As valued members of an inter-professional team, it is important that cardiac physiologists/echocardiographers are able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular diseases occurrence, common cardiac diagnostic tests, professional requirements and emerging health reform policies. This assessment requires you to create a peer information report for the benefit of health professionals from other fields. The report will consist of four main sections and a conclusion, with approximately 200 words per section. You may use lectures, tutorials and relevant materials provided on the unit Moodle site. In addition to the unit materials provided, you must research current literature to develop your responses. The four main sections to be discussed include:

Section 1 - Introduction

Define cardiovascular disease and discuss the epidemiological distribution (frequency, pattern) of cardiovascular disease globally, and in Australia.

• Identify risk factors that contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.
• Include any appropriate image/s to enhance content and understanding of the above.

Section 2- Body

List common diagnostic procedures that are used to investigate cardiovascular disease (this can be in the form of a table).

Using the diagnostic test: Exercise stress echocardiogram, describe the following:

• Why this test is performed.
• How this test is performed and what the results may indicate. Include an appropriate image to enhance content and understanding.
• Provide an example of an authoritative source where patients and/or health professionals can source further information on this procedure.

Include an appropriate image to enhance content and understanding.

Provide an example of an authoritative source where patients and/or health professionals can source further information on this procedure.

Section 3 - Body

Continuing professional development (CPD) is mandatory in Australia to maintain professional standards and to meet CPD requirements. Briefly describe how cardiac sonographers in Australia maintain continuing professional development. Ensure to include: 

• How often a cardiac sonographer is required to record CPD.
• Via which methods can a cardiac sonographer gain CPD points (refer to the ASAR CPD table).
• How CPD is recorded in Australia.
• Are student sonographers required to record CPD?

Section 4 - Body

Research health reforms in Australia and chose ONE policy or strategy that has the potential to improve the lives of patients living with cardiovascular disease. You may wish to consider preventative strategies, health service improvements or health infrastructure advancements.

• Define the problem.
• Describe the solution.

Discuss the impact and include in your answer:

1. A minimum of TWO benefits of this policy or strategy, and
2. A minimum of TWO limitations or barriers to the policy or strategy.

Include an appropriate image to enhance content and understanding.

Section 5:

Conclude with a summarised key message of the assessment.

Word Count

1000 words +/- 10% word count does not include headings, images, figures, table titles, axis labels or reference list. Descriptive captions are considered within the word count.

Format and submission

• A4 format
• Orientation portrait
• Footer with student name, email and phone number
• Header with page numbers
• Title
• Student name
• Student number
• Unit number
• Assessment title
• Word count

Submit online via Moodle.doc or docx files ONLY.

You are required to submit a copy to Turnitin. Please allow time to review your Turnitin results and implement changes if required prior to the assessment due date.

In the absence of an approved extension request or there are not sound reasons for a late submission, a penalty of five percent (5%) of the total available marks for the assessment will be deducted for each full or part calendar day the assessment task is overdue.

You will be assessed using the Written Assessment marking rubric on your ability to:

• Locate and critically evaluate information.
• Recognize pertinent professional information.
• Discuss the provision of a common cardiac assessment. 
• Discuss professional requirements of an echocardiographer. 

A downloadable copy of the Written Assessment task rubric can be found on the Moodle site.

Students will be required to practice high-quality hygiene practices and demonstrate appropriate scanning and interpretation skills throughout this practical assessment.

Students will use theoretical knowledge from lectures and tutorials as well as skills and information provided at the residential school to perform these assessments under the supervision of a tutor/assessor.

Practical assessment task 1: Hand hygiene

• Demonstrate competency in the performance of effective hand washing (safe practice) using soap and water. 

Practical assessment task 2: Introduction to Echocardiographic scanning skills

• Demonstrate introductory knowledge of cardiac ultrasound scanning, probe manipulation and scan sector orientation.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour and safe practice.
• Identify sector orientation.
• Manipulate the transducer.
• Use appropriate terminology.

A time limit of 10min will be applied to practical assessment task 2.

You must be available to act as a patient model for peer practical assessments. You may have to be a patient model on more than one occasion.

You cannot request who you scan for your practical assessment.

Students will be assessed using the Practical assessment task 1 marking rubric and Practical assessment task 2 marking rubric, on your ability to:

• Demonstrate professional behaviour and safe practice.
• Demonstrate introductory knowledge of cardiac ultrasound scanning.
• Identify sector orientation.
• Manipulate the transducer.
• Use appropriate terminology.

This is a PASS/FAIL assessment. Pass means that the standard of practice displayed is at or above the performance criteria outlined in the marking rubric.  To be deemed competent and pass, all action criteria boxes must be performed correctly.

Tasks are graded separately so that if one is passed and another is not, only the failed task must be repeated successfully to pass overall. Following provision of assessment feedback, only one opportunity for re-sit of any failed tasks will be provided.

Practical assessment re-sits will be held on the same day as the original attempt (Friday 13th May 2022). All enrolled students must be available to act as a patient model for peer re-sits if requested by the unit coordinator.

Referring style

Vancouver

Submission

In person

Students are required to respond to a series of questions (drawn from lectures, readings, tutorials, and laboratory sessions) via an online test, within the prescribed time frame. This online test will assess your understanding of the content presented throughout the unit delivery. Questions will be drawn from a resource bank, to allow the online test to be different for each student. All unit content presented in lectures, tutorial presentations, at the residential school and within prescribed readings is assessable. The online test may include multiple choice, short answer, calculation or image interpretation style questions. Students are encouraged to have a calculator available when sitting the test. 

To successfully complete the online test, students must:

• Access the online test via ECHO11003 Moodle at the assigned time.
• Attempt the online test only once (once started, the online test cannot be paused).
• Prepare personal notes and have a calculator when attempting the Online Test.
  
• Undertake the Online Test as an individual (questions are drawn from a question pool to allow a different online test for each student; any incidences of academic misconduct lead to action from the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching).
• Notify relevant staff and TASAC if technical issues arise during the Online Test; TASAC is available for immediate assistance during AEST business hours).

Please note:

It is important that you commence the Online Test before 5:50 pm (AEST) on Friday 10th  June 2022.

The Online Test will automatically close at 8:00 pm (AEST) on Friday the 10th of June 2022.

If you have not completed the test by this time, your test may be submitted incomplete or with no answers. In the absence of an approved extension, students will receive a mark of zero (or fail) for this assessment, if it is not completed by the scheduled date and time.

Students are reminded that IT support from the university Information and Technology Division (TASAC) is only available during AEST business hours.

Students are advised to refer to the 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)' document for additional university guidelines regarding assessments.

Question responses will be assessed according to your ability:

• to demonstrate sound knowledge of the scope and requirements of cardiac scientists within the context of the current Australian health care system.
• to use appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.
• to appropriately interpret presented sonographic images and cardiac assessment data.
• to succinctly respond with accurate answers.

The following details apply: 

• Perusal time and online test duration will be 130 minutes in total.
• Open book conditions.

Graduate attributes:

• Communication
• Problem solving
• Critical Clinical Thinking
• Information Literacy
• Information Technology Competence Cross Cultural Competence Ethical practice
• Social Innovation