This test will be an online test performed in-class with closed book conditions at the campus of your enrolment. It will examine all content from weeks 1 to 5 inclusive.

The test will examine the theory and application of content and haemodynamic concepts taught in lectures, discussed in tutorial delivery and practised in the simulated laboratory setting. Questions may require you to perform mathematical calculations, interpret patient data, illustrate concepts or provide explanations and discussions. Questions similar in style to those found in the in-class test are provided in the haemodynamic workbook and in weekly revision material on the Moodle site. Question examples will also be discussed during the tutorial and laboratory sessions to help prepare for this assessment task.

This in-class test will assess the students' ability to :

• differentiate and discuss the aetiology, pathophysiology and echocardiographic assessment processes associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases
• analyse case-based clinical information to formulate differential diagnoses
• interrogate measurements supplied
• accurately apply appropriate haemodynamic calculations and interpret resulting values
• demonstrate clinical reasoning
• use appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.

This test will be 150 minutes duration and comprises 50% of the final unit grade. You will require a simple calculator (not a scientific calculator) for this test.

This test will be conducted at campus of enrolment, under examination conditions as detailed in the CQU Assessment Procedures. The test must be performed at the timetabled date and time. As per the Assessment Procedures, this task is to be completed during a defined period. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty. If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 30 minutes after the start of the test; you will still be required to submit your test at the preset completion time. You will not be allowed entry more than 30 minutes after the test starts. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero (0) for the assessment if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time.

This test will be an online test performed in-class with closed book conditions at the campus of your enrolment. It will examine all content from weeks 6 to 12 inclusive.

The test will examine the theory and application of content and haemodynamic concepts taught in lectures, discussed in tutorial delivery and practised in the simulated laboratory setting. Questions may require you to perform mathematical calculations, interpret patient data, illustrate concepts or provide explanations and discussions. Questions similar in style to those found in the in-class test are provided in the haemodynamic workbook and in weekly revision material on the Moodle site. Question examples will also be discussed during the tutorial and laboratory sessions to help prepare for this assessment task.

This in-class test will assess the students' ability to :

• differentiate and discuss the aetiology, pathophysiology and echocardiographic assessment processes associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases
• analyse case-based clinical information to formulate differential diagnoses
• interrogate measurements supplied
• accurately apply appropriate haemodynamic calculations and interpret resulting values
• demonstrate clinical reasoning
• use appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.

This test will be 180 minutes duration and comprises 50% of the final unit grade. You will require a simple calculator (not a scientific calculator) for this test.

This test will be conducted at campus of enrolment, under examination conditions as detailed in the CQU Assessment Procedures. The test must be performed at the timetabled date and time. As per the Assessment Procedures, this task is to be completed during a defined period. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty. If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 30 minutes after the start of the test; you will still be required to submit your test at the preset completion time. You will not be allowed entry more than 30 minutes after the test starts. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero (0) for the assessment if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time.

The allocated number of marks for each question is indicated on the test paper. Marks are allocated based on accuracy, depth and breadth of the required response.

The Echocardiographic Skills Assessment is comprised of two parts— Part A 'Practical' and Part B 'Measurement Performance and Interpretation'— and involves completing an echocardiogram, image interpretation and measurement performance.

This practical assessment has been developed with consideration of the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition¹, 2021 Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers² and the best practice guidelines published by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)³.

Students enrolled in ECHO13006 are working towards attainment of Advanced Beginner level of competency. Students enter this unit with prior cardiac ultrasound imaging experience (including 2D, Mmode, colour and spectral Doppler), and familiarity with cardiac anatomy/physiology and some common cardiac pathologies.

Students will upskill at different rates during lab delivery. Those that engage in all compulsory tuition and practice sessional offerings (manned and unmanned), and who make time for reflective practice, are more likely to achieve success. In conjunction with practical skills training in simulation, students accumulate theoretical knowledge about comprehensive echocardiographic assessment and measurement application through unit enrolment. This information needs to be mentally accessible to achieve skill acquisition and enable correct measurement performance.

At this stage of practical training, students are growing in confidence. Students are scanning more intuitively, protocol recall is automatic, and focus is on refining techniques and improving proficiency. Students are exploring application of the Pedof probe and are more aware of their own limitations, knowing what they should and ‘can do’. Time management is less of a problem during scanning performance and students will simultaneously aim to perfect image orientation, optimisation, and acquisition. Students less frequently struggle to hold the underlying 2D image as they add other imaging modalities. Students are constructing links between mechanical and electrical events, colour blood flow patterns and displayed spectral Doppler waveforms. Students are aware of scan limitations and are integrating learned knowledge in to simulated practice.

Students are more aware of measurement limitations and know what they should and ‘can do’. Case studies are employed in tutor discussions— incorporating pathology presentation and challenging students to measure, quantify and interpret echocardiographic examination outcomes. Students are beginning to make connections between assessment outcomes and clinical presentation of patients in the simulated context, in preparation for clinical practice. While measurement skills learnt previously are more likely to be performed proficiently, students may struggle with time management as they integrate interpretation requirements which necessitate performance of simple calculations and reference to best practice guidelines. Representative image storage and outcome transcription is more likely to be accurate, with students intuitively paying attention to detail.

