EUROSON SCHOOL: Postgraduate Course “Tropical Medicine and Point-of-Care Ultrasound: An Integrated Approach”

Course Description
The postgraduate course Tropical Medicine and Point-of-Care Ultrasound: An Integrated Approach is an annual online programme designed for healthcare professionals seeking to develop practical skills in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases in tropical and resource-limited settings.
The course provides a comprehensive and integrated training pathway combining tropical medicine with point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), with a strong emphasis on clinical applicability. Participants will learn how to apply ultrasound as a bedside diagnostic tool across a wide spectrum of parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections, bridging imaging with clinical decision-making in real-world scenarios.
Through a structured combination of online lectures, interactive case discussions, and expert-led sessions, the programme offers both theoretical foundations and applied clinical reasoning. Topics include major parasitic diseases (such as echinococcosis and schistosomiasis), bacterial infections including tuberculosis and liver abscesses, and relevant viral conditions such as dengue and HIV. Particular attention is given to diagnostic strategies suitable for low-resource environments and field settings.
The course is delivered entirely online and is aimed at physicians and healthcare workers involved in tropical medicine, global health, infectious diseases, and international cooperation. It is particularly relevant for professionals working in or with resource-limited healthcare systems, as well as those encountering imported tropical diseases in high-income settings.
Beyond clinical training, the programme fosters international collaboration by bringing together an experienced faculty of experts in tropical medicine, infectious diseases, and ultrasound diagnostics.

Language:  English
Format:  100% online
Duration:  Academic Year 2026/27 (September 2026 – March 2027)

1. Introduction
Offered by the Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences at the University of Pavia, this online postgraduate course is designed for healthcare professionals working in tropical medicine and global health. The curriculum integrates a strong theoretical foundation with clinical case discussions to provide diagnostic tools suited for resource-limited settings and international health cooperation.

2. Objectives
1. Become familiar with diagnostic techniques relevant to tropical medicine.
2. Understand the use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) as a clinical tool across parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections.
3. Explore epidemiology and pathogen life cycles alongside imaging strategies.
4. Develop skills applicable in low-resource and international cooperation contexts.
5. Integrate theoretical knowledge with real-world clinical scenarios through case-based discussions.

3. Level of Education & Target Audience
This course is tailored for a broad range of healthcare providers, with a particular emphasis on physicians and surgeons. It is also open to:
● Nurses, lab technicians, and public health workers.
● Individuals caring for migrants or working in humanitarian settings.
● Medical students and residents in advanced stages of training.

4. Theoretical Knowledge and Content
The online course includes 70 hours of live and recorded lectures organized into four core modules:

Module 1: Parasitic Infections (PoCUS Focus)
● Diseases Covered: Filariasis, Echinococcosis (staging and classification), Ascariasis, Schistosomiasis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas Disease, Amebiasis, and Malaria.
● Special Topics: Ultrasound in the epidemiology of parasitic infections and case presentations led by experts.

Module 2: Bacterial Infections (PoCUS Focus)
● Respiratory & Systemic: Pulmonary and extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (TB), and Melioidosis.
● Focused Assessments: The FASH protocol (Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV/TB co-infection) and PoCUS in Melioidosis.
● Interventional: Bacterial liver abscesses and ultrasound-guided treatment strategies.

Module 3: Viral Infections (PoCUS Focus)
● Emerging & Tropical Viruses: Chest ultrasound in COVID-19, Ultrasound in Dengue, and other viral infections.
● Co-infections: PoCUS in AIDS and HIV-TB co-infection.
● Prevalence Studies: Using PoCUS for HBV prevalence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).

Module 4: Point-of-Care Laboratory Diagnostics
This module bridges imaging with laboratory science, covering diagnostic tools for viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections in tropical settings.

5. Course Schedule and Format
● Total Duration: September 2026 – March 2027.
● ECTS Credits: 14.
● Method: 100% Online, combining live sessions and recorded material.
● Engagement: Includes interactive case presentations and Q&A sessions to integrate theory and practice.

6. Practical Exercises and Case Studies
While delivered online, the course emphasizes practical clinical application through:

● Case Presentations: Specific sessions dedicated to complex real-world scenarios for each infection type.
● Imaging Interpretation: Focused review of ultrasound findings for parasitic and bacterial diseases.
● Diagnostic Integration: Combining PoCUS findings with laboratory diagnostic results.

7. Course Evaluation and Certification
● Attendance Requirement: Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory.
● Assessment: Evaluation through participation in case study presentations and discussions.
● Certification: A Certificate of Participation is awarded by the University of Pavia upon successful completion of all requirements.

8. Enrollment and Logistics
● Contact: tropicalultrasound@unipv.it
● Class Size: 7 to 20 participants.
● Language: English.