CSN027 Ultrasonic Examination 2

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Online

Overview

Specialised knowledge of the diagnostic potential of medical ultrasound imaging is essential for the operator to perform effective examinations. This unit introduces you to more advanced ultrasound examinations that are encountered in clinical practice. This  includes the ultrasound techniques used to examine the breast, neck and peripheral organs and the associated ultrasonic appearance of normal and abnormal anatomy and pathology. It also describes the basic ultrasound techniques used to examine the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. These topics are offered in the first semester of the second year of the course so that you have had time to understand the fundamentals of Medical Ultrasound which are outlined in the subjects CSN036 Foundations of Ultrasound Imaging and CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology to the ultrasound examinations of a range of specialty areas outlined in the unit.
2. Explore the effectiveness of various scan techniques used in small parts and obstetric ultrasound imaging.
3. Interpret and critically examine a range of standard measurements performed during these examinations and apply them to the real world environment.
4. Critically interpret evidence-based findings, draw conclusions and communicate via digital media.
5. Apply specialised knowledge of the principles and techniques of medical ultrasound imaging to ensure diagnostic quality and best practice.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit will provide you with a range of ways to engage synchronously and asynchronously in online and face to face learning environments. Content, learning activities and assessment are intentionally designed to response to your diverse learning needs and preferences. 

The unit is designed predominately for self-paced learning. Online lectures and interactive tutorials are included in each learning module to introduce the major concepts. Additional information will be provided in the QUT Readings, links to relevant internet sites and other electronic resources. You will have the opportunity to engage in online discussions about real-world case examples aimed to develop your deeper understanding of the material. Through engaging with the robust content material, peer-to-peer learning activities and the completion of authentic assessment items, you will continue to build your professional identity as a sonographer.

Learning support is provided during the on-campus block via a workshop provided by the student support group. This workshop provides support for students to  conduct an effective literature review, this is recorded and can be reviewed throughout the semester. The on campus block also enables students to engage and learn directly from industry partners which builds their professional skills and profile, and provides networking opportunities which can be used to leverage future employment opportunities.  

The QUT library also provides academic support and training to students throughout the semester via drop-in sessions.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

A structured approach to summative assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress. You will be provided with summative feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit. Formative assessment feedback is provided via each assessment items marking rubric or model answer script. Feedback is also provided via interaction with your peers and teaching staff via the unit discussion board.

Assessment

Overview

The first assessment is an online problem-solving task involving the review and assessment of ultrasound images in which you will be asked to provide critical feedback on areas such as diagnostic quality, sonographic features and pathology identification. The second assessment requires you to conduct a literature review on a topic that relates directly to topics taught within this unit. You will present your findings as an ePoster. The final examination will whole-of-unit learning experiences and will be conducted in the central examination period.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Imaging Viewing Interpretation

Taking on the role of a sonographer, you will complete a series of problem-solving exercises presented as a series of image-based case examples to provide diagnostic imaging solutions. 

Assessment: ePoster

Taking on the role of the diagnostic sonographer,  you will develop an instructional ePoster for your department to educate staff on a particular scan technique, sonographic appearance or pathology related to topics covered in this unit.  You will communicate your proposed solutions including an explanation of the interactions of ultrasound within the human body and how these can be adapted to optimise image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Your responses should be written for diverse healthcare teams and may include references to how your proposed approaches reflect evidence-based best practice. The digital design will be evaluated on its effectiveness to communicate to a broad diverse audience using visual design and UDL techniques (for example readability, accessibility) to maximise the impact of your ePoster. 

This assessment is eligibility for the 48 hour late submission period and extensions.

Assessment: Examination (written)

You will complete a multiple choice and short answer written examination conducted during the centrally time-tabled exam period. This will assess all unit lecture content.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Curry, P., Prince M.(2020) Sonography - Introduction to Normal Structure and Function (5th ed.). Elsevier. 

Rumack, C., Wilson, S., Charboneau, J., Levine, D. (2017). Diagnostic Ultrasound (5th ed.). Elsevier.

Risk Assessment Statement

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

Course Learning Outcomes

CS60 Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound

1. Acquire and apply advanced specialist knowledge of the principles and techniques of medical ultrasound imaging
   Relates to: Examination (written)
2. Critically examine clinical ultrasound requests to perform independent examinations to a high level of diagnostic accuracy
   Relates to: Imaging Viewing Interpretation
3. Evidence effective skills in communicating the diagnostic value of the ultrasound image to multidisciplinary health teams
   Relates to: ePoster