CQUniversity Unit Profile
ECHO28002 Assessment of Cardiac Function
Assessment of Cardiac Function
All details in this unit profile for ECHO28002 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Accurate evaluation of cardiac function is important for clinical decision-making and follow-up assessment. Currently, echocardiography is the most commonly used method to obtain this information. In this unit, you will build on your knowledge of cardiac anatomy and ultrasound applications. You will analyse echocardiographic measurements to assess chamber size, systolic and diastolic function and perform haemodynamic calculations, including intracardiac pressure estimation. You will apply your knowledge to a variety of cardiovascular pathologies and case studies.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: ECHO28001 Cardiac Imaging, Haemodynamics and Pharmacotherapy ANDECHO28007 Cardiac Anatomy and Pathophysiology

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2021

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 40%
2. Case Study
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Online Test
Weighting: 60%
4. Professional Practice Placement
Weighting: Pass/Fail
5. Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books
Weighting: Pass/Fail

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

Students found the delivery order of some weekly content asynchronous.

Recommendation

Content resources and delivery format will be reviewed.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Evaluate cardiac function (including chamber size, systolic and diastolic ventricular function and intracardiac pressures estimation) using echocardiographic derived assessment data and haemodynamic calculations
  2. Compare the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic assessment process and patient management strategy for a variety of cardiovascular disease processes
  3. Demonstrate professional behaviour and communication skills consistent with cardiac sonography practice
  4. Engage in cardiac ultrasound practice as per external accreditation requirements (Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry).

Linked to the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Accreditation Standards for Cardiac Sonography:

Foundation Units of Competence

  • Unit 1: Deliver safe, patient centred service
  • Unit 2: Practice within professional and ethical frameworks
  • Unit 3: Locate, analyse and synthesise information to support evidence based practice
  • Unit 4: Contribute to workplace health and safety and quality assurance
  • Unit 5: Communicate effectively

Critical Practice Unit of Competence

  • Unit 8: Cardiac

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Case Study - 0%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
3 - Online Test - 60%
4 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
5 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Case Study - 0%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
3 - Online Test - 60%
4 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
5 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books - 0%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Kim Prince Unit Coordinator
k.prince@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 12 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Left ventricular size and global systolic function 

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 2, pg 19-46.


Anderson B. Echocardiography : The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements. 3rd ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2017. Chapter 3, pg. 71-73. Chapter 4, pg. 77-78, Chapter 9, pg. 156-166. Chapter 14, pg 277-293.


Lang, R. ASE's Comprehensive Echocardiography. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016. Chapter 29, pg. 120-123.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 19 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Regional left ventricular systolic function 

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 5, p 113-143.


Lang, R. ASE's Comprehensive Echocardiography. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016. Chapter 30, pg. 124-128

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 26 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Physiology of left ventricular diastole

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 3, p 57-85.


Lang, R. ASE's Comprehensive Echocardiography. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016. Chapter 38, pg. 173-175.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 02 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function. 

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 3, pg. 57-85.


Lang, R. ASE's Comprehensive Echocardiography. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016. Chapters 39-44, pg. 175-197.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz 1 opens Thursday 5th August and will close Friday 6th August. 

Week 5 Begin Date: 09 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Left ventricular diastolic function in special populations 

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 3, pg. 57-85.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 16 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

No new content will be presented this week. 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 23 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Right ventricular size and function     

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 2, pg. 46-55.


Lang, R. ASE's Comprehensive Echocardiography. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016. Chapters 32-36, pg. 139-166.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 30 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Right heart pressure estimation    

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 3, pg. 82-85. Chapter 4, pg. 98-105.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Mid term GAPA due Monday 30th August to be submitted online through Moodle by 5:00pm (AEST).

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Strain

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 14, pg. 287-293.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz 2 opens Thursday 9th September  and will close Friday 10th September. 

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Contrast and 3D Echocardiography 

Chapter

See eReading list 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case study due Friday 17th September to be submitted through Moodle by 5:00pm (AEST). 