Satisfactory practical skills must be demonstrated in ECHO13006 to permit skills transfer and scaffolding in subsequent clinical placement units. In particular, students must be scanning and performing offline measurements proficiently and to an adequate competence level to ensure patient safety and accurate diagnostic test outcomes. Knowledge and skills learnt in ECHO13006 are assumed in subsequent clinical placement units and will continue to be built upon as students work toward graduation.

2. Childs, Jessie; Thoirs, Kerry; Osborne, Brooke; Halligan, Toni; Stoodley, Paul; Quinton, Ann; et al. (2021): Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers. figshare. Online resource. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17148035.v2

3. American Society of Echocardiography. Organization of professionals committed to excellence in cardiovascular ultrasound [Internet]. Asecho.org. 2022 [cited 6 January 2022]. Available from: https://www.asecho.org/

PART A - Practical

Part A of the Echocardiography Skills Assessment incorporates both a Professional and Technical component and requires students to perform a comprehensive 2D, colour and spectral Doppler echocardiographic examination using ultrasound equipment.

The student will have 60 minutes in total to complete both professional and technical components:

• 5 minutes to complete the professional component
• 55 minutes to complete the ECHO13006 2D, colour and spectral Doppler imaging protocol.

Professional Component

The Professional component of the assessment evaluates performance aspects of the sonographic exam such as communication (verbal, non-verbal, and written), professional behaviour, ergonomics, and patient care skills. This is an assessment of pre-scan, scanning, and post-scan skills.

Technical Component

The Technical component of the assessment evaluates the students’ scanning technique, image optimisation, and ability to complete a comprehensive Echocardiogram within a reasonable set time to a ‘Advanced Beginner level’ of competency.

• The ARC tool details both the required imaging sequence and performance criteria cues.
• Except for panning or sector sweeps, which are critiqued live or via video recording moderation, the collection of images stored by the student represent the echocardiographic examination performed.
• At the end of the examination the supervising tutor will acquire a variety of representative images. These images will be labelled as ‘acquired by tutor’ and will be used during marking and moderation to ascertain achievable image quality.

PART B - Interpretation and Measurement Performance

Part B of the Echocardiography Skills Assessment incorporates both a Measurement Performance and Interpretation component. Students are required to accurately interpret echocardiographic images and measurement outcomes, in addition to accurately performing their own echocardiography measurements offline using discipline specific analysis software.

Students have 50 minutes to complete both the measurement performance and interpretation components, to save appropriate images to a labelled folder, and to transcribe measurement or interpretation outcomes onto the worksheet provided.

Measurement Performance Component

The Measurement Performance component requires students to apply best practice guidelines when undertaking routine measurements on echocardiographic images using Q-Station discipline specific software. Students are required to save measurement images to a desktop folder and transcribe these measurements onto a provided worksheet replicating clinical documentation.

• Students are required to perform measurements. The ARC tool details measurements that must be attempted and performance criteria cues.
• Students must transcribe these measurements onto a provided worksheet replicating clinical documentation.
• The collection of images stored by the student represent the measurement examination performed.

Interpretation Component

The Interpretation component requires students to evaluate and interpret echocardiography images presented using Q-station discipline specific software. Students are required to:

• Recall common reference ranges for cardiac chamber quantification, systolic function evaluation and right heart pressure estimation.
• Apply ASE Diastolic Function Algorithms (a copy of which will be supplied under assessment conditions).
• Recognise limitations of provided images and measurements.
• Document interpretation using discipline specific conventions, including rationale, onto a provided worksheet replicating clinical reporting.

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

• In the absence of an approved extension, this assessment cannot be completed at a later time.
• Students will receive a FAIL for this assessment if it is not completed by the scheduled date and time and there is no approved extension.
• Should a student FAIL there will be only ONE opportunity to re-sit the failed component of the assessment item.

THIS IS A PASS/FAIL ASSESSMENT. Students will be assessed using the:

• Part A Practical Assessment of Readiness for Clinical (ARC) Tool
• Part B Interpretation and Measurement Performance ARC Tool

Students are advised to carefully review these documents which are available on the unit Moodle site.

PART A - Practical

To pass Part A of this assessment, a student must be deemed competent in both the Professional and Technical components.

• To pass the Professional and Technical component, all criteria must be demonstrated.

The Professional and Technical components are graded separately so that if one is passed and the other is not, only the failed component must be repeated to pass.

There is only ONE opportunity to re-sit either component of this assessment item.

PART B - Measurement Performance and Interpretation

To pass this assessment, a student must be deemed competent in both the Measurement Performance and Interpretation components.

• To pass the Measurement Performance and Interpretation component, all criteria must be demonstrated.
• If multiple images of a single measurement are saved, only the image corresponding to the measurement transcribed on the worksheet will be assessed.

