostics to UK clinicians.
1. Comprehensive Training from Beginners to Advanced
Complete POCUS Training offers a full range of POCUS courses, from introductory sessions to advanced applications. Whether you’re new to ultrasound or looking to expand your skills, Complete POCUS Training ensures that every clinician has the opportunity to develop their competencies at a pace that suits them. Unlike traditional courses that often stop after the basics, they provide a complete pathway to proficiency, ensuring that you can continue learning and improving your skills long after the course ends.
2. Handheld Ultrasound Device Rental
Recognising that access to equipment is a major barrier for UK clinicians, Complete POCUS Training has partnered with Butterfly to provide handheld ultrasound devices on a rental basis. These portable, easy-to-use devices allow clinicians to practice regularly, solidifying their POCUS skills while using the latest technology. This is a game-changer for UK doctors who previously had limited or no access to ultrasound equipment outside of their training environments.
3. Continuous Mentorship and Support
Complete POCUS Training also emphasises ongoing mentorship—a crucial factor in mastering ultrasound techniques. Their experienced instructors offer one-on-one support* to guide you through the complexities of POCUS, ensuring you’re not just learning theory but applying it in real-world clinical settings. This mentorship model mirrors the structured support systems found in the US, where clinicians receive continuous feedback and supervision as they refine their skills.
Why Stay Ahead of the Curve?
As the healthcare landscape evolves, the ability to use POCUS will become an increasingly valuable skill for clinicians. American doctors are already leading the charge, and it’s only a matter of time before POCUS becomes a standard part of patient care in the UK as well. By taking advantage of Complete POCUS Training’s comprehensive education programs and equipment rentals, UK healthcare professionals can stay ahead of the curve and ensure they’re ready for the future.
Complete POCUS Training is dedicated to bridging the gap between the UK and other countries in POCUS education. By offering accessible, flexible, and high-quality training opportunities, they’re empowering clinicians to adopt this transformative technology and improve patient outcomes across the board.
Join the POCUS Revolution Today!
Don’t get left behind. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, Complete POCUS Training has the courses, equipment, and support you need to excel. With the ability to rent handheld ultrasound devices, you can practice anytime, anywhere, putting you on the path to mastery.
Stay ahead of the curve—contact Complete POCUS Training now and start your journey toward becoming a POCUS expert. The future of diagnostics is here. Are you ready?
*please email info@completepocustraining.com for further information about bespoke and 1:1 training sessions
- Bahner DP, Goldman E, Way D, Royall NA, Liu YT. The state of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education in the United States: Results of a national survey of medical school deans. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2019;38(9):2379-2387. ↩︎
- S. W. C. Smith, D. S. J. McManus, C. M. Sanders, et al., “Current Status of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training for Medical Students in the United Kingdom,” Ultrasound, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 271–278, 2021. ↩︎