RMH-Critical Care Echocardiography Course (TTE) May-July 2018
This highly successful course aims to help participants achieve competence in performing and interpreting transthoracic echocardiography in the critical care setting. With about 6 weeks of preparation using the outstanding University of Melbourne Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) Simulator Course, that culminates in a two-day intensive workshop on 9-10 July 2018 led by Intensivists and Anaesthetists, we hope that essential skills will be retained for longer than traditional short courses allow.
Learning is made up of two components:
1. Preparation- online and using the TTE simulator – from mid-May 2018
First, participants will take part in The University of Melbourne simulator course. Starting in mid May 2018, participants will independently work through about 20 hours of online material, developing basic knowledge about transthoracic echocardiography interpretation.
Having completed the online preparation preparation independently, participants will then take part in one 3-hour session in early June (two dates will be proposed) orientating them to use of the RMH TTE simulator, and showing them the basics of TTE image acquisition. They then have one month to complete 10 independent simulator studies, to develop their scanning skills. These studies can be completed at a time that suits participants during office hours over the following weeks (about 10 hours of scanning).
2. Clinical ICU Workshop – 9-10 July 2018
The clinical workshop held in the RMH Intensive Care Unit on Monday-Tuesday 9-10 July 2018 translates this knowledge to the critical care setting. A combination of short, interactive talks and practical sessions will focus on improving technical skills and interpretation.
Topics covered will include image optimisation techniques, LV function and cardiac output assessment, assessing valvular stenosis and regurgitation, right ventricular function, pulmonary hypertension, an approach to the shocked patient, and complexities of echocardiography in the ICU setting. To finish, partipicants will scan several patients in the RMH ICU in small groups. About 8-10 hours of scanning time will take place over the 2 days.
The faculty consists of 4 Intensivists with a particular interest in echocardiography, 2 cardiac anaesthetists, and a senior echocardiographer.
This course is ideal for those working and training in Intensive Care, Anaesthetics and Emergency.
It is accredited by the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) for college training.