Jack and his parents attend hospital for an appointment with a cardiologist. The cardiologist examines Jack and suggests to the parents that Jack should have an echocardiogram performed.
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The cardiologist arranges for Jack to have an echocardiogram performed in the department that day.
Discussion between Jack’s parents and hospital cardiologist.
Scene 1:
Cardiologist: Can you tell me why you think we are doing an assessment on Jack today?
Jack’s mum: The GP told us that he might have something wrong with his heart.
We”re really scared.
Will he be all right?
Scene 2:
Cardiologist: We need to do some more investigations to find out what, if anything, is wrong with his heart. Once we have carried these tests out, we will have a better idea of what we need to do.
Scene 3:
Cardiologist: I”m going to send Jack along for something called an echocardiogram today. This will give us a clear picture of Jack’s heart. I suspect that Jack may have a birth defect that is affecting the normal workings of his heart.
Jack’s dad: What does the test involve? Is it dangerous?
Scene 4:
Cardiologist: Jack will lie on a cot or on your lap and have a scan of his heart taken. Can you remember the ultrasound scans performed on you by the midwife sonographer before Jack was born? These are the same. Jack’s scan will last anything from 20-40 minutes but you will be able to stay with him while he has it done. The scan itself is painless and there are no risks associated with it.