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Pulmonary Hypertension     

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 4, pg. 96-111.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 27 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Systemic hypertension     

Chapter

Anderson B. A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. 1st ed. Brisbane: Echotext; 2016. Chapter 4, pg. 87-95.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 04 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Revision (no new content) 

Chapter

Nil

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Exam week 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Final online test opens Thursday 14th October 8:00am (AEST) and will close Friday 15th October 8:00pm (AEST).


Clinical Attendance Log book due Friday 15th October to be submitted online via Moodle by 5:00pm (AEST).

Exam Week Begin Date: 18 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Exam week 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

GAPA 2 due Monday 18th October to be submitted online via Moodle by 5:00pm (AEST).


Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator and Contact details

The coordinator for ECHO28002 Assessment of Cardiac Function is Kim Prince. The most efficient and preferred method of contacting Kim is via the Q&A forum located on the unit Moodle site. If your query is of a personal nature, please contact Kim directly via email (k.prince@cqu.edu.au) or phone (07 30234244). Kim's work days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and she is based on the Brisbane campus.


Unit Tutorials

Tutorials for this unit will be delivered 'live' online using ZOOM (the links required for accessing the tutorials are provided on the Moodle site under the virtual classes tab). The tutorials will focus on explaining certain topics in more detail along with answering any student questions and contextualisation of key concepts in preparation for related assessments. Tutorials provide an opportunity for discussion and interaction with other students and with your tutor.


It is important students make the most of these interactive sessions and participate fully in order to broaden knowledge and experience with the course material. To help staff prepare weekly tutorials, please post to the Q&A forum or email the unit coordinator any questions that you might have in relation to the learning material. Note: Tutorials are recorded for educational purposes. Recordings of Zoom tutorials may be uploaded and appear on YouTube, Moodle and Microsoft Teams. If you have any concerns about being recorded please turn off your webcam or audio, or both, during the session. Your participation will signify your consent to the recording and publication for educational purposes. Weekly revision material will be provided.


Lectures are used to present the central information for the week’s study content, outlining the main theories and principles of the topic under consideration. Attempting all provided revision material will help you prepare for your online quiz(zes) and test. No new lecture material will be presented during week 12 of term. This week will be used to prepare for the final assessment.


Please ensure that you review the 'Welcome video' available on the Moodle site for further unit specific information.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz(zes)

Task Description

Each quiz will assess your understanding of the content presented within this unit as outlined below. Questions may be drawn from lectures, additional resources provided (e.g. prescribed readings) or tutorial presentations.


  • Questions will be drawn from a resource bank, to allow tests to be different for each student.
  • Questions may include multiple choice, short answer, or image interpretation format.
  • It is recommended that you have a calculator available when sitting a quiz.


Each quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle at the assigned time. Each online quiz will automatically close and submit completed student answers once the allocated time has elapsed. 

  • Students will have 40 minutes to complete each quiz.
  • Open book conditions.

Once started, each quiz cannot be paused or restarted. Only one attempt per quiz is permitted.

  • The duration of each quiz is tailored to promote recall of fact, rather than research of answers unknown.
  • Students are reminded that IT support from the university Information and Technology Division (TASAC) is only available during AEST business hours.

This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. Colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and may lead to action being taken the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS. Students are advised to refer to the 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework) document for additional university guidelines regarding assessments.


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Quiz 1 will open at 8:00 am (AEST) on Thursday 5th August (Week 4) and will close at 8:00 pm (AEST) Friday 6th August. Quiz 2 will open at 8:00 am (AEST) on Thursday 9th September (Week 8) and will close at 8:00 pm (AEST) Friday 10th September.


Return Date to Students

Individual student results and feedback will be made available within 2 weeks of submissions. The online quiz question pool in its entirety will not be released to students.


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
To PASS this assessment task, a minimum of 50% must be achieved for the combined 'overall' mark from quiz 1 and 2 (i.e. 30/60 marks overall).

