Echocardiography training for the intensivist

The value of echocardiography in the critically ill patient is well established, yet applying the modality to patients who could benefit presents considerable logistical challenges. Central is a lack of readily available, trained operators. Although many intensive care specialists and trainees are keen to fill this gap, there are numerous hurdles to obtaining the necessary training. To address this problem, the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society has set up a Committee on Echocardiography Training and Certification for Intensivists. The Committee proposes a formal training and assessment program. This would not only provide guidance to intensivists wishing to learn echocardiography, but also clearly set out acceptable levels of expertise. It is important that, after training, intensivists can be readily credentialed in their home institutions. The intensive care community needs to determine the vehicle for training and credentialling in echocardiography. This could be achieved solely by bodies representing intensive care or in collaboration with the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine.