Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as a resource for anatomy education for nursing students.

• Grant number: 25/19570-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Angelita Maria Stabile
• Grantee: Matheus Camilo Assis
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Human anatomy is a fundamental discipline for the training of healthcare professionals, including nurses. In a scenario of technological advancement and a digital native student profile, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) emerges as a promising tool, allowing for real-time dynamic visualization of bodily structures. Although its integration into anatomy teaching in medical schools is documented, there is a gap in the literature regarding its use in nursing programs, especially in Brazil. This project aims to evaluate the potentialities and difficulties of using point-of-care ultrasound, in association with cadaveric and synthetic anatomical specimens, in teaching cardiac anatomy to nursing students. The study will be conducted at the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing - USP (EERP-USP) and will involve an estimated 50 undergraduate students enrolled in the Anatomy discipline in 2026, after the completion of the theoretical-practical block of Circulatory System Anatomy. The intervention will take place in groups of eight students, lasting approximately three hours. The procedure will include a theoretical exposition on the principles of ultrasonography, practical familiarization with the device on a live mannequin, review of cardiac anatomy using cadaveric and synthetic specimens, and guided practice in acquiring ultrasound images of the heart on a live mannequin, using portable transducers and a detailed protocol for the parasternal long-axis and apical windows. Data collection will be carried out using the focus group technique, with each group session lasting 30 minutes, led by a facilitator and a rapporteur researcher, based on a guiding script covering previous experiences, expectations, comprehension, interactivity, and technical difficulties. Data analysis will be performed using thematic content analysis, following the stages of pre-analysis, exploration, and treatment of results, as per Bardin. It is expected that this study will contribute to filling the knowledge gap regarding the applicability of POCUS in anatomy education for nursing, aiding in the modernization of learning and preparing students for the technological demands of professional practice. The results may support the more regular incorporation of point-of-care ultrasound into the undergraduate nursing curriculum, promoting a deeper understanding of anatomy and its dynamic clinical correlation, aligning education with the competencies required for contemporary healthcare.