Abstract
An echocardiographic teaching file is a successful method for today's sonographer and student sonographer of staying informed of new procedures, unusual cases, and equipment advances as well as maintaining proficiency on routine examinations. However, developing a teaching file is not an easy process, and one must follow a series of steps. To begin, there are four basic ingredients of the file: a subject file, case material, reference material, reference material, and a user's guide. Methods for developing each ingredient are discussed and analyzed. The result of this analysis is the basis for the proposed echocardiographic teaching file. The major factors to consider in setting up a file are space, cost, and time. One should try to minimize these parameters, so that the file is not a burden. Obviously, the initial development of the file will be time-consuming, but the maintenance should not take a large amount of time. The end result is an echocardiographic teaching file compatible with administrative procedures in your department benefiting all members of the laboratory.