Imaging (Echocardiography) —
Training activity: 14

Details

Discuss results of an adapted protocol for adult congenital heart disease with a patient/healthcare professional

Type

Developmental training activity (DTA)

Evidence requirements

Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.

Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.

An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.

Reflective practice guidance

The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.

Before action

• Before this activity, what are the key echocardiographic findings in simple adult congenital heart disease, and what do they indicate about the patient’s condition?
• How will you explain these findings and potential management options (e.g., ASD/PFO closure) to the patient?
• What information would be important to communicate to a cardiologist specialising in adult congenital heart disease?
• How will you address any questions or concerns the patient may have about their congenital condition?

In action

• How are you structuring the discussion? What key echocardiographic findings related to the congenital heart defect (e.g., size of ASD, presence of shunt, estimated pulmonary artery pressure) are you highlighting? How are you explaining the potential clinical significance of these findings and the implications for management? Who is your audience, and how is that influencing your communication? Are you tailoring your explanation based on the listener’s understanding of congenital heart disease? Are you deciding how to explain complex haemodynamic concepts in an accessible way? Are you comfortable discussing the echocardiographic findings of adult congenital heart disease? Are you consciously using appropriate terminology and adjusting your language for patients versus healthcare professionals?

• Do you feel you are effectively communicating the echocardiographic features and their clinical relevance? Are the questions being asked indicative of understanding? Are you observing effective strategies for explaining congenital heart defects to different audiences? Are you learning how to address concerns related to potential complications or the need for intervention? Are you drawing upon your understanding of adult congenital heart disease, related echocardiographic findings, and your communication skills?

• Could you use diagrams or models to illustrate the congenital defect? Are there patient support groups or resources you could direct them to? If questions arise about specific interventional or surgical options or long-term management that are beyond your current expertise, would you seek guidance? Are the explanations and discussions you are having appropriate for your level of training, particularly regarding complex management decisions in adult congenital heart disease?

On action

• Summarise the key echocardiographic findings related to the adult congenital heart disease from the adapted protocol. Describe how you communicated these results to the patient and/or healthcare professional. Note their reactions and any questions they had.
• Reflect on your ability to explain echocardiographic findings related to adult congenital heart disease to different audiences. Were you able to tailor your explanation appropriately? Were there any challenges in conveying the clinical significance of the findings? How does this relate to explaining imaging results?
• Identify any areas where you can improve your communication skills when discussing findings of adult congenital heart disease. How will you ensure you provide clear and relevant information to both patients and healthcare professionals in the future?

Beyond action

• Have you discussed echo findings in adults with simple congenital heart disease with patients and other healthcare professionals, considering the often long-standing nature of these conditions? Have you addressed any specific concerns related to their congenital heart defect?
• How has your ability to explain the significance of echocardiographic findings in adult congenital heart disease to both patients (who may have lived with the condition for many years) and other healthcare professionals improved? Are you more confident in discussing the implications for their current health and future management?
• How will your communication skills in this context support your role in the long-term care and potential interventional planning for adults with congenital heart disease? What did you learn about the importance of providing clear and age-appropriate information to these patients?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 2	Outcome Explain imaging results to patients and other health care professionals.
# 3	Outcome Distinguish and justify actions based on clinical and ECG findings.
# 5	Outcome Appraise new guidelines and evidence to inform practice.
# 6	Outcome Demonstrate safe practice in line with local, national and international guidelines and standards.
# 7	Outcome Assess and evaluate a patient’s clinical presentation and make recommendations for cardiac imaging.
# 8	Outcome Evaluate cardiac care pathways.
# 9	Outcome Summarise complex information into a concise and logical reports for specialist and non-specialist audiences.