Point-of-care Ultrasound Utility in the Free Clinic Setting

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the clinical utility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in patients receiving care in a free clinic or street medicine setting in Indianapolis. The main question it aims to answer is:

How often is POCUS used during patient encounters in a free clinic setting, and how does it influence clinical decision-making?

Participants who are receiving care from the street medicine team or the Indiana University School of Medicine Student Outreach Clinic and who undergo a clinically indicated POCUS exam as part of their regular medical care will have information from their ultrasound encounters recorded. Researchers will track the type of ultrasound performed, the findings, and whether the ultrasound changed the patient's medical management. Participants will also have a 30-day follow-up through electronic medical record review or phone/email contact to assess their clinical course and compare POCUS findings with any formal radiology studies if performed.