Abstract: Objective To investigate the need , methods and effects of perioperative point-of-care transthoracic echocardiography (POC-TTE) education for anesthesiologists.Methods In 2013, forty anesthetic attendings of Pecking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) had two rounds of TTE training. In the following year, six anesthetic attendings from PUMCH experienced in intraoperative transesophageal (TEE) were trained by cardiologists as TTE instructors. In 2015, we conducted a survey about basic TTE education prevalence and need. Based on the results of the survey, POC-TTE workshops were hosted from 2015 to 2017. The didactic lecture, simulation practice, as well as hypotension differential diagnosis were included in those workshops. Different teaching methods were tested for their effectiveness. Results A total of 95 surveys were collected. Fifteen (15.8%) participants reported their hospital had the resources for perioperative POC-TTE exams; fourteen (14.7%) reported basic knowledge about ultrasound or other images techniques. Eighty (84.2%) acknowledged a lack of understanding about perioperative TTE. Four rounds of POC-TTE workshops were hosted by the anesthesia department of PUMCH and a total of 83 trainees participated. Sixty three participants finished all training and testing sessions. Forty eight percent of the participants voiced the need for more hand-practice opportunities, 39% suggested that training covering more basic ultrasound knowledge, 22.5% wished for more frequent training and testing. Conclusions The POC-TTE education program of PUMCH hospital, anesthesia department included didactic lecture, simulation practice and hypotension differential diagnosis. These training methods might be useful for increasing the prevalence and acceptance of perioperative POC-TTE application. Further education program of perioperative POC-TTE training could positively influence patients’ prognosis.

Key words: perioperative, point-of-care transthoracic echocardiography (POC-TTE), anesthetic management, education.