FAQs

  • The exam was developed and validated with results published in CJC (Almufleh A, Kushneriuk D, Yu E ... Evaluating Independent Echocardiography Interpretation Skills: A Novel Assessment Tool. Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2023; 39, 693-696).

    Four subsequent iterations of the exam were then conducted and analyzed for marking validity and reliability (unpublished but presented at CSE 2024).

    The cases are representative of studies that a physician functioning as an independent interpreter would be expected to read and interpret competently in any lab across Canada.

  • Each report is compared with a consensus-derived gold standard report, using the National Consensus Criteria for Reporting (see ecoproject.ca/ncc). Results will be analyzed using psychometric methods to provide evidence for validity.

  • Total mark = Summary Section (50%) + Findings Section (50%).

  • Scores will be provided to the candidates and the program, with national comparators (for example, national average, mean, and other appropriate assessment data). It is up to the individual universities to decide how the grades will be used in the final attestation of Independent Interpreter status for the trainee.

  • PGY6 trainees seeking Independent Interpreter (previously Level II) designation. Beginning December 2026, this test is the national Independent Interpreter assessment.

  • To confirm your sitting, contact your training program director or Echo Lab education director.

  • You can expect to receive your results within 3-4 weeks.

  • A second sitting of the exam will be offered in January 2027 (January 26 or January 27). Contact your training program director or Echo Lab education director.

  • Yes. You have 2.5 hours to complete the exam, plus an additional 30-minute grace period. A warning will be displayed 30 minutes before the end of the allotted time. After 3 hours, the system will automatically save all your work and submit all completed cases.

  • Currently the exam is only available in English but a French version is expected in late 2027.

  • Yes, but all personal health information (PHI) has been fully removed.

  • Your university or health authority email address. Accounts registered with any other email service will not be granted access. Ensure you have access to the platform prior to the exam date.

  • A computer with an up-to-date web browser and pop-ups allowed. Right-clicking is required to open the dropdown menus.

  • Platform or technical issues: support@futurepacs.com

    Exam dates, eligibility or content: Your training Echo Lab education director.

Technical Support and Troubleshooting

Technical Support and Troubleshooting:

Please ensure you use Google Chrome to access the platform.

Use a computer or laptop with a high-speed internet connection. The platform is not intended for use on a phone. Your computer should have at least 8 GB of RAM.

For the best experience, we recommend using a mouse and two screens: one for the DICOM viewer and one for reporting.

For any problem with access or a platform function, email support@futurepacs.com. Report issues as soon as they happen, during practice as well as on exam day. To help the team respond quickly, include:

  • Your full name and the email address you registered with

  • Your institution

  • The exam study ID (e.g., P32)

  • Your device, operating system and browser

  • What you were doing, what happened, and any error message

  • A screenshot, if possible

    • Ensure your account and access are activated prior to the exam date.

    • Check that you used your university or health authority email address.

    • Check that you selected “Learner” as your role and the correct Organization / Educational Institution.

    • Still not working? Email support@futurepacs.com.

    • Reset your password from the login page.

    • Try a different browser.

    • Still not working? Email support@futurepacs.com immediately.

    • Ensure pop-ups are allowed.

    • Refresh the page.

    • Reopen the study.

    • Check whether brightness, contrast or frame-rate settings carried over from a previous study.

    • Still not working? Email support@futurepacs.com.

    • Make sure you are right clicking inside the section you want to complete.

    • Refresh the browser window.

    • Log out and back in.

    • Still not working? Email support@futurepacs.com.

    • Do not close the browser or restart the study yet.

    • Refresh the page and reopen the study.

    • Email support@futurepacs.com with the study ID before restarting.