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TEE Simulator Based Private One-On-One Training
The most effective and time efficient way to advance your transesophageal TEE and transthoracic TTE echocardiography skills.
The most effective and time efficient way to advance your transesophageal TEE and transthoracic TTE echocardiography skills.
“As a Cardiac Surgeon (right), I had long sensed the potential benefit of a fully-certified echocardiographic understanding, and what that might do to enhance my personal strategic management of today’s Open Heart Surgical Patient. I was fortunate to find Dr. Green, and after a rigorous, 5-day, one-on-one, hands-on stint, I look at the TEE in a much more sophisticated manner. This has evidenced itself clinically not only in the planning/assessment of valve cases, but also in virtually every sick coronary patient. I plan on taking the Testamur examination next year and look forward to being one of the few Cardiac Surgeons in the country with this qualification. Dr. Green is a superb and patient teacher with multiple decades of experience. Time with him is a period of mentorship unequalled by any such training I have undertaken since my Fellowship at Emory. I plan on coming back for another week next spring. Don’t miss this opportunity !!”
Robert H. Messier, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
McLeod Hospital Systems, South Carolina
"Dr. Green, I am excited to report to you my NBE results. I passed the Advanced PTEeXAM. It is such a relief to pass this milestone. Thank you again for your efforts to drive home the most important points during my training. Best regards,"
Yuriy Minkevych, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology
Tampa General Hospital
"Hi Dr. Green. I got my PTE Exam result. I passed! Thanks for all your help and encouragement."
Laura McNeill, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology
St. Clair Hospital
Bethal Park, Pennsylvania
While echocardiography has become incorporated into most postgraduate training programs, instruction for practicing physicians remains problematic. Over the past five years we have optimized our training program so practicing physicians can rapidly advance their knowledge base and skill sets to match their particular clinical demands.
A TEE Simulator combined with continuous oversight by a dedicated National Board of Echocardiography Diplomate and Fellow of the American Society of Echocardiography instructor, recreates the fellowship training experience in an accelerated manner. The efficiency of private training surpasses virtually all transesophageal echocardiography group learning experiences.
Although Echocardiography is an invaluable asset, various obstacles make image interpretation and probe manipulation challenging skills to acquire. Instruction in image interpretation is not effectively achieved in group courses. Inevitable group disparities in knowledge and learning styles diminishes the learning experience for the individual participant. Probe manipulation skills cannot be acquired merely by observation or limited periods of probe operation in small group courses. Obtaining instruction from skilled colleagues or inter-departmental staff members is usually sporadic or not feasible.
Free of the usual distractions found in an acute care setting, the private atmosphere in the simulation laboratory allows the trainee to acquire probe manipulation and image interpretation skills at their own pace. Limiting attendance to a single participant allows continuous instructor-trainee interaction and maximizes hands-on probe manipulation time appropriate to your current skill level. Private mentoring combined with high fidelity simulation creates knowledge acquisition rates and probe manipulation skills which actually supersede the clinical setting.
The Heartworks Simulator has the detail, accuracy, and feel of a real exam. The probe has the complete constellation of controls as found on real probes. The simulator creates highly realistic 2D echocardiography ultrasound images along with the simultaneous corresponding 3D virtual-anatomy model. It elegantly models both normal and pathological blood flow characteristics, allowing the application of extremely realistic PW Doppler, CW Doppler, and Color Doppler analysis.
The simulator's touch screen interface recreates a real machine console. After demonstrating proficiency on the simulator, attendees will transition to the console of the Philips 2D/3D ultrasound machine. Instruction includes in-depth explanations of the entire array of machine functions, including measurement and analysis functions. Real machine operation skills are practiced using our Philips 2D/3D TEE and TTE probes in conjunction with our CAE cardiac ultrasound phantom.
The simulator measurement package allows the attendee to practice the full array of 2D, spectral Doppler, and Color Doppler measurements in both normal and pathological states. These skills are then applied to real images from our collection of acquired images using both the Philips Q-lab and GE Echo Pac platforms at the laboratory work station . Advanced training in Strain Analysis, TAVR Sizing, Mitral Valve Quantification, Watchman Measurement, and 3D image manipulation are fully available.
The current American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines serve as source material for instruction. Focus is placed on reviewing the content lists of the National Board of Echocardiography exams specific to your particular specialty. Attendees are strongly encouraged to complete the Basic PTeXAM, Advanced PTEeXAM, ASCeXAM, or the new CCEeXAM.
Following familiarization with the normal exam sequence, the attendee is presented with a full series of unknowns, representing common pathological states as typically encountered in a usual adult practice. The attendee is guided through each comprehensive exam, ultimately making the correct diagnosis and grading the severity using quantitative criteria.
Upon request each attendee will receive a personalized letter describing the specific details of his or her training sessions. The letter will be signed by the physician director and emailed to you in PDF format. This evaluation will be suitable for presentation to your respective clinical and administrative departments.