Keywords: Point‑of‑care ultrasound (POCUS), People experiencing homelessness (PEH), street medicine

Background: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) and displaced populations face profound barriers to timely diagnosis of both acute and chronic conditions. Point‑of‑care ultrasound (POCUS) offers a portable, non‑invasive, and cost‑effective diagnostic modality that has transformed care delivery in low‑resource and mobile settings.

Objective: To map and synthesize existing evidence on the use of POCUS for PEH and displaced populations, identify key themes in implementation and outcomes, and highlight gaps to inform future research and program development.

Methods: We conducted a narrative scoping review incorporating PRISMA elements to ensure transparency. Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science) were searched through January 12, 2025, for English‑language studies involving POCUS in PEH or displaced people. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data, resolving discrepancies by consensus. Studies were charted for population, setting, POCUS application, design, outcomes, and implementation barriers.

Results: No studies met all inclusion criteria. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria regarding POCUS, predominantly case reports, feasibility assessments, and observational cohorts across refugee camps (Uganda, Tanzania, Thailand), U.S. shelters, and urban communities in Japan and the U.S. Key applications included obstetric screening (e.g., reduced referral delays from 20 to 2 days), infectious disease detection (e.g., cutaneous leishmaniasis), lung ultrasound for COVID‑19 prognostication, FAST trauma exams, and vascular access. Significant barriers encompassed variable training standards, equipment maintenance, high workforce turnover, and structural challenges (stigma, follow‑up loss). Task‑shifting to mid‑level or lay providers showed promise but requires robust quality assurance and system integration. Notably, evidence in urban homeless settings remains sparse and primarily descriptive.

Conclusions: POCUS holds significant promise for enhancing diagnostic equity among PEH and displaced groups, yet its potential is underrealized due to gaps in standardized training, infrastructure, and rigorous evaluation. Future efforts should prioritize developing comprehensive, culturally responsive training programs; integration with telemedicine; policy support for mobile clinic reimbursement; and community‑engaged research designs. Scaling POCUS sustainably will demand collaborations between outreach providers, health systems, and policymakers to ensure accessible, high‑quality imaging for the most vulnerable populations.