6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
Sonographic scanning methods and standard protocols related to examinations of the musculoskeletal system and paediatric brain, hips and abdomen. Interpretational skills in respect to recognition of sonographic appearances of normal anatomy, anatomical variants, disease processes and the ability to modify standard sonographic approaches with regards to the clinical question and patient presentation. Particular attention will be paid to the principles of neonatal and paediatric patient care.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- identify, describe and justify the selection of imaging parameters, equipment and transducers, infection control measures and consent protocols for sonographic examinations of the musculoskeletal system, neonatal brain, hips and abdomen;
- perform routine sonographic examinations of the shoulder and/or paediatric kidneys safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer;
- identify and describe the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the musculoskeletal system, neonatal brain, hips and abdomen and related artefacts;
- recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required and explain the limitations of ultrasound in regards to imaging the musculoskeletal system, neonatal brain, hips and abdomen;
- implement Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques where appropriate in musculoskeletal and paediatric ultrasound imaging;
- describe and implement patient care and quality assurance principles to sonographic imaging.
Fieldwork
Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.
Assessment
NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
- Compulsory attainment of the requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
- 2 x Assignments (1,500 words each) (30%)
- Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
- Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
- Clinical skills assessment (10%)
Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.