Update on the Organizational Aspects of Echocardiography in Italy (From Operator Training to the Report: 2007-2019): A Consensus Document by the "Società Italiana di Ecocardiografia e CardioVascular Imaging" Accreditation Area and Board 2017-2019.

In 2007, Società Italiana di Ecocardiografia e CardioVascular Imaging (SIECVI) already SIEC, published the document on the organization of echocardiography in Italy. In the years following the technological evolution, cultural and health factors have changed "the way, we do echo" as a tool for the different clinical pathways. The SIECVI Accreditation Area and Board 2017-2019 considered necessary to review and update the document in the light of innovation in the application of ultrasound for the heart disease assessment. In the document, we have considered the role of SIECVI in multimodal imaging, the need of training and certification of operators, the quality of echo machines, the accreditation of laboratories, the compilation of the report and its responsibility, and the presence of the sonographers in the EchoLab.

Virtual Dissection by Ultrasound: Probe Handling in the First Year of Medical Education.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the educational plan of first-year students of medicine by analyzing their scores in ultrasound body scanning. METHODS: Since 2009, the San Paolo Medical School (Milan, Italy) has vertically integrated the study of anatomy with ultrasound-assisted virtual body dissection. Three modules were supplied: musculoskeletal system, heart and abdomen pelvis. 653 first-year students were trained. The students alternated as mutual model and operator. A skillfulness score was assigned to each student. The scores were consequently listed. Nonparametric exact multiple contrast tests were employed to determine relative group effects. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that: no gender-related differences were found (0:49; p=0.769); peer learners performed less well than peer tutors (0.677; p=0); between modules, scores in the musculoskeletal system (pMS=0.726) tend to be higher (p<0.001) than those obtained in the heart and abdomen pelvis (pH=0.398; pAP=0.375 p=0.270); significant differences were found compared to the beginning of the project's academic year. CONCLUSION: The students considered this didactic course an engaging and exciting approach. Acceptance of peer teaching was extraordinarily high. Autonomous exercitation allowed the students to improve self-criticism and enhance their own skills. The level of expertise obtained by peer tutors and by peer learners can be considered satisfactory. The main objective of training future physicians on personal stethoechoscope with the necessary competence seems to have been successfully started.