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Interview with Nathalie Garbani

Nathalie Garbani is the author of: Practical Vascular Technology: A Comprehensive Laboratory Text http://www.lww.com/product/?978-1-58255-809-7

(Nehrenz) Tell me about your new (and first) book and the approach you took toward teaching and discussing techniques in Vascular Sonography?

(Garbani) I had envisioned this first book to be a visual reference guide for techniques in vascular sonography, not necessarily for students, but for everyone from novice to more accomplished technologists. The concept was to limit the text to a minimum and in only one main section of each chapter, and

(Nehrenz) What gave you the incentive or motivation to undertake this project?

(Garbani)Since I started teaching in the vascular sonography program at Nova Southeastern University, I developed a good relationship with the publisher.

(Nehrenz) What do you see as the biggest challenge in teaching vascular techniques in the academic environment?

(Garbani) There are several challenges in teaching the technical skills needed for the profession. First, because of all the modalities of diagnostic medical imaging in general, and sonography in particular, the evaluation of the vascular system is done by using many different technologies, not just ultrasound per se. Second, although not specific to this field, the acquisition of skills necessitates many hours of hands-on practice. Finally, partly based on the historical development of the field (started with vascular surgeons), and partly because of the place of the vascular system in the functioning of the human body in health and disease, this specialty of diagnostic medical imaging requires high levels of analytical skills, critical thinking, and judgment even in daily tasks and routine examinations. Many of these points are difficult to convey in a book. My goal was to provide reference points for students or even practicing sonographers, particularly for the challenges noted above.

(Nehrenz) How do you think you addressed these challenges with your book?

(Garbani) I took great care in thinking through the photos needed to illustrate techniques and the selections of ultrasound images to explain and display results, variations, and concepts in hemodynamics. Short of being filmed demonstrating the procedure and explaining the data obtained, I based the construction of the chapters on a more elaborate form of those diagrams that come in packages to install your DVD player or bookshelf. The reviewers were absolutely wonderful in shaping each chapter (sometimes away from my original designs or thoughts), some even offered to send pictures to illustrate more specific points. With the text, I really tried to leave enough room for thinking and avoiding assertions, in an effort to instill humility in our knowledge. I believe it is a crucial point, and one easily overlooked, to remember that we do not know everything and that tools do not have all the answer, but are just there to help us get to an answer.

(Nehrenz) Have you given any thoughts to follow-up projects?

(Garbani) I undertook this first project alone, maybe as a personal challenge, and maybe because I guess I am overly protective in some instances and did not want to involve someone when I was uncertain of the outcome or moreover the time commitment. I now have a better idea and can really impart my experience to anyone willing to take on such project. My colleagues, new and not so new, in the program have been doing a lot of work in developing exercises for hands-on training in our profession, and we are strongly thinking of pooling all of our resources to develop an interactive manual for instructors and students. Nothing like that exists in the field, and I believe it is strongly needed.

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