BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is the commonest form of non-invasive cardiac imaging but due to its methodology, it is operator dependent. Numerous advances in technology have resulted in the development of interactive programs and simulators to teach trainees the skills to perform particular procedures, including transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: Forty trainee sonographers assessed a computerised mannequin echocardiographic simulator and were taught how to obtain an apical two-chamber (A2C) view and image the superior vena cava (SVC). Forty-two attendees at a TOE simulator workshop assessed its utility and commented on perceived future use, using defined criteria. RESULTS: One hundred percent and 88% of sonographers found the simulator useful in obtaining the SVC or A2C view respectively. All users found it easy to use and the majority found it helped with image acquisition and interpretation. Attendees of the TOE training day assessed the simulator with 100% finding it easy to use, as well as the augmented reality graphics benefiting image acquisition. Ninety percent felt that it was realistic. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that both trainee sonographers and TOE proceduralists found the simulation process was realistic, helped in image acquisition and improved assessment of spatial relationships. Echocardiographic simulators may play an important role in the future training of echocardiographic skills. Crown
BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is the commonest form of non-invasive cardiac imaging but due to its methodology, it is operator dependent. Numerous advances in technology have resulted in the development of interactive programs and simulators to teach trainees the skills to perform particular procedures, including transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: Forty trainee sonographers assessed a computerised mannequin echocardiographic simulator and were taught how to obtain an apical two-chamber (A2C) view and image the superior vena cava (SVC). Forty-two attendees at a TOE simulator workshop assessed its utility and commented on perceived future use, using defined criteria. RESULTS: One hundred percent and 88% of sonographers found the simulator useful in obtaining the SVC or A2C view respectively. All users found it easy to use and the majority found it helped with image acquisition and interpretation. Attendees of the TOE training day assessed the simulator with 100% finding it easy to use, as well as the augmented reality graphics benefiting image acquisition. Ninety percent felt that it was realistic. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that both trainee sonographers and TOE proceduralists found the simulation process was realistic, helped in image acquisition and improved assessment of spatial relationships. Echocardiographic simulators may play an important role in the future training of echocardiographic skills. Crown
Authors: Philippe Vignon; Benjamin Pegot; François Dalmay; Vanessa Jean-Michel; Simon Bocher; Erwan L'her; Jérôme Cros; Gwenaël Prat Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2018-06-21 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Gwénaël Prat; Cyril Charron; Xavier Repesse; Pierre Coriat; Pierre Bailly; Erwan L'her; Antoine Vieillard-Baron Journal: Ann Intensive Care Date: 2016-04-07 Impact factor: 6.925
Authors: Mario Montealegre-Gallegos; Feroze Mahmood; Han Kim; Remco Bergman; John D Mitchell; Ruma Bose; Katie M Hawthorne; T David O'Halloran; Vanessa Wong; Philip E Hess; Robina Matyal Journal: Ann Card Anaesth Date: 2016 Apr-Jun
Authors: Daniel P Walsh; Kadhiresan R Murugappan; Achikam Oren-Grinberg; Vanessa T Wong; John D Mitchell; Robina Matyal Journal: Echo Res Pract Date: 2020-02-17