BRIEF REPORT
Christian Elias Vazquez, PhD, MSW; William Ligon, MD; Jason Ramm, MD; Katherine Sanchez, PhD; Matthew Lohse, MD; Tresa McNeal, MD; Sharon Reece, MD
Corresponding Author: Christian Elias Vazquez, PhD, MSW; Patient and Community Engaged Research Center, Baylor Scott and White Research Institute.
Email: christian.vazquez@bswhealth.org
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2025.250431R2
Keywords: Credentialing, Continuing Education, Faculty, Family Medicine, POCUS, Point-of-Care Systems, Primary Health Care, Texas, Ultrasonography
Dates: Submitted: 11-10-2025; Revised: 11-20-2025; 01-12-2026; Accepted: 02-02-2026
Status: In Press.
BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool in primary care, yet its integration into Family Medicine, particularly among practicing faculty, remains limited. While recent guidelines mandate POCUS competency for residents, mid- and late-career clinicians face barriers including time constraints, cost, and lack of streamlined credentialing pathways.
METHODS: This brief report highlights a faculty development initiative within the Central Texas Region Department of Family Medicine at Baylor Scott & White Health, a large rural-serving health system. The initiative enrolled 30 clinicians in a 12-month POCUS fellowship, combining hands-on workshops, virtual mentorship, and access to a comprehensive training curriculum. Despite significant investment and high initial interest, completion rates mirrored national trends, underscoring persistent challenges in faculty engagement. The initiative also led to the development of a system-wide privileging framework and a diagnostic primary care POCUS privilege card, offering a replicable model for other Family Medicine departments.
RESULTS: Lessons learned include the importance of workflow-integrated training, IT support for device efficiency, and ongoing continuing education to sustain momentum.
CONCLUSIONS: Lessons and early feedback from faculty suggest that dedicated, department-wide initiatives are a good starting place for moving towards more credentialing; however, implementation barriers require thoughtful planning to maximize this investment in this training.