CPoCUS Tracks

Family Medicine Musculoskeletal (FM MSK)

This advanced track is for clinicians who manage patients with a range of musculoskeletal pathologies in the primary care setting

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Train

Read the FM MSK Curriculum

Learn with text and diagrams

This advanced curriculum teaches clinicians POCUS skills for managing a variety of common musculoskeletal pathologies. It includes protocols for image generation, image identification, and clinical integration. All examination questions are based on the curriculum.

SECTION 1

POCUS
basics

5 modules with diagrams

SECTION 2

Advanced skills for certification

5 modules

Sign up for a course

The following MSK courses are offered by independent organizations

(listed alphabetically A-Z)

Certain courses are accredited and meet
CPoCUS quality and training criteria

Note: CPoCUS does not determine course fees or cancellation policies

EDE Bootcamp

Three-day hands-on workshops and exams designed to provide IP certification in point of care ultrasound.

Prairie POCUS

Four-day hands-on workshop with integrated CPoCUS exams designed for participants to obtain full IP certification at the end of the course. Combined with RESUS IP certification.

Rural Coordination Centre

(University of British Columbia)

Full day of POCUS skills and applications. This event will consist of live scanning stations and key talks on various topics, such as cardiology, MSK, and ocular.

SONO Manitoba

(University of Manitoba)

Three-day hands-on courses at University of Manitoba are designed to provide IP certification in point of care ultrasound. Combined with DIAG IP certification.

Sport Medicine Ultrasound Canada

Hands-on MSK ultrasound courses for guided joint injections.

CERTIFY

How to get certified
as an Independent Practitioner (IP)

IP candidate completes a CPoCUS- accredited FM MSK introductory course

IP candidate completes logged scan requirements supervised by a FM MSK Track Instructor

IP candidate passes three examinations with a FM MSK Track Instructor

FM MSK Track Instructor submits an IP request for the IP candidate

IP candidate pays
one-time certificate fee to finalize IP certification

IP candidate receives IP number and FM MSK IP certificate

Brief overview of certification examinations

You must be a CPoCUS member to attempt any examination

All examination questions are based on the curriculum

Written examination assesses knowledge base.

The Written exam is conducted on a computer (one examiner supervises many candidates).

Pass score of 85%.

The Written exam is an online, multiple choice, closed book examination with 20-80 questions. If the candidate fails the first attempt, they receive a report detailing incorrect answers. Candidates may re-write the examination the next day.

Visual examination assesses image interpretation and ability to integrate POCUS findings into clinical care.

The Visual exam is conducted on a computer (one examiner supervises one candidate).

Pass score of 85%.

The Visual exam uses an online interactive video presentation. The examiner asks the candidate to interpret images and videos, and incorporate findings into case scenarios.

Practical examination assesses image generation.

The Practical exam is conducted on a standardized patient (one examiner supervises one candidate).

Pass score of 100%.

The Practical exam is an in-person scanning examination. The examiner uses a detailed checklist of essential techniques to assess the candidate.

The candidate should perform the techniques without hesitation and without prompting from the examiner.