Word count: 1000 words +/- 10%. Reference list excluded.

Combining electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram findings is useful in the diagnostic pathway. Students are to submit an academically researched and referenced essay discussing left atrial (LA) enlargement, including ECG and echocardiographic findings. LA enlargement is commonly seen in patients with the use of echocardiography. LA enlargement may occur in response to a pressure or volume overload of the LA, and is often associated with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Include in your essay:

• Characteristic findings of LA enlargement, as observed with a standard 12-Lead ECG during sinus rhythm
• Characteristic findings of LA enlargement, as observed with a 2-dimensional echocardiogram
• Description of recommended echocardiographic assessment techniques used to quantify LA size, including absolute and indexed reference ranges for normal LA size, appropriate measurement units, and (a minimum of one) imaging caveat for each technique described
• Identification of (a minimum of three) related cardiac abnormalities associated with LA enlargement that are detected by 2-dimensional echocardiography, and explain why they are likely to be associated with LA enlargement
• Describe the association of LA enlargement with AF, and explain why these abnormalities are significant factors for thromboembolic stroke
• Discuss common pharmaceutical interventions used to mitigate the risk of thromboembolic stroke, as caused by LA enlargement and AF
• Include an example of a standard 12-Lead ECG of AF, and provide an explanation of the defining features of the rhythm

Referencing

Use Vancouver referencing style throughout your essay, with one reference list at the end. Your response must be supported by references. It is expected that you research your response and follow Vancouver referencing style accurately. A minimum of five recent (within the last five years) academic references from peer-reviewed journals must be cited, excepting seminal works. Academic integrity is mandatory, with all potential breaches to be managed in line with CQUnversity's 2019 Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. The CQUniversity Library Guide for using Health and Medical Databases may assist you in getting started on this assessment.

Marks will be awarded according to the rubric. Please utilise the following documents available on the Moodle page:

• Written assessment template
• Marking rubric
  

You will be assessed on your ability to:

• Locate and critically evaluate information
  
• Recognise pertinent professional information
• Describe practical aspects of electrocardiography and echocardiography
• Produce a referenced, scholarly essay

The ability to correctly analyse and interpret a 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) is crucial in a professional cardiac diagnostic role. Comprehensive ECG analysis and interpretation can provide vital information about the nature and location of heart disease. Students are to correctly analyse and interpret a series of 12-Lead ECGs in accordance with the Stepwise Method (10 minutes perusal + 60 minutes test). Please utilise the following document:

• Stepwise Method of ECG Interpretation

A PASS must be obtained to pass this unit overall. To be awarded a PASS, a student must demonstratrate a 'Novice Level' of competency (60% grade). Students will be prepared for this assessment through lectures, tutorials, and provision of revision tasks in a similar format during the unit delivery. Students are advised to refer to CQUniversity's Grades and Results Policy and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework) for additional guidelines regarding assessments.

The in-class test will occur in Week 6 Monday 20th April. Time and room location will be announced via the unit Moodle page. In the absence of an approved extension, this assessment cannot be completed at a later time. Students will receive a mark of zero or FAIL for this assessment if not completed at the scheduled date and time. Students are advised to refer to the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework) for additional guidelines regarding assessments.

You will be assessed on your ability to:

• Determine cardiac rhythm, rate, and axis
• Identify common abnormalities in the ECG complex
• Identify common arrhythmia(s)
• Utilise correct terminology in interpreting ECG waveforms, segments, intervals, and associated anomalies

The ability to acquire, optimise, and interpret 2-dimensional (2D) and M-mode echocardiographic images is crucial in a professional cardiac sonography role. Students are to perform a complete echocardiogram practical skills test (2D and M-mode) and QLab measurement assessment.

Professional and technical scanning requirements are discussed in the unit Lab Manual, lab sessions, lectures, and tutorials. This is a PASS/FAIL assessment. To be awarded a PASS, a student must demonstratrate a 'Novice Level' of competency (60% grade). Components are as follows:

Echocardiogram practical skills test (Part A):

• Professional (pre-scan, during, and post scan) requirements
• Apply correct patient care techniques and effective communication to obtain relevant patient history, informed consent, and to direct patients accordingly
• Apply professionalism in dealing with equipment and the scanning setting
• Technical (scannning) requirements for an echocardiographic study
• Demonstrate appropriate echocardiographic scanning technique, image optimisation, and acquisition, in a reasonable time period to a 'Novice Level' of competency. A scanning time limit of ONE HOUR will be applied to image acquisition
• Students will be assessed using the Assessment of Readiness for Clinical tool: Scanning and Professional Behaviour ARC Tool - students are advised to carefully review this document

QLab measurements test (Part B):

• Perform a series of offline measurements using the QLab workstations. A time limit of 35 MINUTES will be applied to perform and save measurements
• Students will be assessed using the Assessment of Readiness for Clinical tool: QLab Measurement ARC Tool - students are advised to carefully review this document

Professional and technical components of Part A are graded seperately, so that if a PASS is awarded for one and the other is not, only the component that was a FAIL must be repeated. I.e. If a student is awarded a FAIL for the Part A professional component only, the full practical scanning assessment will repeated, but the student will be marked on the professional component only. There is only ONE opportunity to re-sit either component of this assessment item.

In the absence of an approved extension, students cannot complete this assessment at a later time, and will be awarded a FAIL for this assessment. Students who are ill and cannot attend the assessment on the scheduled day must notify the Unit Coordinator and local campus satff before the start of their assessment for the assessment to be postponed to another day. Medical or health-related certificates must be in the approved formats as articulated in the CQUniversity Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework), under Section 5.

