CSN035 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 3
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSN035 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CSN032 and CSN023 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,468 |
| International unit fee | $4,584 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online
| Unit code: | CSN035 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSN032 and CSN023 |
Overview
This unit provides the third opportunity in the course for extensive clinical experience that is complementary to all other units in the course. This unit builds on skills, knowledge and abilities gained in the unit CSN032 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 2. Your specialist skills will be further refined and expanded, and advanced echocardiographic skills will be developed through employment and training in a QUT approved clinical department. During this clinical placement you will be working more autonomously, with minimal supervision while delivering the highest level of patient care.
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:
- Display the specialised skills necessary to perform a range of comprehensive adult echocardiographic examinations, including the performance of advanced measurements and calculations, to professional standards.
- Synthesise, analyse and interpret normal and abnormal echocardiographic features and anatomy on a wide range of adult echocardiographic examinations, including an explanation of the possible causes for abnormal appearances, and be competent at reporting these findings.
- Apply advanced knowledge of the physical principles of ultrasound and ultrasound instrumentation, as well as demonstrating the ability to adapt ultrasound instrumentation settings to ensure high quality imaging is performed.
- Critically examine and analyse the diagnostic accuracy of images and calculations performed during advanced echo modalities such as stress testing, strain and 3D echo.
- Demonstrate advanced ability in the written and oral communication of the interpretation of findings as part of a multi-disciplinary team, while providing the highest level of patient care during the conduct of all echocardiographic examinations.
Content
The unit covers the following topic areas as applied in the clinical situation. This content is complementary to, and must be considered in the context of learning in other units such as CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1, CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound, CSN022 Cardiac Ultrasound 2, CSN023 Cardiac Ultrasound 3, CSN024 Advanced Cardiac Ultrasound, CSN031 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1 and CSN032 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 2. Clinical practice including:
- Advanced echo modalities such as stress testing, strain and 3D echocardiography
- Echocardiographic assessment of common cardiac pathologies
- Echocardiographic calculations for the assessment of common cardiac pathologies
- Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety practices
- Advanced oral, written and digital communication skills
- Professional conduct.
Learning Approaches
The 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. You will normally undertake supervised ultrasound training no less than 3 days per week (0.6FTE) whilst enrolled. No direct lectures are involved. 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 other students through the use of this unit's online discussion forum.
Computer-based materials are available for self-paced review and further studies. You will also engage throughout the semester with online-tutorial quizzes which provide instant feedback on your understanding. 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 experience, as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the clinical setting, is an important part of the learning 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, are required to monitor and evaluate your clinical progress.
Throughout the course, you are required to record evidence of your clinical experience and competency. Mandatory completion and submission of your Clinical Portfolio is required for satisfactory completion of the program.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Individual formative and summative feedback relating to the case study and final practical examination will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit. Feedback for the case study is provided as a video screen-cast 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 you would review a case with the clinical trainers.
You are expected to participate in the online Discussion Board on the Canvas unit site.
Results for all assessments will be displayed under My Grades on the Canvas site for this unit.
Assessment
Overview
Threshold conditions apply to each assessment item. If you do not receive a satisfactory grade for an assessment item, you are able to make one resubmission of the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
A marking criteria 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.
Unit Grading Scheme
S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical demonstration
You will be required to demonstrate proficiency with the non-imaging continuous wave (CW) Doppler probe as part of a standard transthoracic echo study. Satisfactory demonstration of measurement technique, accuracy and optimisation skills is required and will be assessed via an online submission.
Threshold conditions apply to this assessment item. If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for this assessment task, one resubmission attempt is permitted. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply to this assessment item. The submission is graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory whereby one or more individual assessment criteria receiving an unsatisfactory grade results in an overall unsatisfactory submission. In this instance, one resubmission of this assessment item is permitted. A 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.
Assessment: Case Study
You will be required to submit a case study demonstrating the performance of a comprehensive adult echocardiographic examination, including 2D, M-mode, spectral Doppler and colour Doppler components of the examination as well as all appropriate measurements and calculations required to answer the clinical question. Specific details including template proforma will be available on Canvas from the start of semester.
Threshold conditions apply to this assessment item. If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for this assessment task, one resubmission attempt is permitted. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply to this assessment item. The submission is graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory whereby more than one individual assessment criteria receiving an unsatisfactory grade results in an overall unsatisfactory submission. In this instance, students are permitted one resubmission of this assessment item. 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. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
Assessment: Examination (practical)
Practical assessments undertaken to evaluate your ability to conduct a comprehensive adult echocardiographic examination. Assessment includes satisfactory demonstration of the standard two-dimensional, spectral Doppler and colour flow Doppler imaging techniques, measurements and interpretation of ultrasound images. Interpretation of clinical information and demonstration of satisfactory oral communication skills with patients will also be assessed.
Threshold conditions apply to this assessment item. If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for this assessment task, one resubmission attempt is permitted. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply to this assessment item. The submission is graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory. A detailed marking criteria is used for the allocation of grades. Inadequate skill demonstration in one or more individual marking criteria constitutes an unsatisfactory grade. In the event of an unsatisfactory grade, one resubmission attempt is permitted. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
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
Recommended Text:
Anderson, B (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements (3rd ed.). Brisbane: MGA Graphics. (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Anderson, B (2014). A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. MGA Graphics (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Other References and Recommended Reading: Any detailed cardiac anatomy and physiology text
Otto, C.M. (2018). Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography (6th ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Elsevier.
American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines and Recommendations: www.asecho.org
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.