UBC Postgraduate Program in Cardiology
Goals and Objectives, Echocardiography
July 1, 2013
Roles
Medical
Expert/Clinical
Decision
Maker
Objectives
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Learn the indications for,
strengths and
weaknesses of transthoracic
echocardiography.
Learn the indications for,
strengths and
weaknesses of transesophageal
echocardiography.
Learn the utility and
limitations of Doppler
echocardiography.
Develop the technical
skills to perform a
standard M-mode
echocardiogram.
Develop the technical
skills to perform a
standard 2D
echocardiogram.
Develop the technical
skills to perform a
standard Doppler
echocardiogram.
Learn normal ECHO
anatomy on each of the
ECHO modes.
Learn to recognize
abnormal ECHO
morphology and ECHO
patterns.
Learn the indications for,
strengths, limitations and
potential complications
from more advanced
ECHO techniques such
as, Exercise Stress
ECHO, Dobutamine
Stress ECHO (DSE),
Trans-esophageal ECHO
Strategies
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Discuss the
expectations and
responsibilities of the
Trainee in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory with the
supervising Attending
Cardiologist, including
the referral and
scheduling process
and orientation to the
equipment, logbook
and the mechanism
used to document
services.
Take an entry
evaluation to identify
learning needs.
Observation,
questioning and
hands on instruction
from sonographers
and Attending
Echocardiographers
to develop technical
skills in M-mode, 2D
and Doppler echo.
Discuss indications,
strengths and
weakness of each
echo modality with
sonographers during
studies and with
Attending
Echocardiographers
during daily
interpretation
sessions and weekly
ECHO Rounds.
Attend ECHO
teaching and
interpretation
UBC Postgraduate Program in Cardiology
Goals and Objectives, Echocardiography
July 1, 2013
Medical
Expert/Clinical
Decision
Maker
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(TEE) and Contrast
ECHO.
Understand the impact of
echocardiography on
patient assessment and
management.
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sessions for
discussion and
instruction regarding
the M-mode, 2D and
Doppler features of
normal and abnormal
cardiac anatomy
including left
ventricular systolic
and diastolic
dysfunction,
cardiomyopathies,
pulmonary
hypertension, valvular
regurgitation and
stenosis, prosthetic
valves, pericardial
disease, intracardiac
masses and thrombus
and common
congenital cardiac
anomalies.
Attend and observe
more advanced
ECHO studies
including Treadmill
Stress ECHO,
Dobutamine Stress
ECHO,
Transesophageal
ECHO, Contrast
ECHO and
Intraoperative ECHO.
Discuss indications,
strengths and
weaknesses of more
advanced ECHO
techniques with
Attending
Echocardiographers
and at ECHO
Rounds.
Correlate ECHO
UBC Postgraduate Program in Cardiology
Goals and Objectives, Echocardiography
July 1, 2013
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Communicator
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Collaborator
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To be able to obtain
appropriate information
from the patient and/or
family relevant to the
performance of a
planned ECHO study.
To be able to describe
the indications, rationale,
conduct and possible
outcomes, including
potential complications of
the planned advanced
ECHO studies (TEE,
exercise stress ECHO,
DSE) to the patient and
family and to ask for
informed consent for the
procedure.
Learn to write a
preliminary ECHO report.
Learn to discuss report
of ECHO studies with
patients, family and
referring physicians,
including an assessment
of the significance of the
findings when
appropriate.
Learn to work
cooperatively with other
Health Care
Professionals who are
involved in the care of
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findings with other
imaging modalities
whenever possible.
Study appropriate
references and/or do
literature searches to
become familiar with
the basic science and
clinical aspects of
Echocardiography.
Enters the ECHO
report into the
Hospital’s Patient
Care System (PCS)
during interpretation
sessions under the
supervision of the
Attending
Echocardiographer.
When appropriate
communicates the
result of an ECHO
study verbally to the
Referring Physician
and/or House-Staff
Team.
When appropriate,
discusses the findings
of an ECHO study
with the patient and
family.
Respect the roles of
all members of the
Health Care Team in
the Echocardiography
Laboratory.
UBC Postgraduate Program in Cardiology
Goals and Objectives, Echocardiography
July 1, 2013
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Manager
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Health
Advocate
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patients in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory.
Learn to work
cooperatively with the
staff in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory to facilitate
appropriate and efficient
patient care.
Learn the cost
effectiveness of the
various procedures
performed in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory.
Learn to manage the
Echocardiography
Laboratory resources
effectively and efficiently.
To gain an
understanding of waiting
lists for various types of
echocardiographic
studies.
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Seek consultation
from other members
of the Health Care
Team in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory when
appropriate.
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Review literature and
/or discuss with the
Attending Cardiologist
in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory regarding
the cost effectiveness
of procedures to be
done in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory.
Review and help
prioritize the inpatient
list of patients referred
for ECHO studies.
Learn strategies to
effectively educate
patients who have
cardiac pathology and
their families regarding
the pathophysiology of
the patient’s illness and
the importance of
compliance and the
potential for future risk.
Learn strategies to
educate patients and
their families regarding
healthy cardiac
behaviors.
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Initiate discussion or
be available for
patients and their
families to discuss the
patient’s illness with
regards to
pathophysiology of
their disease and the
importance of
compliance to the
prescribed regimen as
it relates to their
procedure in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory.
Initiate or be available
to discuss with
UBC Postgraduate Program in Cardiology
Goals and Objectives, Echocardiography
July 1, 2013
Scholar
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Professional
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Enhance knowledge
base regarding a variety
of cardiac conditions
seen in the
Echocardiology
Laboratory.
Develop a strategy for
literature review/search
for a variety of cardiac
conditions seen in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory.
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To deliver care of the
highest quality with
integrity, honesty and
compassion.
To learn the ethical, legal
and professional
obligations in the context
of patient management
in the Echocardiography
Laboratory.
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patients and their
families regarding
healthy cardiac
behaviors as
appropriate.
Establish and
maintain reference
resources including
textbooks, journals
and internet (e.g.
Medline) relevant to
the care of patients
undergoing ECHO
studies.
Establish and adhere
to a study program as
it relates to the care of
patient undergoing
ECHO studies.
Maintain professional
relationships with all
members of the
Health Care team.
When appropriate
seek advice and
assistance.
Present and discuss
case/s seen in the
Echocardiography
Laboratory at
Cardiology Rounds
with a focus on the
legal or ethical
aspects of the case.