Training activity information
Details
Perform assessment of elastography to include imaging and non-imaging systems, report the finding and deliver appropriate advice to clinical users
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.
Considerations
- Selection of appropriate test equipment
- Limitations of commercial phantoms
- Choice of parameters for quantification
- Scanner hardware and system operation
- Impact on clinical application
- Communication with the multidisciplinary team
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
- Explore the different elastography techniques available on the ultrasound systems in your department (e.g., strain elastography, shear wave elastography) and the principles behind them. Understand the clinical applications of elastography in your specialty. What are the typical findings and their clinical significance?
- Consider the reporting protocols for elastography assessments and the appropriate way to communicate findings and advice to clinical colleagues.
- Consider the specific skills you hope to develop in performing elastography scans, interpreting the images and data, and formulating clinical advice.
- Think about what you already know about ultrasound imaging. How does elastography provide additional or different information?
- Anticipate learning about the challenges in performing and interpreting elastography, and how to ensure the accuracy and clinical relevance of your assessments.
- Discuss the specific cases or scenarios you will be involved in with your training officer or supervising sonographer. Review relevant literature and protocols on elastography techniques and their clinical applications.
- Consider how you will structure your report and how you will communicate your findings and advice clearly and effectively to clinical users.
- Identify how you feel about performing these advanced imaging techniques and communicating with clinical staff. Do you feel confident in your understanding of elastography?
In action
- How are you currently operating the elastography system (imaging or non-imaging)?
- What specific parameters are you adjusting to acquire the necessary data?
- How are you interpreting the elastography images or data being generated?
- What considerations are you taking into account as you formulate your findings?
- How are you structuring your communication as you prepare to deliver advice to clinical users?
- Are you obtaining the elastography information you need to make an assessment?
- What challenges are you facing in acquiring or interpreting the data?
- What are you learning about the practical application of elastography during this assessment?
- How does the information you are gathering relate to the potential clinical implications?
- If you are finding the data difficult to interpret, are there alternative imaging or analysis techniques you could try?
- What immediate clarification might you need from a senior colleague or the clinical user to guide your assessment and advice?
- Are you ensuring that your assessment and advice are within your current level of ability?
On action
- What were the key differences in the operation and interpretation of imaging and non-imaging elastography systems?
- What were the main features or findings you observed during the elastography assessments?
- How did you approach the task of reporting your findings and formulating advice for clinical users?
- What new knowledge or skills did you gain in performing and interpreting elastography assessments?
- Did you develop a better understanding of the clinical applications and limitations of elastography?
- What did you learn about effectively communicating technical findings to clinical users?
- How will this experience influence your future assessments and reporting of elastography findings?
- What areas for continued development have you identified in your understanding or application of elastography?
- What specific actions will you take to enhance your skills in this area?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to your routine practice?
Beyond action
- Have you had further opportunities to work with elastography systems or review elastography images since this training activity? Looking back at your initial interpretations and advice, and your reflect-on-action notes, has your understanding of elastography and its clinical applications deepened?
- Have you encountered elastography in different clinical contexts or on different types of equipment, and how did your initial experience inform your understanding?
- Has your experience with elastography influenced how you observe or interpret other ultrasound images, considering tissue stiffness as a potential indicator?
- Have you applied the communication skills learned in advising clinical users about elastography to other situations involving explaining technical information to non-technical colleagues?
- How has understanding the difference between imaging and non-imaging elastography informed your appreciation of the range of ultrasound techniques available?
- As elastography continues to evolve, how will your foundational experience in assessing these systems help you evaluate new developments and their potential clinical utility?
- What critical appraisal skills did you develop through assessing elastography that will be transferable to evaluating other new technologies in the future?
- In future training or mentorship roles, how might you draw upon your experience in explaining elastography to guide others?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Use ultrasound scanners, applying basic and advanced modality controls. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Interpret clinical ultrasound images. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Assess the performance and safety of ultrasound scanners used in common clinical applications, including advanced imaging techniques. |