Focused echocardiography entry level: new concept of a 1-day training course

Abstract

Aim: We describe a training programme for non-specialists in focused echocardiography in the periresuscitation setting which represents an entry level in echocardiography training (FEEL) for emergency and critical care medicine physicians.

Methods: A prospective observational study based upon the development of a periresuscitation echocardiography training programme developed for novice practitioners (N=15 courses).

Results: The programme enables novice echocardiographers to be able to perform a focused echocardiogram in an ALS-compliant manner, and interpret the findings in the context of the clinical scenario. It is based on the concept of blended learning, incorporating a combination of e-learning, web-based teaching and reading selected literature, and attendance at a course. The course comprises 4-hours of theory and 4-hours of hands-on training.

Conclusions: Periresuscitation echocardiography, performed safely, within the competence of practitioners in an ALS-compliant manner is a potentially valuable skill to be acquired by physicians caring for the critically ill, regardless of the environment in which they work, or their level of seniority. This newly-developed blended learning periresuscitation echocardiography programme (FEEL) may serve as entry level in peri-resuscitation echocardiography for both emergency physicians and critical care practitioners.