Assessment Criteria

Students will be required to answer a variety of online questions.

Question responses will be assessed according to the:

  • use of appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.
  • student’s ability to appropriately interpret presented sonographic images and cardiac assessment data.
  • student's ability to succinctly respond with accurate answers.

The number of marks allocated for each question will be indicated within the quiz. Question marks are allocated based on the accuracy, depth and breath of required responses. Your score from each individual quiz will contribute 20% to your final grade. Thus, your combined score from the quizzes will contribute to 40% of your final unit grade (2 quizzes x 20% = 40%).


  • The specific dates that each quiz opens and closes are outlined in the due description.
  • Please note that the quizzes must be completed before the due date listed.
  • In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five percent per day.
  • Students will receive a mark of zero (or fail) for this assessment, if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time and do not have an extension.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The online quiz(zes) will be accessible through the assessment tab on Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate cardiac function (including chamber size, systolic and diastolic ventricular function and intracardiac pressures estimation) using echocardiographic derived assessment data and haemodynamic calculations


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Case Study

Assessment Title
Case study

Task Description

The purpose of this case study submission is to:

  • Provide the unit coordinator with an opportunity to critically evaluate and moderate student technical performance on cases that they have performed as part of their clinical workload.
  • Facilitate the continued development of student clinical reasoning and to ensure exposure to a variety of clinical cases.
  • Encourage student reflection and self-improvement, of both technical and research skills, pathology knowledge and assessment strategies.

The submitted case study should meet the following descriptive criteria:

  • Ventricular function assessment including comprehensive systolic and diastolic evaluation
  • The case study cannot have normal diastolic function or ejection fraction.

There are two components to this case study submission:

1. Written case study.

2. Accompanying echocardiographic DICOM study.

The student must have completed the majority of the echocardiographic scan submitted (i.e. obtained no less than 60% of the submitted digital clips). Images obtained by the clinical supervisor should be identified in the written case study or on the DICOM digital clips themselves. The student must have performed the submitted case study during the current academic term.

The case study submission should include:

  • Referral details provided by requesting Doctor.
  • Details of expected findings based on clinical indications.
  • Patient care considerations.
  • Brief discussion of any previous imaging or medical testing available.
  • Variations in scanning protocol used, including justification.
  • Identification of study limitations (imaging and/or measurement).
  • Detailed description of study findings and pathology identified, including grading of severity in accordance with ASE guidelines.
  • Discussion of aetiology and pathophysiology.
  • Discussion of appropriate additional investigations indicated (i.e. stress or dobutamine echocardiography, left or right heart catheterisation/angiography, MRI, CTCA etc), including how this could influence patient management. Brief explanation of likely or expected disease progression and patient management (including any follow up consultation or testing details if available at time of case study completion).
  • A copy of the anonymised provisional or final echocardiographic report.
  • Clear identification of any supervisor assistance provided to complete the examination.

The echocardiographic case study presented must be accompanied by the submission of de-identified digital images in DICOM format.

  • All clinical information must be de-identified to protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
  • Time and date stamp along with technical information should be retained on the echocardiographic image display.

If all attempts to de-identify the echocardiography images have failed, the student must request permission from the patient to provide their images to CQUniversity for educational purposes.

  • The patient must provide written consent by completing the form provided on the unit Moodle site.
  • The patient consent form must be submitted with the case study. A detailed marking rubric can be found on the Moodle site. 

This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. Colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and may lead to action being taken the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS.

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


This is a PASS/FAIL assessment. Both components of the case study submission must be passed, to PASS this assessment task overall.

Word count: 1500-2000 words. Word count does not include headings or references but does include diagram explanations and labelling.

Referencing: Vancouver. Minimum 3 peer reviewed journal articles must be cited. Literature titles must be current (<5 years of age), excepting seminal works.


Assessment Due Date

The case can be submitted at any time prior to the Friday 17th September.


