Mapping Conceptual and Terminological Diversity in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS): Protocol for a Scoping Review

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become increasingly relevant in healthcare by allowing clinical assessment and imaging to occur simultaneously at the bedside. Despite its widespread adoption, the literature in English uses multiple terms to describe the practice (e.g., bedside ultrasound, focused ultrasound, clinical ultrasound), which leads to conceptual inconsistencies and difficulties in standardization and reproducibility. Objective: To map how POCUS is conceptually described in English-language publications, including the terminology employed, the definitions proposed, and the contexts in which the concept is applied. Methods: This scoping review will follow JBI methodological guidance and be reported using PRISMA-ScR. The research question was developed using the PCC framework, considering healthcare professionals (P), terminology and conceptualization of POCUS (C), and studies published in English in clinical or educational contexts (C). Eligible sources will include empirical studies, reviews, guidelines, protocols, and experience reports that address conceptual or terminological aspects of POCUS. Searches will be conducted in major biomedical databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science). Study selection will be carried out independently by two reviewers in Rayyan®, with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. Data will be summarized descriptively, focusing on terms, definitions, conceptual attributes, and contexts of use. Discussion: The review seeks to clarify how POCUS is described across different fields, contributing to reduced terminological ambiguity and supporting better alignment in research, education, and clinical practice. Improved conceptual clarity is expected to facilitate evidence retrieval, enhance methodological rigor, and strengthen the scientific foundation of POCUS as a healthcare technology.