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Title:
Development of a Longitudinal Point-of-Care Ultrasound Learning Portfolio

Author:
Taylor Osborne

Area of Concentration (Petal):
Medical Education Leadership & Scholarship

Keywords:
POCUS, medical education, longitudinal learning

Background:
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an increasingly important clinical skill across medical specialties, enhancing bedside diagnosis and reinforcing anatomical understanding. While medical students receive structured introductory ultrasound training, opportunities for longitudinal, self-directed practice are often limited. This gap can hinder the development of technical proficiency and confidence in image acquisition. To address this need, I developed a structured, self-directed ultrasound portfolio to support ongoing skill development beyond formal curricular sessions.

Objectives:
The objectives of this project were to: (1) improve technical proficiency in acquiring standard ultrasound views; (2) track longitudinal skill progression through a structured portfolio; and (3) reinforce anatomical knowledge through ultrasound imaging.

Design:
This educational intervention consisted of a self-directed, longitudinal ultrasound portfolio developed over the course of a medical school Discovery Year. Using institutional ultrasound equipment, I performed repeated scans on volunteer participants, focusing on standard views taught in the curriculum. Images and short video clips were stored in a secure, de-identified format. Each entry included the intended view, anatomical structures visualized, and brief reflective notes assessing image quality and technique. The project was conducted within the existing medical education infrastructure and did not involve formal research or patient care.

Impact/Effectiveness:
Although formal evaluation metrics were not collected, the project facilitated consistent, deliberate practice and structured reflection, contributing to improved confidence and technical skill in ultrasound image acquisition. The longitudinal format allowed for the identification of strengths and areas for improvement over time.

Lessons Learned:
Key challenges included coordinating volunteer availability and maintaining consistent practice sessions. Flexibility in scheduling and integrating scanning into existing academic routines was critical for sustainability. The importance of structured reflection and timely feedback emerged as essential components for meaningful skill development.

Summary:
A longitudinal, self-directed ultrasound portfolio is a feasible and effective educational strategy to supplement formal POCUS training. This model promotes deliberate practice, reflective learning, and skill progression over time. Future applications may include integrating similar portfolio-based approaches into medical curricula to enhance procedural skill acquisition and support competency-based education.