POCUS in Military Medicine: Applications, Challenges, and the Future of Combat Casualty Care-COL Cristin Mount, MD, and LTC(P) Scott Grogan, DO

Episode Summary:

In this episode of WarDocs, we dive into the world of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in military medicine with Army COL Cristin Mount, MD, and LTC(P) Scott Grogan, DO. We discuss the various applications of POCUS in hospital and battlefield settings, as well as training opportunities and its role in graduate education, credentialing, and certification. We explore the practical applications of POCUS in trauma and disease non-battle injuries and its role in evacuation decision-making. Additionally, we examine the challenges surrounding POCUS privileges and the future of POCUS in combat casualty care, focusing on telehealth and artificial intelligence integration. Join us as we delve into the impact of POCUS on patient-provider relationships and the potential for further improvement in military medicine.

 

Chapters:

 

(0:00:00) - Point of Care Ultrasound

(0:12:28) - Ultrasound Use in Military Medicine

(0:25:44) - Privileging for Point of Care Ultrasound

(0:31:20) - Ultrasound for Military Careers

(0:43:52) - Reimagining Patient-Provider Interactions

 

Chapter Summaries:

 

(0:00:00) - Point of Care Ultrasound (12 Minutes)

In this episode of WarDocs, we explore the use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in military medicine with Army COL Cristin Mount, MD, and LTC(P) Scott Grogan, DO. They discuss the various applications of POCUS in both hospital and battlefield settings, as well as training opportunities and its role in graduate education, credentialing, and certification. The conversation highlights how POCUS can improve care at far-forward medical facilities in combat zones and provides a vision for future utilization.

 

(0:12:28) - Ultrasound Use in Military Medicine (13 Minutes)

In this portion of the conversation, we delve into the practical applications of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in trauma and disease non-battle injuries, as well as its role in evacuation decision-making. We also discuss the military's process of field testing and acquiring equipment, the current state of documentation, and the integration of POCUS images into electronic health records. The development of a standardized workflow and infrastructure for POCUS is also touched upon, highlighting the potential for further improvement in Military Medicine

 

 

(0:25:44) - Privileging for Point of Care Ultrasound (6 Minutes)

We discuss the current state of encounter-based workflows for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), highlighting that while the technology is still in its early stages, it is being worked on at the DHA level and will eventually be widely available. The conversation also touches on the challenges surrounding POCUS privileges, the need for more specific privileges, and the importance of demonstrating competency before implementing them. In addition, we examine the role of POCUS in Individual Critical Task Lists (ICTLs), noting that it is primarily used in trauma and procedure-based situations, but its application may evolve as POCUS becomes more prevalent in Military Medicine

 

(0:31:20) - Ultrasound for Military Careers (13 Minutes)

We examine the training and certification programs available for healthcare providers who are already out of their Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs and wish to learn point of care ultrasound (POCUS). The conversation touches upon the need for practice and supervision in POCUS training and how the military GME programs differ from civilian counterparts. The future of POCUS in combat casualty care is also discussed, with a focus on telehealth and artificial intelligence integration.

 

(0:43:52) - Reimagining Patient Provider Interactions (7 Minutes)

In this part of the discussion, we explore the impact of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) on the patient-provider relationship and share personal epiphanies from our experiences with the technology. We reflect on how POCUS has brought healthcare providers closer to their patients, allowing for more hands-on, bedside interaction and improving diagnostic decision-making. Furthermore, we discuss how POCUS has provided unexpected benefits, such as helping to determine whether a critically ill patient needs to be transported for further imaging, thereby reducing risks associated with transport of the critically ill patient.

 

Episode Keywords:

Point of Care Ultrasound, POCUS, Military Medicine, Battlefield Medicine, Ultrasound Training, Graduate Education, Credentialing, Certification, Trauma Care, Disease Non-Battle Injuries, Evacuation Decision-Making, POCUS Privileges, Combat Casualty Care, Telehealth, Artificial Intelligence Integration, Patient-Provider Relationship, Healthcare Providers, Diagnostic Decision-Making, Ultrasound Equipment

 

#POCUS #MilitaryMedicine #Ultrasound

 

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