Participate in interest groups and seek out leadership positions in emergency medicine (EM), ultrasound, critical care, radiology, obstetrics/gynecology, and cardiology. You can also participate in ultrasound teaching sessions held by interest groups
and in your medical school curriculum. If an interest group is not available, consider starting a group. For advice on how to start, visit the Association for Medical Ultrasound (AIUM) website,
AIUM National Ultrasound Interest Group webpage, or Sonomojo webpage for suggestions.
Seek mentorship: multiple ultrasound-focused faculty are present in the departments outlined above, including anesthesia and radiology.
Shadow mentors: understand how ultrasound is applied in diagnostics, resuscitation, procedures, and clinical decision-making at the bedside in each specialty.
Participate in ultrasound symposiums: often titled Ultrafest, these are free symposiums for medical students to have hands-on ultrasound experience. Inquire if an ultrasound symposium is available near your medical school.
Try to attend national conferences and ultrasound section meetings and events.
Select clerkship rotations that provide opportunities for ultrasound application, including EM and critical care (surgical intensive care unit [ICU], medical ICU, cardiothoracic ICU).
Read about ultrasound: there are several free, open-access resources for ultrasound including several high-quality textbooks and digital books.
If available, take an elective/selective focused on ultrasound. If not available, consider an away rotation.
Consider a research elective or a research project focusing on ultrasound.
Demonstrate interest during residency interviews. See the Resources page for elements to consider in a residency program.
Learn human anatomy and how various structures are represented on ultrasound.
Learn how to hold and move the probe for image optimization.
Understand the physics of ultrasound and the functions of each setting on the machine (aka knobology).
Learn to apply advanced functions including measurements, doppler, and M-mode to identify pathology.
Practice using ultrasound in simulated procedures including IV placement and central venous catheter placement.
Learn to identify pathology on ultrasound imaging.
Observe real-time physiology. Examples include lung sliding, respiratory variation of the inferior vena cava, ureteral jets, and how vagal maneuvers affect the internal jugular vein.
Residency Application: Elements to Consider in an EM Residency Program
How is ultrasound taught by the program - independent learning, faculty at bedside on rotation, faculty at bedside clinically?
Are scans being used for medical decision making (MDM) or are all required to have a follow-up scan from radiology?
Are other departments in the hospital doing bedside ultrasound?
How many attendings are credentialed in ultrasound?
Do attending physicians bill for ultrasound exams?
What machines are available? What is the ratio of machines to patient rooms?
How are performed scans reviewed? Immediate vs. delayed? Is there a quality review program?
Is there direct observation or a standardized assessment program? How is feedback provided?
Does the program have an active ultrasound fellowship?
How many ultrasound fellowship-trained faculty are on staff?
