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Research Snapshot Theater: Professional Development and Education, Pediatric III

Piloting a Structured Point-of-Care Ultrasound Fellowship Within Pediatric Critical Care Training

Monday, March 23, 2026
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Central Time
Location: Connections Central - RST 15

  • Vidit Bhargava, MD

    University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

  • LB

    Luke Burton, MD

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

  • Aya Al-Noubani, MD (she/her/hers)

    Alabama

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

  • MB

    Mark Baker, MD, MEd

    Professor
    University of Alabama Hospital, Alabama

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • NT

    Nancy Tofil, MD, MEd

    Professor
    University of Alabama Hospital, Alabama

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • JS

    James Statler, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Alabama, Alabama

    Disclosure information not submitted.

Introduction: Despite the growing importance of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in pediatric critical care, advanced training opportunities remain limited. A shortage of trained POCUS educators is frequently cited as a barrier to widespread implementation during training. To address this gap, we developed and piloted a one-year comprehensive, structured POCUS fellowship curriculum integrated within pediatric critical care training at our institution during the 2024–2025 academic year.


Methods: The curriculum was designed around four core domains: (1) image acquisition and interpretation, (2) program administration, (3) research, and (4) quality improvement. Educational objectives were aligned with the Pediatric Research Collaborative on Critical Ultrasound (PeRCCUS) framework and guidance from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). The program emphasized clinical integration of POCUS into daily decision-making, development of teaching skills across learner levels, and leadership competencies. Additional components included mentored career development, curriculum design, credentialing processes, and billing practices—preparing the trainee to lead and sustain POCUS programs in future academic or clinical settings.


Results: Over the course of the year, the fellow performed 500 high-quality ultrasound scans spanning a broad range of pediatric critical care applications. A robust quality assurance (QA) component included participation in approximately 100 hours of QA review sessions, during which the fellow provided structured feedback to departmental scanners. The fellow also delivered bedside instruction and led workshops for a multidisciplinary learner group. Additionally, the fellow initiated an independent research project and led a quality improvement initiative aimed at improving POCUS documentation practices within the electronic health record.


Conclusions: We successfully implemented a structured, comprehensive POCUS curriculum embedded within pediatric critical care fellowship training. This model may serve as a template for developing future leaders in pediatric POCUS who are equipped to integrate clinical practice, education, QA, and program development.