CSN032 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 2

Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 05A 2027, Online (Start Date: 08 Feb 2027)

Overview

This unit is the second clinical unit of this course and develops the clinical and professional skills necessary for clinical practice. Your specialist skills will be refined and expanded, and echocardiographic skills will be developed through training in a QUT approved clinical department and practical assessments. This unit builds on your skills, knowledge and abilities gained in the unit CSN031 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1. 

This is a designated unit which is essential to your course progression. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring demonstration of certain personal qualities. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit, you may be excluded from enrolment or will be put on academic probation. If you fail a designated unit twice within your course, you may be excluded. Supplementary assessment is not available on designated units.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Perform a range of comprehensive adult echocardiographic examinations, measurements and calculations at the standard expected by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE).
2. Evaluate and interpret the normal and abnormal echocardiographic features and anatomy identified in a diverse range of patients during echocardiographic examinations.
3. Critically examine and interpret the clinical indication to determine examination extension as required.
4. Produce high quality digital imaging by applying the physical principles of ultrasound and adapting ultrasound instrumentation settings as appropriate.
5. Communicate evidence-based clinical practice, findings and research effectively using a range of digital, oral and written formats.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit combines supervised clinical experience in a nominated QUT approved clinical department with a range of formative and summative assessment items undertaken by the student during the period of clinical practice. The assessments scaffold upon practical assessments completed in prerequisite units building towards clinical competency at the end of the course.

The range and volume of your clinical experience, under the supervision of QUT approved Accredited Cardiac Sonographers or Echocardiologists, should reflect key competency areas of cardiac sonographers when examining a range of cardiac pathologies. It is your responsibility to negotiate the breadth and depth of your clinical experience with your supervisor. Your progress will be monitored and evaluated by your clinical supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff. Your workplace experience, as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the clinical setting, is an important part of your learning journey. You will undertake supervised ultrasound training no less than 3 days per week (0.6FTE) whilst enrolled. 

You are required to submit a Case Study Portfolio to demonstrate the skills and competencies required to perform two (2) ultrasound examinations on medically referred patients with valvular heart disease. You must include one case study of a patient with any degree of aortic stenosis or aortic valve replacement (surgical or transcatheter) and a second case study of a patient with aortic or mitral regurgitation of at least moderate severity. You will demonstrate use of the PEDOF transducer (non-imaging CW Doppler transducer) as per the assessment details in each case study. The use of GenAI is not authorised for Case Study Portfolio submissions due to the use of patient data. 

You are required to create and record a case presentation of an interesting case that you have scanned, similar to an interesting case session of a conference or grand rounds at a hospital. The use of GenAI is authorised for producing visual aids and designing your case presentation. The GenAI tool "Designer" will be demonstrated and can assist you in producing a high-quality visual display in PowerPoint. Adobe Express is another QUT endorsed AI-equipped tool that may assist you in creating visual content for this assessment task, with training apps available to you. 

Throughout the course, you are required to record evidence of your clinical experience and competency. The Clinical Portfolio is a progressive formative submission over the duration of the course. The Clinical Portfolio is designed to demonstrate progressive accumulation of skills and to ensure adequate preparation prior to the final Clinical Examination in Year 2, Semester 2. For satisfactory completion of the program the Clinical Portfolio must be graded as Satisfactory prior to booking your final Clinical Examination in CSN035 (Year 2, Semester 2).

Academic Consultation and Peer Collaboration: QUT academic staff are available to discuss issues relating to the clinical practice requirements on an individual basis, as necessary. You will also engage with the teaching team and your student peers via the unit's online discussion forum.

This unit is supported by an intensive block during pre-Welcome Week (approximately 2 days) which combines tutorials, demonstrations and interactive scanning sessions delivered at Gardens Point campus. Content includes:

• Practical scanning stations (including PEDOF from all windows)
• Haemodynamic bootcamp
• Porcine heart dissection for advanced echocardiography practice
• Pulmonary hypertension tutorial
• Image optimisation interactive session with live demonstrations
• Critical case scenarios
• Adult congenital heart disease workshop
• Code of Conduct
• Cultural Responsivity workshop.

   

Online drop-in sessions led by the unit coordinator will occur throughout the semester to support students putting theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. Students can join the unit coordinator in on-line sessions to explore:

• assessments and expectations
• interesting clinical cases
• image optimisation
• critical thinking when interpreting echocardiographic images and measurements.

The online measurements tutorial website is available for you to practice your measurement techniques on real-life images in a simulated environment and receive instant feedback by viewing the expert-level measurement for that image. This practical support should complement the practical support that you receive from your clinical supervisor in the workplace. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

During the on-campus imaging workshops, you will participate in live-scanning sessions on volunteer patients. During these sessions, you will have the opportunity to receive feedback on your imaging and measurement technique from both peers and expert sonographers. 

Throughout semester, you will have the opportunity to participate in online discussion board forums and online interactive sessions with course staff and peers. You will also engage in weekly, online quizzes which provide instant feedback on your learning.  Drop-in sessions will be held to discuss real world clinical cases in context of the unit content, discuss upcoming assessment tasks and assist you in preparing for end of semester exams.

