Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) enables real-time diagnostic imaging to support clinical decision-making and procedural safety. Its use is particularly relevant in military environments, where access to conventional imaging is often limited or unavailable. This study assessed current POCUS use, training and perceived barriers among Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) clinicians to guide future integration across clinical and operational contexts. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to CAF clinicians between Sep. 6 and Nov. 24, 2024. The survey collected data on clinician demographics, POCUS training, device access, clinical applications, frequency of use, perceived barriers, and preferred modalities of future instruction. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize survey responses. The study received ethics approval from the Montfort Hospital Research Ethics Board and endorsement from the Surgeon General Health Research Program. Results: A total of 112 clinicians completed the survey. Respondents included Medical Officers (61%), Medical Specialist Officers (17%), Physician Assistants (16%), and Nurse Practitioners (6%). Prior POCUS training was reported by 73% of respondents, primarily through civilian courses and peer-led instruction. Only 59% reported current access to a POCUS device. Trauma (95%), cardiac (76%), and lung (72%) assessments were the most common applications. Barriers included limited device access (58%), insufficient training (41%), skill decay, and absence of institutional standards. POCUS use varied by clinical role and was less frequent in operational deployments. Discussion: This study identified variability in POCUS training, access, and use across the CAF. A coordinated strategy involving clinical and non-clinical stakeholders may support more consistent implementation across CAF health care settings.
Dion et al. (Sat,) studied this question.