Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Specialised knowledge of the diagnostic potential of medical ultrasound imaging is essential for the operator to perform effective examinations. This unit provides a detailed understanding of the fundamental ultrasound examinations of the abdomen and pelvis. It is offered in the first semester to ensure you obtain a comprehensive understanding of these primary skills before progression to more advanced techniques.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to provide you with an advanced understanding of the techniques involved in conducting an ultrasound examination of the adult abdomen and female pelvis. The unit will provide the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure you are able to perform these examinations effectively and with a high level of diagnostic quality.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Apply advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology to the ultrasound examinations of the adult abdomen and female pelvis.


2. Effectively demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the various scan techniques applicable to imaging the abdomen and female pelvis.


3. Interpret and critically examine a range of standard measurements performed during these examinations and apply them to the real world environment.


4. Apply specialised knowledge of the principles and techniques of medical ultrasound imaging to ensure diagnostic quality and best practice.

Content

The unit covers the following topic areas:

• Introduction to scanning techniques in the adult abdomen and pelvis.

Introduction to human embryology.
Ultrasound examinations of the adult abdomen including:

• pancreas


• biliary tract


• liver


• renal system


• major vasculature of the abdomen


• peritoneum and retroperitoneal spacev
  
• fluid pathways


• spleen


• Ultrasound techniques in gynaecology including:


• importance of patient history and clinical indications


• trans-abdominal scan techniques


• standard trans-vaginal scan techniques


• normal ultrasonic appearances of the female pelvis


• ultrasonic appearances of common abnormalities of the uterus and ovaries


• ultrasonic techniques in the first trimester of pregnancy


• The role and purpose of professional bodies


• Professional communication, legal and ethical issues


• Basic professional management techniques and issues

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit combines an intensive block of lectures, tutorials and in-class demonstrations at the start of the semester which is complemented by ongoing online materials for self-paced learning.

You will also be provided with a clinical procedures portfolio at the commencement of the course. This portfolio will act as a record of all your clinical experience throughout the course. You will normally undertake supervised ultrasound training no less than 3 days per week (0.6FTE) whilst enrolled in the course. It is a requirement that all experience gained in the first semester be entered into the clinical record portfolio and will form part of your assessment for the unit CSN033 Medical Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1 in second semester.

Assessment

For the purpose of professional accreditation, you must achieve a satisfactory result (50% or above) in each area of assessment in order to be awarded a grade of 4, or better in this unit.A structured approach to formative and summative assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: (Summative and Formative) A series of problem-solving exercises presented as modules on the Blackboard site including an image viewing assessment.
Relates to objectives: 2 & 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During semester

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: You will be asked to critically examine a range of commonly encountered pathologies associated with topics discussed in this subject.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 3
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During semester

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: (Summative) - Written Examination, combining MCQ, short answers and essay type questions.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central exam period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Texts and Readings:

Rumack, C., Wilson, S., Charboneau, J., Levine, D. (Eds). (2010). Diagnostic Ultrasound (4th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

Callen, P.W. (Ed.). (2007). Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (5th ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Hagen-Ansert, S. (2006). Textbook of Diagnostic Ultrasonography (5th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

Bates, J. (2004). Abdominal Ultrasound: How, Why and When (2nd ed.). UK: Churchill Livingstone.

Moore, K.L. (2003). Before We are Born: Essentials of Embryology and Birth Defects (6th ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.

Moore, K.L. (2006). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Underwood, J.C.E. (Ed.). (2004). General and Systematic Pathology (4th ed.). UK: Churchill Livingstone.

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.

Last modified: 11-Oct-2012