Focused echocardiography entry level: new concept of a 1-day training course.
OBJECTIVE
We describe a training programme for non-specialists in focused echocardiography in the periresuscitation setting which represents an entry level in echocardiography training (FEEL) for emergency and critical care medicine physicians.


METHODS
A prospective observational study based upon the development of a periresuscitation echocardiography training programme developed for novice practitioners (N=15 courses).


RESULTS
The programme enables novice echocardiographers to be able to perform a focused echocardiogram in an ALS-compliant manner, and interpret the findings in the context of the clinical scenario. It is based on the concept of blended learning, incorporating a combination of e-learning, web-based teaching and reading selected literature, and attendance at a course. The course comprises 4-hours of theory and 4-hours of hands-on training.


CONCLUSIONS
Periresuscitation echocardiography, performed safely, within the competence of practitioners in an ALS-compliant manner is a potentially valuable skill to be acquired by physicians caring for the critically ill, regardless of the environment in which they work, or their level of seniority. This newly-developed blended learning periresuscitation echocardiography programme (FEEL) may serve as entry level in peri-resuscitation echocardiography for both emergency physicians and critical care practitioners.
Breitkreutz
R
R
Clinics of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, Hospital of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. raoul.breitkreutz@gmail.com
Uddin
S
S
Steiger
H
H
Ilper
H
H
Steche
M
M
Walcher
F
F
Via
G
G
Price
S
S
D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D003479:Curriculum; D004452:Echocardiography; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008170:Lung Compliance; D008348:Manikins; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013664:Teaching Materials