Upcoming Workshops

We will offer two introductory POCUS workshops in 2026 for family physicians.

Jan. 17-18, 2026
June 2026 (dates TBD)

See more details under "Workshops"

Point of Care Ultrasound

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Welcome to the Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) program at the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program!

In 2026, the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program will sponsor two "Introduction to Point of Care Ultrasound for Family Physicians" workshops. See more details below under "Workshops".

Saturday, January 17th and Sunday, January 18th, 2026
Late June 2026 (exact date TBD)

POCUS was introduced here in 2010 and has since become an instrumental part of our program both at the bedside and as a point of emphasis in our teaching of both residents and attendings at CCRMC.

Our POCUS program has expanded over the years to include multiple workshops per year, weekly focused hands-on scanning in the ED and hospital, and incorporation into our longitudinal curriculum for our residents.

POCUS Teaching

POCUS has been integrated into the longitudinal curriculum at our residency program in a number of ways, including online didactics, in-person scanning, and lectures at Noon Conferences and Half-Day Didactics (resident-focused lecture series). POCUS teaching is a component of resident education throughout the entire 3-year training process.
Residents have opportunities to learn from our radiology technicians in the hospital as well as scan patients themselves throughout the emergency department, hospital and clinics. There are multiple preceptors who help residents obtain and review their images.
Residents have access to the Global Ultrasound Institute (GUSI) to utilize their amazing resources for an excellent online learning platform
2nd- and 3rd-year residents have the opportunity to do an elective to further expand their POCUS skills in diagnosing and treating common and life-threatening conditions, as well as utilizing POCUS to improve procedural skills. The POCUS training consists of "scanning" shifts in the Emergency Department.

Workshops

Priority enrollment will be given to clinical faculty or residents interested in starting or developing a POCUS program in their Family Medicine Residency Program.

The course will teach bedside ultrasound skills that are vital tools for outpatient and inpatient physicians, including cardiac, pulmonary, gallbladder, kidney, aorta, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), musculoskeletal, procedural guidance and more (see a sample schedule at the end of this section).

Participation in the course will allow you to receive 16 units Continuing Medical Education credits (American Academy of Family Physicians - AAFP); 1-year access to the online learning platform at the Global Ultrasound Institute; and a certification of completion that can be used when applying for POCUS privileges at your home institution.

The hours of the courses will be 800am - 500pm on Saturday and 830am - 500pm on Sunday. The course will take place at the: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, Building 1, first floor conference center, 2500 Alhambra Way, Martinez, CA 94553.

Payment: The course costs $949. Similar courses by commercial vendors cost over $1250. Receipt of payment will reserve you a spot in the course. Space is limited. Your payment will help cover the costs of the course and all proceeds support our Global Health Fellowship that is helping to develop the nascent specialty of Family Medicine in Malawi.

Please obtain payment information and enroll in the course by e-mailing Diana Lahtaw at CCPOCUS.Program@cchealth.org.

For other questions, please contact Matthew Fentress, MD.

Matthew.Fentress@cchealth.org

Here is a sample of one of our two-day workshops

Day 1

8 a.m. Sign in / Introduction
8:30 a.m. "The Basics" - Ultrasound (US) terminology, physics, "knobology"
8:50 a.m. Trauma: Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) and Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (E-FAST)
9:10 a.m. FAST and E-FAST lab
10:30 a.m. Abdominal ultrasound - gallbladder and aorta
10:50 a.m. Abdominal - gallbladder and aorta lab
noon - 1 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. Pass the Pointer (review of basics, FAST, and abdominal US)
1:20 p.m. Cardiac US
1:40 p.m. Cardiac lab
3:00 p.m. Pulmonary US
3:20 p.m. Pulmonary lab
4 p.m. DVT US
4:20 p.m. DVT - Lab
5:00 pm. Adjourn

Day 2

8:30 a.m. Brief review/Pass the pointer
8:50 a.m. Obstetrics (OB) first trimester, rule out ectopic US
9:10 a.m. OB first trimester, rule out ectopic lab
10:00 a.m. Abdominal US - Kidney and bladder
10:20 a.m. Abdominal - Kidney and bladder lab
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Soft tissue and procedural US
1:05 p.m. Soft tissue and procedural lab
2:05 p.m. Musculoskeletal US
2:25 p.m. Musculoskeletal lab
3:25 p.m. Rapid Ultrasound for Shock and Hypotension (RUSH)
3:45 p.m. RUSH lab
4:45 p.m. Overview of advanced applications/Wrap Up
5:00 p.m. Adjourn

Global Health

Our residency is dedicated to training residents who are passionate about practicing Family Medicine in under-resourced settings, and our Global Health Track and Global Health Fellowship provide residents and fellows with additional training to excel in these environments.
Global Health Fellows receive additional POCUS training and not only learn from our POCUS preceptors but also help teach many of our workshops here at CCRMC.

POCUS Resources

If you would like help in setting up a POCUS program or a 2-day course at your residency, or if would like to attend one of our POCUS courses at Contra Costa, please review the information on this page. You can also contact the program coordinator at CCPOCUS.Program@cchealth.org