Individual formative feedback relating to the Clinical Portfolio submission will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit. Feedback for the case studies is provided as video screencasts from experienced senior cardiac sonographers which allows you to see how measurements would be performed correctly, how the image control settings are manipulated and also hear the commentary from the assessors. This reflects real-world practice where a student would review a case with clinical sonographers in the workplace. Individual, written feedback will be provided for the case presentation submission.

A course-specific, measurements tutorial website allows you to practice measurement technique on real-life images in a simulated environment and receive instant feedback by viewing the expert-level measurement for that image. 

Results for all assessments will be displayed on the Canvas site for this unit.

Assessment

Overview

In this unit, you will undertake written, recorded oral and clinical assessments related to the learning outcomes of this unit. You will perform echocardiographic imaging in the clinical setting and submit two case studies with specific valvular pathology requirements. You will also research a cardiac condition that you have imaged and record a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation on this topic. The case presentation will provide you an opportunity to present your submission in the workplace or at an educational event or conference.

You must receive a satisfactory result in each assessment item in order to be awarded a grade of satisfactory in this unit. Individual assessment items are graded as Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory.

In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply to assessment items 1 and 2.  If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for an assessment item, you are able to make one resubmission of this work. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.  

A marking criterion is used for the allocation of grades for each assessment item.  A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.

The Clinical Portfolio is a progressive formative submission over the duration of the course. The Clinical Portfolio is designed to demonstrate progressive accumulation of skills and to ensure adequate preparation prior to the final Clinical Examination in Year 2, Semester 2. For satisfactory completion of the program the Clinical Portfolio must be graded as Satisfactory prior to booking your final Clinical Examination in CSN035 (Year 2, Semester 2).

Unit Grading Scheme

S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study Portfolio

You will be required to submit two case studies demonstrating the performance of comprehensive adult echocardiographic examinations.  This includes 2D, spectral Doppler and colour Doppler components of the examination, and all appropriate measurements and calculations required to answer the clinical question.

Case study 1 - 

1. This case study must be performed on a patient with either aortic valve stenosis (any severity) and/or a prosthetic aortic valve replacement (surgical or transcatheter – normal or abnormal).
2. This case study MUST include the use of the non-imaging continuous-wave Doppler probe -showing the transaortic signal achieved from the apical, suprasternal notch, right supraclavicular fossa and right sternal edge windows (all attempts are to be shown even if the signal quality is suboptimal), and all signals must be labelled with respect to the signal and window used, e.g., apical, RSE
3. If the image quality is sufficient, this study MUST also include an attempted Simpson’s biplane Ejection Fraction

Case study 2 -

1. This case study must be performed on a patient with aortic or mitral regurgitation of at least moderate severity.
2. This case study MUST include the use of the non-imaging continuous-wave Doppler probe -showing at least the regurgitant signal, and all signals must be labelled with respect to the signal and window used (e.g., apical, RSE).
3. If the image quality is sufficient, this study MUST also include an attempted Simpson’s biplane Ejection Fraction
4. If there is both AR and MR, choose one lesion only for critical analysis of the adequacy and completeness of the study section. 
5. Note that quantification of the regurgitant lesion is NOT required but may be included for feedback purposes.

Submissions are graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory.  A detailed marking criteria is used for the allocation of grades.  A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.

Due to the use of patient data in this assessment, the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply. If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for this assessment task you are able to make one resubmission of this work. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.

Assessment: Interesting case presentation

You will be required to research a pathology observed in an echocardiographic examination you have performed in the clinical workplace. You will acquire the digital skills necessary to record a PowerPoint presentation including a review of current literature relevant to the pathology and a demonstration of your imaging. You will have the opportunity to submit your work for inclusion in an online webinar series for Australian and New Zealand ultrasound students, organised by a sonography industry partner, or alternatively, to present your study at a workplace educational event. 

Submissions are graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory.  A detailed marking criteria is used for the allocation of grades.  A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply. If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for this assessment task you are able to make one resubmission of this work. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

It is a Medicare requirement that all sonographer providers of ultrasound services are included in the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR): Student accreditation $110.00

Travel costs associated with the on-campus, intensive block.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Anderson, B (2014). A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. MGA Graphics (This text is strongly recommended for all students)

Anderson, B. (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements (3rd ed.). Brisbane: MGA Graphics. (This text is strongly recommended for all students)

Reference book(s)

Otto, C.M. (2023). Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Other

American Society of Echocardiography Guideline and Recommendations: www.asecho.org 

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

CS61 Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound

1. Critically analyse clinical information to accurately differentiate normal cardiac anatomy and complex cardiac pathologies.
   Relates to: Interesting case presentation
2. Perform independent, culturally safe and patient-centred cardiac ultrasound examinations to a high level of technical proficiency and diagnostic accuracy.
   Relates to: Case Study Portfolio
3. Communicate effectively with peers and multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the diagnostic value and limitations of cardiac ultrasound imaging.
   Relates to: Case Study Portfolio, Interesting case presentation
4. Practice as a reflective, ethical and collaborative professional committed to the sustainability of quality assured cardiac sonography practice.
   Relates to: Interesting case presentation