[Ultrasound training in emergency and intensive care medicine : Integration already in medical school?]

Ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool especially in emergency and intensive care medicine. It is always available at the bedside and shortens time to diagnosis. Many specialties have integrated ultrasound into diagnostic algorithms as part of the extended physical exam. Numerous differential diagnoses can be easily excluded using point-of-care ultrasound and therefore adequate treatment is initiated faster. Emergency or focused ultrasound is therefore of outstanding relevance to any emergency or critical care physician. Integration into medical school curricula is becoming more common tough no nationwide standards are in place yet.