New Training Statement Sets Level III Echocardiography Skills for the First Time

A new advanced training statement from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the American Society of Echocardiography sets for the first time the requirements for training for performing procedures Advanced echocardiography or "level III".

Echocardiography or Cardiovascular Ultrasound is an important diagnostic imaging technique used to evaluate cardiac anatomy and function and to help guide many treatments for heart disease. Proper training is important to ensure positive clinical outcomes and patient safety.

Three levels of echocardiography training have long been recognized, but this is the first time that a Level III training in echocardiography is formally defined. Level III training represents the highest level of knowledge, experience, skill and behavior in a given field.

"All cardiologists should have a basic understanding of echocardiographic techniques – their strengths, their limitations and their appropriate use," said Susan E. Wiegers, MD, professor of medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Dean badociated with faculty and president. of the drafting committee. "While it is expected that most, if not all, fellows will acquire Level II echocardiography during their three years of general cardiology training, this paper describes the more extensive experience and more thorough required for Level III. "

This document complements the 2015 VAC Basic Cardiovascular Training Statement (COCATS 4), which defines the training requirements for all clinical cardiologists. An accumulated nine-month echocardiography training is usually required to gain the level of experience necessary to acquire Level III proficiency. However, the determination of the level III level of knowledge and competency will ultimately be badessed against the competencies identified in this training statement.

The document describes the duration of the training, the types of disorders that should be examined, the number of different procedures generally required for the skill, as well as the knowledge base and skills required to be an experienced echocardiograph. It recognizes that the number of procedures needed to reach the skills may vary from one individual to the next and that advanced echocardiographers must be trained and trained in a structured clinical learning environment, usually in the part of an official cardiology fellowship program. This training statement describes the resources typically required in these training programs and includes the requirements for accreditation of echocardiography laboratories and faculty guidelines.

The editorial board recognizes that the indications, technology and capabilities of cardiac ultrasound are continually advancing. The skills defined in this document provide the experienced echocardiographer with the knowledge to acquire new skills as they emerge.

"The use of cardiovascular ultrasound is a key element in the care of many inpatient and ambulatory patients, as well as to guide interventional cardiac interventions in the catheterization laboratory and in the operating room" said Wiegers. "It's important to define what is needed to become a Level III echocardiograph."

Provided by
American College of Cardiology