The Paradox of Point of Care Ultrasound in Internal Medicine: The Gap between Evidence and Clinical Practice in Latin America

Milione H.F.; Hernández E.; Chebly K.; Carrión L.A.G.; Blanco M.Á.; Cruz R.J.B.; Pascual R.V. · Revista Cubana de Educacion Medica Superior (2026)

Resumen

Introduction: The implementation of point-of-care ultrasound in internal medicine presents a paradox between its recognized value and its actual use. Objective: To describe the frequency of use, characteristics, and barriers to the implementation of point-of-care ultrasound among internists in Latin America. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive observational study using a structured survey (62 items) of members of the International Forum of Internal Medicine conducted between September and November 2025. Results: 186 responses were analyzed. 63.9% were male, and 59.6% had less than 10 years of experience. Only 15.6% used point-of-care ultrasound routinely (>5 times/week), while 24.7% never used it. The most frequent applications were pulmonary (23.1%) and cardiac (21.5%). The main barriers identified were the lack of trained instructors (90.3%) and the lack of equipment (87.6%). Conclusions: There is a critical gap between the perceived need for point-of-care ultrasound and its implementation, driven by training and institutional limitations.