The IMSANZ Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) special interest group brings together clinicians with a shared passion for advancing the use of POCUS in general and acute medicine. We believe that POCUS is a powerful clinical tool that complements traditional history-taking and physical examination by providing immediate, dynamic, and clinically relevant information at the point of care. Its portability allows physicians to return to the bedside, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, supporting clinical decision-making, and improving patient-centred care.
We recognise that the widespread adoption of POCUS presents important challenges, including access to training, governance frameworks, quality assurance, and competency recognition. Through collaboration, education, research, and advocacy, the SIG is committed to addressing these barriers and supporting the safe, effective, and sustainable integration of POCUS into everyday general and acute medicine practice.

• Defining the scope of POCUS practice for general and acute care physicians.
• Promoting the implementation and integration of POCUS into routine general and acute medicine practice.
• Promoting education and training in point-of-care ultrasound for general and acute care physicians.
• Organising hands-on workshops at IMSANZ conferences across Australia and New Zealand.
• Collaborating with academic institutions, healthcare organisations, professional societies, and industry partners to improve access to high-quality ultrasound education and training resources.
• Facilitating networking and collaboration among clinicians with an interest in POCUS.
• Promoting and supporting research that advances the evidence base for POCUS in Internal Medicine.

The IMSANZ POCUS Special Interest Group has published an editorial in the Internal Medicine Journal outlining the rationale and a summary of how POCUS could be used in practice (IMJ editorial). Building on this work, the group conducted a Delphi consensus study involving experts from Australia and New Zealand to define the scope of POCUS practice for General and Acute Care Physicians. Through three rounds of surveys, consensus was reached on the clinical indications, organ systems, and procedures that should form part of core POCUS practice within the specialty. The study identified key applications including assessment of dyspnoea, shock, fluid status, heart failure, acute kidney injury, and venous thromboembolism, while supporting the use of cardiac, lung, vascular, kidney, bladder, and focused abdominal ultrasound, as well as a range of ultrasound-guided procedures. This work provides the first specialty-specific framework for POCUS in Internal Medicine in Australia and New Zealand, establishing a foundation for future training, competency recognition, governance, and implementation initiatives. (IMJ 2025)

POCUS at IMSANZ: Building Skills, Strengthening Practice

The POCUS workshop at the IMSANZ NZ Conference in Queenstown delivered another highly successful and engaging experience.

We are grateful to our outstanding instructors for their expertise, energy, and teamwork. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with the hands-on format receiving particular praise.

With the conferences held in the last couple of years, the POCUS team has already trained over 150 participants — a significant milestone that reflects a strong shared commitment to professional development and clinical excellence.

Another Outstanding POCUS Workshop at the IMSANZ Conference

The recent POCUS workshop at the IMSANZ Conference in Adelaide was another resounding success! A huge thank you to our dedicated instructors for their energy, expertise, and teamwork. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and participants continue to praise the hands-on learning experience.

Over just three IMSANZ conferences, the POCUS team has trained around 120 participants — a milestone highlighting our shared commitment to professional growth and clinical excellence. 

Saturday, 8 March 2025 — held in conjunction with the IMSANZ New Zealand Conference in Dunedin. Led by Dr Nic Szecket, the workshop brought together 28 attendees, supported by seven supervisors and seven volunteer patients, with generous support from Fuji Sonosite.

The workshop introduced cardiac and lung scanning, ultrasound principles, machine operation, cardiac anatomy, IVC assessment, and lung ultrasound for congestion detection.

These workshops combine pre-course e-learning developed by the University of Melbourne Ultrasound Education Group with supervised hands-on scanning sessions led by experienced POCUS educators from this SIG.

Download the Terms of Reference for the IMSANZ POCUS Special Interest Group.

Download Terms of Reference (Coming Soon)