Specialists from all over the world have been trained in advanced vascular ultrasound techniques through the tailored courses provided by Wessex Diagnostic, UK, for many decades. They enable medical specialists, including vascular scientists, sonographers, radiologists and vascular surgeons, to learn new techniques or develop their existing skills. For the last five years, Canon Medical Systems has equipped the courses with ultrasound systems. Providing delegates with access to state-of-the-art ultrasound technology has enhanced and inspired their learning experience. VISIONS spoke to some of the organizers, tutors, and attendees of the independent courses to find out more.

Answering unmet training needs
The first Wessex Diagnostic vascular ultrasound courses started in the 1980s as: “Blood vessel imaging using ultrasound techniques” in the UK and “Ultrasound Angiography” in Monaco, the latter was organized in conjunction with the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) and European Federation of Societies for ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). Wessex Diagnostic now organizes an annual program of vascular ultrasound courses.

“Wessex Diagnostic is a family-run academy. My father, Mr. Keith Humphries, Consultant Clinical Scientist, identified a need for targeted vascular skills development within the sector, at a time when there was nothing similar available,” explained Helen Humphries, Programme Director of Wessex Diagnostic. “The idea behind establishing Wessex Diagnostic was to ensure that there was a training course available that demonstrated the full potential of Doppler ultrasound techniques in arterial and venous disease and in doing so provide practical training of investigation protocols to optimize the diagnostic accuracy of these tests.”

They also provide on-site courses that are tailored to specific team requirements.

“Our target audiences are medical specialists wanting to learn ultrasound techniques or those wanting to develop their skills, particularly vascular scientists, sonographers, radiologists and vascular surgeons. We have a flexible structure and practical sessions allowing those of a similar skill set and level to learn together,” continued Helen. “For the last five years, the ultrasound systems for the practical workshops have been provided solely by Canon, which means we have a higher standard of equipment available for our delegates to learn their vascular skills. Canon provides the full range of ultrasound equipment up to the high-end comprehensive systems.”

Canon's contribution
Dianne Hanson, European Clinical Market Manager Ultrasound at Canon Medical Systems Europe, and Sally Davey, Ultrasound Product Manager at Canon Medical Systems UK, were instrumental in consolidating Canon's involvement in the courses five years ago. Both are trained sonographers with decades of experience at Canon, including specialist ultrasound applications expertise from previous roles.

Canon has, along with other ultrasound manufacturers, provided equipment in support of the Wessex Diagnostic courses, for many years. “Five years ago, we realized that both parties could benefit from a collaboration that would see us being the sole providers,” said Sally Davey.

“Vascular ultrasound is invariably undertaken in dedicated departments or as part of other clinical specialties, such as neurology and cardiology. Having spent time as clinical sonographers and application specialists in this field, we became familiar with what others require from their equipment – how they want it to perform, how to get the best imaging from it, and how further developments can support and enhance existing services.”

“We were also aware of the need for quality training, supported by practical experience in optimizing scanning techniques and manipulating image settings. An additional benefit is the feedback we receive, from the faculty delivering the training and the delegates receiving it.”

“During the two-day courses, Canon sponsors a dinner for the attendees and tutors. This social element allows people to share their experiences and working practices in a relaxed environment, which all helps with the, collaborative approach we envisaged from the start. With delegates from all over the UK, Europe and beyond it is the perfect opportunity to look outside our immediate workplaces!”

Each course is held with maximum 30 attendees to ensure a good delegate: faculty ratio that maximizes individual learning in the practical sessions.

Regarding the dinner for attendees and tutors, there is also a social element which is very important for cross talks, for example. It’s very collaborative in the end. The delegates come from all over Europe, and outside.

Access to renown expertise
Expert tutors on the course include Matthew Bartlett, Senior Clinical Vascular Scientist and Head of the Vascular Laboratory, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK, and Mr. Tim Hartshorne Clinical Vascular Scientist at the University Hospitals of Leicester, UK.

Matthew has over 17 years of experience in vascular ultrasound. In addition to teaching at Wessex Diagnostic, he lectures on Ultrasound Physics at City University London, and is actively involved with the UK’s Society of Vascular Technology Education Committee, providing national teaching and exam revision workshops to trainee scientists. Matthew is also heavily engaged in research, with an interest in complex hemodynamics and vascular remodeling in dialysis access fistulae.

Tim has worked for many years in the Vascular Studies Unit at University Hospitals of Leicester, and has more than 38 years’ of experience in vascular ultrasound. He is actively involved in teaching and training and more recently, have been supporting the National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme as their Professional Clinical Advisor. He has also co-authored a book on Vascular Ultrasound: How, Why and When (2023) and contributed to many other publications.

“I think the main value to the people that attend the course is that it’s not a “tick box and gain a certificate” type course,” remarked Matthew. “Delegates leave with a grounded understanding that they can take back to their workplace and learn how to improve and really use an ultrasound machine to the maximum, really get the most out of it and use it safely and appropriately.”

“From my experience, it's very useful to have one system on the course, rather than multiple different systems or a machine type, because it means participants can focus. It's very consistent from that point of view,” he added.

“In addition, we also cover reporting in the course,” said Matthew. “With guidance on how to report, and also when reporting can become ambiguous, or even unhelpful.”

“Having access to a number of different tutors and demonstrations on the course helps a lot to ensure that the delegates can get views and perspectives from three or four different experts in the field,” said Tim. “They then get the benefit of learning from a range of tips, tricks and techniques that the various experts use. And so that instead of just relying on one individual, they get the benefits of multiple demonstrators.”

“I think the course is also realistic in terms of what we demonstrate ultrasound can do, because we can discuss some of the areas of potential pitfalls and where errors can be made and how to avoid those, and also importantly perhaps limitations where maybe complementary imaging or alternative imaging may be required,” Tim added. “So I think it's very realistic, very practical. We have the scope to explain the essential functions and controls of the machine and there is the capacity to spend a bit of additional time with delegates who may need a little bit more support. The practical groups are organized according to experience level. We can tailor the demonstration and hands-on, to the level of skill and knowledge that the delegates have. That benefits everyone.”