This talk provides an overview of how transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and computed tomography (CT) differ in assessing aortic size and morphology. It highlights key anatomical considerations, the importance of consistent measurement techniques, and the influence of current guideline recommendations. The session outlines when each imaging modality offers advantages—TTE as an accessible first‑line tool, and CT for comprehensive anatomical assessment. Broad clinical concepts such as dilation thresholds, indexing methods, and factors that lead to measurement variability are introduced.

This panel discussion will explore contemporary approaches to clinical supervision, mentorship, and training within cardiac ultrasound, with particular focus on challenges of high-pressure clinical environments.
Drawing on the perspectives of sonographers, cardiologists, and educators, the panel will examine what makes supervision effective under competing clinical demands, and how mentorship models can be fostered across professional groups to support growth, collaboration and workforce sustainability. The discussion will address numerous topics and barriers involved in clinical supervision and also consider the gap between clinical guidelines and real-world practice. This session aims to provide practical insights and reflective engaging discussion for those involved with cardiac imaging and education.

This panel discussion will explore contemporary approaches to clinical supervision, mentorship, and training within cardiac ultrasound, with particular focus on challenges of high-pressure clinical environments.
Drawing on the perspectives of sonographers, cardiologists, and educators, the panel will examine what makes supervision effective under competing clinical demands, and how mentorship models can be fostered across professional groups to support growth, collaboration and workforce sustainability. The discussion will address numerous topics and barriers involved in clinical supervision and also consider the gap between clinical guidelines and real-world practice. This session aims to provide practical insights and reflective engaging discussion for those involved with cardiac imaging and education.

This panel discussion will explore contemporary approaches to clinical supervision, mentorship, and training within cardiac ultrasound, with particular focus on challenges of high-pressure clinical environments.
Drawing on the perspectives of sonographers, cardiologists, and educators, the panel will examine what makes supervision effective under competing clinical demands, and how mentorship models can be fostered across professional groups to support growth, collaboration and workforce sustainability. The discussion will address numerous topics and barriers involved in clinical supervision and also consider the gap between clinical guidelines and real-world practice. This session aims to provide practical insights and reflective engaging discussion for those involved with cardiac imaging and education.

This panel discussion will explore contemporary approaches to clinical supervision, mentorship, and training within cardiac ultrasound, with particular focus on challenges of high-pressure clinical environments.
Drawing on the perspectives of sonographers, cardiologists, and educators, the panel will examine what makes supervision effective under competing clinical demands, and how mentorship models can be fostered across professional groups to support growth, collaboration and workforce sustainability. The discussion will address numerous topics and barriers involved in clinical supervision and also consider the gap between clinical guidelines and real-world practice. This session aims to provide practical insights and reflective engaging discussion for those involved with cardiac imaging and education.

This panel discussion will explore contemporary approaches to clinical supervision, mentorship, and training within cardiac ultrasound, with particular focus on challenges of high-pressure clinical environments.
Drawing on the perspectives of sonographers, cardiologists, and educators, the panel will examine what makes supervision effective under competing clinical demands, and how mentorship models can be fostered across professional groups to support growth, collaboration and workforce sustainability. The discussion will address numerous topics and barriers involved in clinical supervision and also consider the gap between clinical guidelines and real-world practice. This session aims to provide practical insights and reflective engaging discussion for those involved with cardiac imaging and education.

Introduction:Traditional cardiac sonography training often requires novices to learn image acquisition and optimisation simultaneously, which may increase cognitive load and limit skill development. A Four Component Instructional Design (4C/ID) model offers a scaffolded alternative by dividing learning into manageable components. This study tested 4C/ID against traditional training in novice learners. Method: A quantitative controlled study was conducted of 48 medical students without ultrasound experience: 30 Year 1-2 students and 18 Year 3-4 students. Participants received traditional or 4C/ID training and were stratified by Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotations Test (MRT) score. The primary outcome was image acquisition and optimisation performance; secondary outcomes were measurement accuracy, task efficiency, MRT influence and learner stage. Results: Across all participants, 4C/ID had no significant effect on acquisition time or overall optimisation, and performance was not influenced by MRT score. Differences were primarily driven by learner stage: acquisition in Year 1–2 students was slower than Year 3–4, regardless of method (see figure). In Year 3–4 students, 4C/ID produced acquisition times comparable to traditional training and improved performance in specific optimisation domains, particularly parasternal short-axis image optimisation. In contrast, Year 1–2 students showed no measurable benefit from 4C/ID. Conclusion: While overall performance did not improve with 4C/ID relative to traditional training, there were context dependent effects: in senior learners 4C/ID improved specific learning components. Our findings indicate that a scaffolded model may be most effectively applied to sonography learners with more established foundational competencies.

