Imaging (Echocardiography) —
Training activity: 7

Details

Adapt protocol and report to cater for heart failure

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 different types and classifications of heart failure?
• How does the echocardiography protocol need to be adapted to assess parameters relevant to heart failure (e.g., ejection fraction, diastolic function)?
• What specific measurements and views are essential for evaluating heart failure?
• What key components should be included in the echo report when focusing on heart failure?

In action

• How are you modifying the standard echo protocol to assess for features of heart failure? Which specific views and measurements (e.g., ejection fraction, diastolic function parameters) are you focusing on? How are you planning to structure the report to detail the findings relevant to heart failure? Are you adjusting the protocol based on the initial images and clinical context? Are you deciding which parameters are most crucial to quantify and report? Are you familiar with the echocardiographic assessment of systolic and diastolic function? Are you consciously applying guidelines for measuring these parameters?

• Are you successfully acquiring the necessary images and measurements to assess heart failure? Are you encountering any difficulties in visualising or quantifying specific parameters? Are you gaining a better understanding of how heart failure affects cardiac structure and function as seen on echocardiography? Are you learning to identify key echocardiographic features of different types of heart failure? Are you applying your knowledge of heart failure pathophysiology and the role of echocardiography in its assessment?

• Are there additional imaging modalities or echocardiographic techniques (e.g., strain imaging) that might provide further information in this case? If you are unsure about the appropriate protocol adaptations or reporting of specific heart failure parameters, would you seek advice? Are the adaptations you are making and the reporting you are undertaking within the scope of your current training?

On action

• Describe the specific considerations for imaging a patient with heart failure. Outline how you adapted the standard echo protocol, including any specific views or measurements taken. Note the key features you focused on in the report relevant to heart failure.
• Reflect on your understanding of the echocardiographic assessment of heart failure. Did you gain a better understanding of the specific parameters used to evaluate heart failure? Were there any challenges in adapting the protocol or interpreting the findings? How does this relate to acquiring and interpreting cardiac images for pathological conditions?
• Identify any specific aspects of heart failure imaging where you need to enhance your knowledge of protocols and reporting. How will you approach adapting protocols for heart failure in the future? What resources will you use to further your understanding?

Beyond action

• Have you encountered various types and stages of heart failure that required adapting your echo protocol and reporting? Have your subsequent experiences broadened your understanding of the key echocardiographic features of heart failure?
• How has your ability to tailor echo protocols to assess different aspects of heart failure, such as systolic and diastolic function, improved? Are you now more proficient in including relevant parameters and observations in your reports for heart failure patients?
• How will this experience inform your approach to echocardiographic assessment in patients with heart failure and co-morbidities? How will your ability to generate comprehensive reports contribute to effective clinical management and follow-up of heart failure patients?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 1	Outcome Acquire and interpret cardiac images for a range of normal and pathological conditions.
# 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.