
Emergency Ultrasound Two-Week Elective
Preceptor: Jacqueline Gomberg, MD
Contact: Jacqueline.Gomberg@NYULangone.org
Telephone: 914-426-9149
Prerequisites: All Clerkships
Who should enroll in this elective?
Students who are considering Emergency Medicine as a career
Students who are entering an allied field, such as Internal Medicine, Radiology, Surgery.
Students who are simply interested in this clinical area
Clinical sites
The primary clinical site will be the Bellevue Emergency Department. Occasionally, there will be scan shifts scheduled at NYU Tisch and NYU Brooklyn.
Description
This is an introductory 2-week elective that seeks to introduce students to the field of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the NYU Department of Emergency Medicine. Students will receive hands-on training, as well as a variety of didactics to learn the basics of emergency ultrasound. Students will be given required readings and lectures to help develop background knowledge of core and advanced emergency ultrasound applications. Students will attend a weekly four-hour didactic conference with the ultrasound division. Further, they will be given autonomy to practice and develop their ultrasound skills, scanning patients both with real-time supervision and independently. Scans will be saved electronically for later review at weekly Thursday conference.
Objectives of the Elective
Upon completion of the elective, you are expected to:
- Demonstrate understanding of basic ultrasound physics and instrumentation
- Demonstrate understanding of which transducers and settings are most appropriate for common emergency ultrasound applications
- Demonstrate understanding of indications for performing a focused, bedside ultrasound
- Demonstrate the ability to perform core emergency ultrasound scans in the appropriate clinical context: eFAST, Pelvic (Transabdominal and transvaginal), AAA, Cardiac, Biliary, Renal, DVT, RUSH exam
- Become exposed to advanced emergency ultrasound applications: Soft Tissue, Musculoskeletal, Ocular, Procedures
- Describe the limitations and pitfalls associated with bedside ultrasound applications.
Key Responsibilities of the student while on Elective
By enrolling in this elective, you have agreed to:
- Attend a 4-hour orientation/scanning shift
- Participate in eight 4-hour supervised and independent scanning shifts
- Complete required readings and videos
- Attend weekly Thursday ultrasound conference
- Complete and archive 40 acceptable scans during independent or supervised ultrasound shifts
- Document all scans performed by filling out a Q-path worksheet for each scan performed
- Follow-up and confirm all bedside ultrasound scans with results from comprehensive radiographic studies or the patient’s chart and reflect on the accuracy of their findings and what could be done differently
- Review all completed and QA’d scans for evaluation and feedback
- Submit an “Interesting US Case” complete with a representative image, description of the sonographic findings, and summary of the clinical scenario during the last week of the rotation
Key Responsibilities of the preceptor/residents/faculty while you are on Elective
By accepting your enrollment in this elective, the department has agreed to:
- Clearly communicate their expectations of you
- Maintain a supportive clinical learning environment
- Ensure that you have access to a broad case mix and clinical experience
- Provide the education necessary for you to gain an understanding of the patients and pathology reflective of this specialty
- Provide feedback on your clinical skills
Didactic program
You will have daily assigned lectures on core ultrasound topics, ensuring comprehensive knowledge in areas such as eFAST, RUSH, obstetrics, aorta, echo, biliary, renal, and DVT scans. Additionally, every Thursday, you will participate in a 4-hour department US QA review session covering these core EM POCUS scans, as well as advanced ultrasound topics.
Weekly schedule
Week 1
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
AM: Self- Guided Didactics PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US Team |
AM: Self-Guided Didactics PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US team |
AM: Self-Guided Scan Shift PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US team |
Ultrasound QA Conference PM: Didactic Lecture |
AM: Self-Guided Didactics PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US team |
Week 2
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
AM: Self Guided Didactics PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US Team |
AM: Self Guided Didactics PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US team |
AM: Self Guided Scan Shift PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US team |
Ultrasound QA Conference PM: Didactic Lecture 15-minute lecture delivered by rotator on any US Topic |
AM: Self Guided Didactics PM: Ultrasound Scan Shift with US team |
Method of evaluation
You will be assessed through direct observation of technical skills (performing bedside ultrasound, obtaining standard "windows," and acquiring a library of acceptable scans), as well as interpretive skills (reading bedside ultrasound scans and integrating into patient care). Your final grade will also take into account your attendance, your case presentation, and US faculty evaluations of your performance.
Scheduling information
Duration: 2 Weeks
Months Offered: January - June
Student point of contact before start of elective Please email Dr. Gomberg at least 2 weeks before the start of your rotation at Jacqueline.Gomberg@NYULangone.org
On day 1, students report to: Please refer to your instruction email with detailed locations as to where to report
Students per elective block: 1