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

In this unit, the specialised sonographic skills are developed through employment and training in a QUT approved clinical department. Clinical skills are developed and evaluated by QUT approved clinical supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff. This unit is offered in the second semester of the first year of the course in order for you to thoroughly develop the necessary sonographic techniques required for many routine ultrasound examinations.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to provide you with the opportunity to develop practical sonographic skills in an approved clinical environment under the direction of a suitably qualified clinical supervisor.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Display the specialised skills necessary to perform an adult ultrasound examination of the abdomen and female pelvis to the standards as described by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM).



2. Demonstrate an advanced level of written and oral communication skills to achieve effective patient care during ultrasonic examinations.



3. Critically examine a clinical ultrasound request and apply specialised knowledge in order to perform examinations which evidence a high level of diagnostic accuracy.



4. Practise within professional and ethical frameworks.



5. Effectively apply specialised knowledge of anatomy and pathological processes to identify both normal and abnormal sonographic appearances and be competent at reporting these findings.

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 CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound, CSN026 Ultrasonic Examination 1 and CSN027 Ultrasonic Examination 2.



• Patient preparation and communication requirements.


• Acoustic windows used in ultrasound.


• Performance of a standard ultrasound examination in the adult abdomen and pelvis.


• Performance of an ultrasound examination of the female pelvis for gynaecological applications.


• Performance of a standard ultrasound examination in all trimesters of pregnancy.


• Performance of a range of additional general ultrasound examinations, as applicable in the place of clinical practice, such as scrotal, breast, neck and musculoskeletal applications.


• Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety practices.


• Application of the relevant ethical, legal and professional standards appropriate to medical ultrasound.

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 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.

On entering the course you will be expected to begin your ultrasound training at the commencement of semester 1. As a result the clinical records portfolio will be supplied in Semester 1 and will become a record of your clinical experience across the entire year.

Clinical supervisors are experienced accredited medical sonographers or sonologists, approved by QUT. Clinical supervisors are responsible, in consultation with you, for ensuring an adequate range and volume of clinical experience is obtained. Supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff and you, will monitor and evaluate your clinical progress. You may be evaluated, during the semester, by a QUT staff member or appointee.

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: Portfolio
Description: (Mandatory Requirement) - At the commencement of the course (semester 1) 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 by you and verified by the clinical supervisor. Details regarding required minimum numbers and range of examinations will be provided at the beginning of the course. You are required to attach a self-review to your Clinical Procedures Record Book at the end of the semester. The self-review is a personal reflection of your progress in the clinical setting.
Relates to objectives: 1-3
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End semester


Assessment name: Report
Description: (Formative and summative) - You will be required to submit four case reports demonstrating the conduct of a range of examinations with varying anatomical or pathological features.
Relates to objectives: 3-5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout semester


Assessment name: Practical Examination
Description: (Summative) - A series of practical assessments, in your workplace or other clinical centre as determined by the Unit Coordinator, of your ability to conduct a range of standard adult sonographic examinations, including one each of the following: abdomen, female pelvis, obstetric and small parts.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 5
Weight: 60%
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 Reading:

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

Hagen-Ansert, S. (2006). Textbook of Diagnostic Ultrasonography (6th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

Rummack, C., Wilson, S., & Charboneau, J. (Eds). (2011). Diagnostic Ultrasound (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Mosby.

Bates, J. (2010). Abdominal Ultrasound: How, Why and When (3rd ed.). UK: Churchill Livingstone.

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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-Oct-2012