The Measurement Performance and Interpretation components are graded in combination so that if failed, both components of assessment Part B must be repeated to pass.

There is only ONE opportunity to re-sit this assessment item.

MOCK Examination

Students will be provided with a single opportunity to attempt the Echocardiography Skills Assessment under MOCK examination conditions.

The MOCK assessment will be delivered as part of the routine laboratory sessions. There is no opportunity for rescheduling of missed laboratory sessions.

• Individual feedback will be provided to students after completing the MOCK assessments.
• Scanning feedback will be provided verbally by the tutor supervising each individual student MOCK practical scanning assessment.
• Students will receive a completed MOCK Part A (Practical) ARC tool and MOCK Part B (Measurement Performance and Interpretation) ARC tool following moderation.

Part A (Practical) of the Echocardiography Skills Assessment will be video 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 assessments. Students must additionally make themselves available for re-sit assessments if requested by the unit coordinator.

The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that students from the echocardiography course are well-equipped to embody the high standards of professionalism that are expected from CQUniversity students while on their upcoming clinical placements.

Professional behaviour is a critical part of any medical imaging profession and encompasses the manner in which we treat our colleagues, patients and the professional setting and equipment provided to us.

This assessment will require students to treat each of the lab sessions as a scheduled "work shift" and to exhibit high quality professional attributes. This is to ensure students are adequately prepared to enter the work force with the skills required to provide safe patient care and professional behaviour.

• This assessment is based on a continuous and ongoing evaluation of student application and attendance during labs and behaviour exhibited during the time spent studying this unit, up until the completion of all formal assessments.
• This includes participation in forums and online tutorials, labs, social media etiquette, phone calls, attitude toward peers and staff, and all official correspondence with university staff, peers and the community.

1. A signed Lab Agreement Form
2. A signed Consent Form - Sonographic Examination for Teaching Purposes
3. A completed and signed Professional Behaviour Assessment Rubric form
4. A completed Lab Attendance Page

Absenteeism

Skills labs for this unit are mandatory. Students must advise the unit coordinator before the start of compulsory labs if unable to attend - failure to notify staff (email or phone) before the start of a missed lab will result in a LiP (Lapse in Professionalism) except in extraordinary circumstances. Labs missed for a valid reason (eg. illness or injury) require supporting documentation. There is no opportunity to 'make up' missed lab sessions. Medical or health-related certificates must be in the approved formats articulated in the CQUniversity Assessment Policy and Procedure (HE Coursework), section 5.

Any missed labs must be clearly marked on the Lab Attendance Page and Reflective Feedback Form. A tutor's signature is not required.

This assessment is marked using the Professional Behaviour Assessment (PBA) rubric and incorporates any Lapse in Professionalism (LiP). To pass this unit students need to achieve 12/15 or higher for the PBA and can receive a maximum of three LiPs across all descriptors. If a fourth LiP is issued, the maximum mark achievable would be 11/15 and the assessment will be graded as a FAIL.

All interactions with staff and peers pertaining to this unit will be treated as a replica of the clinical work environment. Students are expected to demonstrate all of the professional behaviour that will be expected in a formal work environment.

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 be sure of behavioural expectations. Students should be familiar with the Code of Conduct in the Lab Manual as well as the ASA Code of Conduct and the CQU Code of Conduct. All of these documents are posted on the unit Moodle site.

If unprofessional attitude or behaviour is reported by fellow classmates and not witnessed by a staff member, a written warning detailing the allegations will be issued to the student. The student's response will be documented. If further evidence of an ongoing unprofessional behaviour arises then a LiP may be awarded. Any lack of professionalism display in the use of unmanned practice bookings will result in an automatic LiP (eg. changing the booking of another student without consent, or accessing labs in excess of allocated entitlements).

If any exhibited attitude or behaviour is deemed as unsafe or inappropriate for clinical practice, the professional behaviour assessment will be graded as a FAIL at the discretion of the unit coordinator. Exemplary professional behaviour is highly valued by clinical supervisors. This information may be used to endorse students for placements if requested by clinical sites.

• To obtain a 'PASS' all documentation must be completed correctly and submitted by the due date and time.
• No more than three (3) Lapses in Professionalism are permitted to pass the unit.
• All documents must be legible, labelled appropriately and uploaded in PDF format.

The ability to set goals, self-reflect and adopt feedback are tools to aid the progress of knowledge and skill development. These abilities also address industry requirements, whereby professionals must perform continuing professional development (CPD) activities. Students are to develop goal-setting, reflection and feedback skills through weekly activities.

This assessment will require students to complete and submit the following forms, available on the Moodle site:

• Seven (7) Formative Feedback Forms (one for each laboratory session); each form must include self-reflection and goal-setting, tutor feedback and signature.
• The Mock Assessment Reflection Form; this form must include reflection on areas of strength and areas for improvements in preparation for the Echocardiography Skills Assessment.

• To obtain a 'PASS' all documentation must be completed correctly and submitted by the due date and time.
• All documents must be legible, labelled appropriately and uploaded in PDF format.