Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

This unit provides the second opportunity in the course for you to be involved in 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 CSN031 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1 (formerly coded PCN497). 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.

This is a designated unit. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring the demonstration of certain personal qualities, and are deemed to be critical to progress in your course. At the end of each semester, if you fail to achieve a passing grade in this unit you may be eligible for a period of probation or exclusion. Note that supplementary assessment will not be granted on a designated unit.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to provide you with the opportunity to further develop and expand specialist echocardiographic skills and to gain experience in advanced techniques in an approved clinical environment, under the direction of a suitably qualified clinical supervisor.

Objectives

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

1. Display the specialised skills necessary to perform a range of comprehensive adult echocardiographic examinations, including the performance of advanced measurements and calculations, to the standards as described by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE).



2. Effectively recognise and describe the 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.



3. 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.



4. Critically examine and interpret the clinical ultrasound request and apply specialised knowledge and skills in order to perform examinations which evidence high level of diagnostic accuracy.



5. Demonstrate an advanced level of written and oral communication skills as well as 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 and CSN031 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1.

Clinical practice including:

• Standard two-dimensional views obtained at the parasternal, apical, subcostal and suprasternal positions


• Standard spectral Doppler examination, including standard and advanced measurements and calculations and the assessment of diastolic function


• Standard colour Doppler examination


• Echocardiographic assessment of common cardiac pathologies


• Echocardiographic calculations for the assessment of common cardiac pathologies


• Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety practices

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

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 you 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 as may be necessary, on an individual basis.

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 be evaluated during the semester by a QUT staff member or appointee.

You may be required to undertake further clinical practice at a specialist clinical centre if the required range of examinations is not available in the nominated clinical department. It is your responsibility, in consultation with their nominated clinical supervisor and QUT academic staff, to arrange such further clinical experience.

On commencing this unit you will be required to continue your clinical training in your nominated approved centre. As a result the clinical records workbook supplied in Semester 1 will become a record of your clinical experience across the entire year.

Assessment

In accordance with professional accreditation requirements, students must achieve a satisfactory result in both the Clinical Procedures Record Book and Practical Assessment to be awarded a grade of 4, or better, in this unit.
Note: All assessment contributes to your grade. You must receive a satisfactory in each Mandatory assessment item to be awarded a grade of 4, or better, in this unit.Individual formative feedback relating to the submitted case studies will be provided to students via the Blackboard site for this unit. Results for all assessments will be displayed under My Grades on the Blackboard site for this unit.

Assessment name: Workbook
Description: (Mandatory Requirement) - At the commencement of the year you will be supplied with a Clinical Procedures Record Book. All clinical experience that you are involved with during the year is to be recorded in the Clinical Procedure Record Book by you and verified by the clinical supervisor. This same Clinical Procedures Record Book will continue to be utilised by you throughout the year. In addition, the Clinical Supervisor is required review a series of case studies performed by you over the duration of the year; assessment of this review is based on your critical reflection on each case. The specific requirements for the completion of this workbook are detailed within the Clinical Procedure Record Book.
Relates to objectives: 1, 4-5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End semester

Assessment name: Reports
Description: (Formative and summative) - You will be required to submit a number of case studies demonstrating your ability to perform a range of comprehensive echocardiographic examinations, including M-mode and two-dimensional and Doppler techniques and measurements.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During semester

Assessment name: Practical
Description: (Mandatory requirement) - This is a practical evaluation of your ability to competently conduct a standard adult echocardiographic examination, including M-mode and two-dimensional and Doppler techniques and measurements, on two patients with varying cardiac pathologies. This assessment is undertaken in workplace by a QUT appointed assessor.
Weight: Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End semester

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 Text:

Anderson, B. (2007). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements (2nd ed.). Brisbane: MGA Graphics. (This text is strongly recommended for all students)

Other References and Recommended Reading:

Otto, C.M. (2009). Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography (4th ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines and Standards: www.asecho.org

Recent and current journals related to cardiology and echocardiography

Learning resources on the Blackboard site

Discussion Board on the Blackboard site

Risk assessment statement

You will be employed in clinical departments where you will be required to comply with departmental rules and regulations regarding workplace health and safety, ethical and legal considerations.

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-Feb-2013