Test dates: Week 10 Wednesday 20th and Friday 22nd May (schedule to be released during term - ALL students must be available during these days).

Re-sit test dates: Week 12 Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th June (schedule to be released during term - ALL students must be available during these days).

To pass this assessment, all components of the practical skills test and QLab test must be awarded a PASS. To be awarded a PASS, the student must:

• Achieve 60% of available marks in the Part A professional component AND all bolded items
• Achieve 60% of available marks in the Part A technical component
• Achieve 60% of available marks in the Part B QLab measurements component

Students will be assessed using the:

• Scanning and Professional Behaviour ARC Tool
• QLab Measurement ARC Tool

Students are advised to carefully review these documents. In the event that a student does not achieve a minimum of 60% or higher, or FAIL one of the Part A professional component bolded items, the student will be given one opportunity to re-sit the technical, professional and/or QLab components (whichever is applicable) in Week 12. I.e. If a student is awarded a FAIL for the Part A professional component only, the full practical scanning assessment will repeated, but the student will be marked on the professional component only.

Assessments will be recorded for moderation purposes. The videos will not be released to students for review.

ALL students are required to make themselves available to act as a patient model for peer assessment if requested by the Unit Coordinator. This includes the test, and re-sit test.

High standards of professional behaviour are a critical part of the medical imaging profession, and includes the intereactions with colleagues, patients, wider professional setting, as well as use of technical equipment. Attending labs, demonstrating professionalism (refer to the ASA Code of Conduct and CQUniversity Code of Conduct), and adhering to workplace guidelines (including the CQUniversity Echocardiography Dress Code) are required for success in the medical imaging profession. The purpose of this assessment is to prepare students for professional behaviour, attendance, and documentation responsibilities whilst on clinical placement.

This assessment will require you to complete the following documentation as set forth in the ECHO12006 Lab Manual:

• Lab Agreement form to be signed and uploaded by Week 1 Friday 13th March
• Consent form to be signed and uploaded by Week 1 Friday 13th March
• Professional Behaviour rubric to be uploaded by Week 12 Friday 5th June
• Lab Attendance form to be uploaded by Week 12 Friday 5th June

Students must upload all of the required documentation for this assessment by the due date and time to be awarded a PASS. If you are absent from a skills lab, please indicate the reason for this yourself on the Formative Feedback form (Assessment 5).

In the workplace, it is imperative that colleagues and patients who are depending on a health care professional are aware of whether the professional will be attending their workplace, or not. Labs missed for a valid reason require supporting documentation, and students are advised to contact the Unit Coordinator and local campus staff to notify staff of the missed lab. Any lab missed without a valid reason and supporting documentation and/or prior approval will will result in the award of a Lapse in Professionalism (LiP), as outlined in the Professional Behaviour rubric and Lab Attendance Form. A maximum of three LiPs can be awarded without unit penalty. If a fourth LiP is awarded, the assessment task will be graded as a FAIL.

Skills labs for this unit are mandatory. You must notify the Unit Coordinator and local campus staff of your absence/illness before the start of compulsory labs. Failure to notify staff before the start of a lab will result in the award of a Lapse in Professionalism (LiP), as outlined in the Professional Behaviour rubric and Lab Attendance Form. Medical or health-related certificates must be in the approved formats as articulated in the CQUniversity Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework), under Section 5.

This assessment is marked using the Professional Behaviour Assessment (PBA) rubric and incorporates lapses in professionalism (LiPs). To pass this unit, you need to achieve 12/15 for your PBA, and can receive a maximum of three LiPs across all descriptors. I.e. If a fourth Lip is issued, the maximum mark would be 11/15 and the assessment will be graded as a FAIL. LiPs can be issued in three different categories:
1. Professional behaviour towards colleagues and staff
2. Professional behaviour towards patients
3. Professional behaviour towards professional setting and equipment
An additional explanatory document is available on the Moodle site regarding 'Expected Professional Behaviour and LiP Allocation'. Students are encouraged to review this information to ensure understanding of expectations regarding professional behaviour. To be awarded a PASS, all documentation must be completed and submitted on or before the corresponding due date and time. No more than THREE lapses in professionalism are permitted to PASS this unit.

The ability to self-reflect is important for developing knowledge and skills, as well as to meet industry standards for continuing professional development. Students are to develop self-reflection skills through weekly goal setting and progression analysis. This assessment will require you to upload six completed Formative Feedback forms (one form for each lab conducted in term Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 6, and Week 7) with signature from a Tutor, and a completed Mock ARC Tool (conducted in Week 8, on Wednesday 6th or Thursday 7th May - students must be available on these days).

Formative Feedback forms must be completed before leaving at the end of each lab session, as this reflects the professional requirement to complete the required documentation after a patient's test, and have appropriate tasks signed by a clinical supervisor.

You must upload all of the required documentation for this assessment by the due date to obtain a PASS.

In the case of absence from a lab, students must indicate the reason for the absence on the Formative Feedback form (signature from a Tutor not required). Please note details under Assessment 3: Professional Behaviour Assessment which outlines the procedures for lab absences.

You will be assessed on your ability to:

• Provide and receive peer feedback
• Apply goal setting strategies
• Develop self-reflection skills

To obtain a PASS, all documentation must be completed and submitted on or before the corresponding due date and time.