Critical Care Echocardiography Course (TTE) Sep-Nov 2024

This highly successful course aims to help participants achieve competence in performing and interpreting transthoracic echocardiography in the critical care setting.

With 6-8 weeks of preparation using online learning, a guided-simulation session, then self-directed simulator case studies, and culminating in a two-day intensive workshop on 14-15 November 2024 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 three components:

1. Preparation- online - from mid Sep 2024

First, participants will work through online material to develop theoretical knowledge and skills interpreting TTE clips. There are about 15 hours of material to work through here.

2. Using the TTE simulator - 14/15 October group session (simulator introduction session), then self-directed simulator scanning for one month

Having completed the online preparation preparation, participants will then take part in one 2.5-hour session in October 2024, orientating them to use of the TTE simulator, and showing them the basics of TTE image acquisition.

Three small-group sessions will be offered for this: one afternoon session on Mon 14 Oct (2-4:30pm), and one morning session (9-11:30am) and one afternoon session (2-4:30pm) on Tuesday 15 October. You need to attend one of these. If you can't, please contact the event organiser (details below) to explore options, in case we can find a solution.

After orientation to the simulator, participants then have one month to complete 10 independent simulator studies, to develop their scanning skills before the November workshop. These studies can be completed at a time that suits participants during office hours only (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, excluding public holidays) over the following weeks (about 10 hours of scanning).

*** Please note that if your commitments are such that you are unable to find about 10 hours during office hours (Mon-Fri 8am -5pm) to do the simulator studies in your own time, then you will not benefit from this essential part of the course. ***

3. Clinical ICU Workshop - Thurs 14 and Fri 15 November 2024

The clinical workshop held in the RMH Intensive Care Unit on Thurs 14 and Fri 15 November 2024 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, participants 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 5 Intensivists with a particular interest in echocardiography, 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.

Note that there is a 20% discount for residents and registrars from RMH and St Vincent's Hospital (enter code RMHSTV).

If you have missed out on enrolment, fear not: we run the course three times a year.

Please search Eventbrite or email james.anstey@mh.org.au for details of future courses.

Previous course feedback

"I loved the structure and gradual learning, felt it all come together by the end, going from very little experience at the start." (ICU registrar, Nov 2022)

"Really fantastic course- would definitely recommend and appreciate the time and energy that goes toward it- thank you!" (Anaesthetics registrar, Nov 2022)

"Extremely satisfied overall and feeling ready to echo!" (ICU registrar, Nov 2022)

"This course was really on point, and genuinely one of the best courses I've done in any discipline." (ED registrar, Nov 2022)

"Very, very excellent course" (Registrar, Cardiac surgery, March 2022)

"Loved the simulation, incredible instructor to student ratios, and structure that allowed for progressive development of skills over several months." (ICU registrar, June 2021)

"Invaluable experience- loved scanning ICU patients at the end, to understand the realistic images that can be achieved as well as the difficulties." (ICU registrar, March 2023)

FAQs

What if I'm not sure if I can make the 2-hour "Introduction to the Simulator" session in October?

Attending this session during the week starting is vital to the course.

Three sessions will be offered- one afternoon session on Mon 14 October, and two sessions on Tuesday 15 October (one morning, one afternoon).

This will orientate participants to use of the TTE simulator, and show them the basics of TTE image acquisition.

This is a very important part of the work-up to the course- you'll learn scanning techniques, the basic sequence, and how to do case studies.

Attendance at only one session on these dates is needed to get the most out of the course.

If you think you can't manage to make one of these three sessions, please contact the organiser before booking. We may be able to find some solution.

If I'm from interstate or overseas, is taking part in this course possible?

We have had previous motivated candidates from interstate or overseas who have managed to do the course very successfully, but this just takes some organisation to allow the simulator practice.

What do I need to know about training on the simulator?

This is a great way to practice skills at your own pace, and hard-wire the sequence.

Access to the simulator is only from Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, excluding public holidays. Please note that you will need to be able to find time to do three or four independent 2 hour sessions during office hours in the month preceding the workshop to increase your skills (about 8-10 hours). If your work commitments won't allow this, you will not get as much out of the course.

What's the refund policy in the event of inability to attend or cancellation of the workshop?

- Cancellation by the participant more than 2 months from the workshop will receive a full discount, minus booking fees of approx 10%.

- Cancellation by the participant between 1-2 months from the workshop will receive a 50% refund.

- Cancellation by the participant within 1 month of the workshop will receive a 25% refund.

Cancellation of the event by the organisers will lead to a full refund of all fees.

What level of TTE knowledge is needed?

This course assumes no knowledge of TTE. However, many of our previous participants have been reasonably experienced in TTE, but benefited from a more structured approach to image acquisition, and found that the simulator and practical workshop improved their skills and confidence significantly.

Will there be other RMH Critical Care TTE Courses in 2024?

We generally run the course three times a year.

(In 2024: March, August, November)- please see Eventbrite for other course details.

If you miss out, please add your name to the waitlist, or follow us on Eventbrite, and we'll let you know about future courses.

Please notify the organiser if you have questions.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Please email james.anstey@mh.org.au