Level of competence for physician echocardiographer

[cardio]

Hi information,
I have been told there are different levels of competence for the echo-cardiographer indicating the type of tests they can perform; can you direct me to more information?
Or is the level of competence also associated with who can read the images?

Thanks
WF from BC

[cardio]

Thank you for your question. You have three levels of echocardiographer from a physician point of view.
The level of training and requirements are outlined in a CSE document: "Guidelines For The Provision Of Echocardiography In Canada (2004)" on page 13.

http://www.csecho.ca/pdf/2004_Echo_Standards.pdf

Section 4: The Physician
Physician roles with respect to echocardiography include:
• Interpretation of examinations
• Supervision of procedures and policies of the laboratory
• Support, training and continuing education of sonographers and medical trainees
• Ability to perform a complete transthoracic examination
• Performance of transesophageal studies

The ability to carry out these roles requires a level of knowledge and training beyond that provided by basic physician training or specialty certification. It is therefore mandatory that additional training and ongoing education take place. Physician involvement in echocardiography can vary according to specific needs and circumstances. Consequently not all of the above roles may be required of all physicians involved in this field. For this reason, a variety of levels of training are described:

Level 1: Basic training involving familiarity with image acquisition, indications and recognition of basic pathology. This is currently provided as a component of basic cardiology specialty training, recognizing the importance of echocardiography in the practice of cardiology and the advanced level of understanding therefore required. It does not imply the ability to independently interpret studies.

Level 2: Training sufficient to independently perform and interpret adult transthoracic echocardiograms, and supervise sonographers. At this level, the physician must be familiar with the physical principles of ultrasound, the operation of diagnostic instruments, and the bioeffects of ultrasound. Specific training for transesophageal and stress studies is required as an additional, independent component.

Level 3: An advanced level of training that builds on that required for Level 2 training and enables interpretation and performance of all adult studies (including transesophageal and stress echocardiography), training and supervision of physician trainees and sonographers, and supervision of all aspects of echocardiographic laboratory.

Hope this helps.

Yours,

Chi-Ming Chow MDCM MSc FRCPC FACC FASE
Web Master, Canadian Society of Echocardiography
www.csecho.ca