This panel brings together sonographers and cardiologist in cardiac imaging to explore how collaboration, technology and communication shape modern echocardiography. Although both professions work toward the same goal- seeing the heart clearly and caring for their patients effectively, their perspectives, workflows and challenges can differ. This discussion aims to close that gap.
A special focus will be placed on POCUS and its growing use, benefits in remote and resource limited settings and if POCUS can act as a bridge to care or introduces new layers of complexity.
Miscommunication between sonographers and cardiologists can lead to inefficiencies, frustrations and even diagnostic delays. This discussion will explore practical strategies for improving shared terminology, reporting clarity, with a goal to highlight how stronger communication fosters trust, enhances training and improves patient care.
With AI rapidly entering the echocardiography workflow, from automated measurements to decision support tools. This panel will debate whether AI will streamline workloads and reduce variability or whether it risks overshadowing the nuanced expertise of trained sonographers and cardiologists.

This panel brings together sonographers and cardiologist in cardiac imaging to explore how collaboration, technology and communication shape modern echocardiography. Although both professions work toward the same goal- seeing the heart clearly and caring for their patients effectively, their perspectives, workflows and challenges can differ. This discussion aims to close that gap.
A special focus will be placed on POCUS and its growing use, benefits in remote and resource limited settings and if POCUS can act as a bridge to care or introduces new layers of complexity.
Miscommunication between sonographers and cardiologists can lead to inefficiencies, frustrations and even diagnostic delays. This discussion will explore practical strategies for improving shared terminology, reporting clarity, with a goal to highlight how stronger communication fosters trust, enhances training and improves patient care.
With AI rapidly entering the echocardiography workflow, from automated measurements to decision support tools. This panel will debate whether AI will streamline workloads and reduce variability or whether it risks overshadowing the nuanced expertise of trained sonographers and cardiologists.

This panel brings together sonographers and cardiologist in cardiac imaging to explore how collaboration, technology and communication shape modern echocardiography. Although both professions work toward the same goal- seeing the heart clearly and caring for their patients effectively, their perspectives, workflows and challenges can differ. This discussion aims to close that gap.
A special focus will be placed on POCUS and its growing use, benefits in remote and resource limited settings and if POCUS can act as a bridge to care or introduces new layers of complexity.
Miscommunication between sonographers and cardiologists can lead to inefficiencies, frustrations and even diagnostic delays. This discussion will explore practical strategies for improving shared terminology, reporting clarity, with a goal to highlight how stronger communication fosters trust, enhances training and improves patient care.
With AI rapidly entering the echocardiography workflow, from automated measurements to decision support tools. This panel will debate whether AI will streamline workloads and reduce variability or whether it risks overshadowing the nuanced expertise of trained sonographers and cardiologists.

This panel brings together sonographers and cardiologist in cardiac imaging to explore how collaboration, technology and communication shape modern echocardiography. Although both professions work toward the same goal- seeing the heart clearly and caring for their patients effectively, their perspectives, workflows and challenges can differ. This discussion aims to close that gap.
A special focus will be placed on POCUS and its growing use, benefits in remote and resource limited settings and if POCUS can act as a bridge to care or introduces new layers of complexity.
Miscommunication between sonographers and cardiologists can lead to inefficiencies, frustrations and even diagnostic delays. This discussion will explore practical strategies for improving shared terminology, reporting clarity, with a goal to highlight how stronger communication fosters trust, enhances training and improves patient care.
With AI rapidly entering the echocardiography workflow, from automated measurements to decision support tools. This panel will debate whether AI will streamline workloads and reduce variability or whether it risks overshadowing the nuanced expertise of trained sonographers and cardiologists.