Key result
A 16-week TTE training program successfully equips 95 non-cardiologists to expand care in Kenya.
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A collaborative TTE training program for non-cardiologists in Kenya demonstrates a replicable task-sharing model to expand access to essential cardiac diagnostics in LMICs.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet access to echocardiography remains limited due to workforce shortages. The Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS), in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC), launched a 16-week transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) training program to address this gap. This blended learning initiative trains non-cardiologist healthcare workers through online modules, hands-on workshops, and expert mentorship. Since 2022, the program has trained 95 participants, enhancing diagnostic capacity and expanding echocardiography services to underserved areas. Early outcomes include reduced patient travel distances, improved early detection of cardiac conditions, and strengthened CVD management at secondary and tertiary levels. Challenges such as limited equipment access and financial constraints persist, but strategic partnerships and innovative training models demonstrate the program's potential for scalability. The KCS-ACC-TTE program highlights the effectiveness of task-sharing and collaboration in strengthening cardiovascular care, offering a replicable framework for LMICs to improve access to essential cardiac diagnostics.
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Muriuki et al. (2025) studied Cardiovascular diseases (n=95). 16-week transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) training program was evaluated. A 16-week transthoracic echocardiography training program in Kenya successfully trained 95 non-cardiologist healthcare workers, expanding diagnostic capacity to underserved areas.