CSN022 Cardiac Ultrasound 2

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online

Overview

The field of medical ultrasound is scientifically based in an environment that is rapidly changing and undergoing considerable technological advancement.

Cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) is a highly specialised technique for the assessment of the human heart. This unit extends and builds on the content of CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1 by introducing the principles and clinical applications of Doppler Echocardiography in the assessment of the adult heart, as well as basic haemodynamic principles and calculations. In addition, professional issues including ethical and legal considerations in the cardiac sonography profession are considered. The importance of cultural safety in the healthcare setting is explored, specifically focussing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and New Zealand Indigenous perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe, in detail, the haemodynamic principles and calculations for the determination of intracardiac pressures, pressure gradients and stroke volumes, including the application of these techniques to the real world environment as well as the limitations of these techniques.
2. Describe, in detail, methods used for the comprehensive assessment of left and right ventricular size and systolic function and common cardiac pathologies
3. Apply specialised knowledge and clinical analysis in the interpretation of echocardiographic studies to assess ventricular function and common cardiac pathologies
4. Perform, interpret and critically analyse advanced Doppler haemodynamic calculations and determine the appropriate use of these calculations for a given clinical scenario.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical and medicolegal considerations, and culturally safe practices within the healthcare setting

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit delivery is primarily in the form of recorded lectures. Lecture recordings are available from the start of semester to allow students access to the entire semester's content. This is supported by online tutorials and self-paced activities during O Week that explore professional issues affecting a cardiac sonographer in the healthcare setting. Throughout semester, computer-based materials are available for self-paced review and further studies. You will also engage with online-tutorial quizzes which provide instant feedback on your understanding of the content material. There is also an online measurements tutorial website which allows 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.

Workplace learning with the support of your clinical supervisor forms an important part of the teaching process.

Clinical supervisors are Accredited Cardiac Sonographers or Echocardiologists as approved by QUT. Clinical supervisors are responsible, in consultation with the student, for ensuring an adequate range and volume of clinical experience is obtained. Supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff and the student, are required to monitor and evaluate your clinical progress.

You will also be required to record evidence of your clinical experience in an Evidence of Clinical Competency Portfolio. This will act as an electronic record of your clinical experience throughout the course.

You will engage with the teaching team and other students through the use of this unit's online discussion forum.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback relating to the problem solving exercises will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit. Results will be displayed under "My Grades" on the Canvas site for this unit.

Assessment

Overview

A previous problem solving task and theory exam paper is available on the Canvas site for this unit. An answer outline/guide will be provided for these assessments to highlight the information required to answer these questions.

Threshold assessment conditions:
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level of 50% for an assessment task, you are able to make one resubmission of this work for the minimum pass level, only when your achieved mark/grade is within 10% of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

(Formative and summative). This case-based problem solving task involves the interpretation of 'real life' echocardiographic examinations, the performance of relevant echocardiographic calculations and recognition of the limitations of the examination in answering the clinical question.

Grades are allocated using the QUT 1 - 7 scale against a detailed marking criteria.  A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold assessment conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level of 50% for this assessment, you are able to make one resubmission of this assessment item for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark is within 10% of the pass level. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.

Assessment: Examination (Theory)

(Summative) End of semester examination. The examination includes a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions, clinical image interpretation, and performance and analysis of hemodynamic calculations.

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.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold assessment conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level of 50% for this assessment, you are able to make one resubmission of this assessment item for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark is within 10% of the pass level. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to the resubmission.

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

Risk Assessment Statement

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