The Core Compendium of the European Society for Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Curriculum

Abstract

The diversity of healthcare systems across Europe has predictably resulted in significant variations in point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) training and practice for emergency medicine (EM). To encourage a more synchronized approach and address these inconsistencies, the European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM) chartered its Ultrasound Section to develop a comprehensive curriculum compendium that should serve as a foundational guide for European Emergency Medicine PoCUS clinical and educational guidelines and policies. Under the leadership of a dedicated task force, the EUSEM Ultrasound Section developed this compendium to provide a structured, tiered framework designed to meet the needs of physicians at every skill level, from novice to advanced users. The compendium emphasizes applications that are currently practiced in different and diverse emergency departments in Europe, including a broad range of topics. An important goal was allowing flexibility to accommodate the unique resources and challenges of different healthcare environments, so that EM physicians can achieve PoCUS competencies matching their local circumstances and needs. To achieve this goal, good educational and clinical stewardship throughout this process is a key part to the success of advancing PoCUS in European EM. This compendium is intended as a resource for creating standardized yet adaptable training pathways. It represents a major step toward harmonizing and advancing PoCUS practice in European EM.