Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has rapidly evolved from a niche skill to an essential extension of the clinical examination across emergency and critical care practice. Alongside this growth, the explosion of high-quality free open-access medical education (FOAMed) resources has made learning more accessible than ever. Yet, despite this abundance, translating knowledge into consistently accurate bedside image acquisition and interpretation remains a common challenge. Our monthly posts are designed to bridge that gap.

The aims : Together with step-by-step POCUS protocols, this series will focus on concise, high-yield POCUS Pearls—bite-sized insights aimed at refining technique, troubleshooting difficult scans, and avoiding common pitfalls that lead to false positive or misleading findings. The emphasis is on practical, bedside-relevant knowledge: how to optimise images, recognise limitations, and apply ultrasound findings with precision in real clinical contexts.

The how and when: Posts will be released monthly, alternating with our cardiology cases, with the goal of reinforcing pattern recognition while building a deeper, nuanced understanding of ultrasound in clinical decision-making. Whether you are early in your POCUS journey or looking to sharpen existing skills, this series aims to provide focused, digestible insights that translate directly into better scanning and safer patient care.

Written and edited by Dr Gareth Hughes, Dr Hywel James and Dr Alastair Robertson