Return Date to Students

Individual student results and feedback will be available 2 weeks after submissions.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

Written case study and accompanying echocardiographic DICOM images will be critiqued using a marking rubric available on Moodle. This rubric will evaluate:

  •   The diagnostic quality of the examination performed, in particular, the scan technique and protocol adopted by   the student.
  •   Image optimisation and image selection representative of pathology.
  •   Measurement technique.
  •   Discussion of clinical presentation, aetiology, pathophysiology, echocardiographic findings, patient management   and likely follow-up.
  •   Student's reflective analysis identifying components of the scan that could have been improved.
  •   Ability to construct a scholarly report that is succinct and demonstrates appropriate application of scientific and   language conventions.
  •   Referencing.

Case studies submitted without accompanying echcoardiographic DICOM images will not be marked, and will automatically be awarded a FAIL grade.


Submissions not up to standard, will be returned to the student with appropriate feedback. Only one opportunity for resubmission will be provided if the first submission is deemed a FAIL.

  • From the time of feedback provision, failing students will be provided with 2 weeks to resubmit case study.
  • Failed students may be asked to resubmit further imaging exemplars and/or an amended written submission, dependent upon deficits identified in the first submission.
  • Should the imaging component need to be re-submitted, the second submission does not need to be from the same patient.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The case study DICOM images are to be loaded into a 'folder' created by the student on google drive, and shared with the unit coordinator through the provision of a link. The written case study component must be uploaded through the assessment tab on Moodle as a 'word' document. The 'Google folder URL link' details should be clearly displayed on the front page of the assessment submission. Both the 'Google folder' and the 'word' document must be appropriately labelled with student name, student number and descriptor (E.g. 'John SMITH_S12345_Case Study').

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate cardiac function (including chamber size, systolic and diastolic ventricular function and intracardiac pressures estimation) using echocardiographic derived assessment data and haemodynamic calculations
  • Compare the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic assessment process and patient management strategy for a variety of cardiovascular disease processes


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online test

Task Description

This online test will assess your understanding of the content presented within this unit. Questions may be drawn from content presented in lectures, additional resources provided (e.g. prescribed readings) and tutorial presentations.

  • This online test carries a 60% weighting toward final unit grade
  • Perusal time and online test duration will be 130 minutes in total.
  • Open book conditions.
  • It is recommended that you have a calculator available when sitting the online test.

Once started, the online test cannot be paused or restarted. Only one attempt is permitted.

  •  The online test will automatically close and submit completed student answers once the allocated time has elapsed.
  •  The duration of this test is tailored to promote recall of fact, rather than research of answers unknown.

Students will be required to answer a variety of online questions. Questions:

  •   may include multiple choice, short answer, essay style or image interpretation format.
  •   will be drawn from a resource bank, to allow tests to be different for each student.

Students will be required to be familiar with both normal and pathological echocardiographic and anatomical images. Students are reminded that IT support from the university Information and Technology Division (TASAC) is only available during AEST business hours.


It is recommended that the online test is completed during business hours. 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 you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time and do not have an extension. This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. Colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct and may lead to action being taken the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS.


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


Assessment Due Date

Online final test will open on Thursday 14th October at 8:00am (AEST) and close Friday 15th October 8:00pm (AEST). The online test question pool in its entirety will not be released to students.


Return Date to Students

Individual student results and feedback will be made 2 weeks post submissions.


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
To PASS this assessment task, a minimum of 50% must be achieved.

Assessment Criteria

Students will be required to answer a variety of online questions.

Questions:

  • Will be drawn from a resource bank
  • may include short answer, essay style, multiple choice or film viewing questions
  • will require students to be familiar with both normal and pathological echocardigraphic and anatomical images

Question responses will be assessed according to the:

  •  use of appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.
  •  student’s ability to appropriately interpret presented sonographic images and cardiac assessment data.
  •  student's ability to succinctly respond with accurate answers.

The number of marks allocated for each question will be indicated within the online test. Question marks are allocated based on the accuracy, depth and breath of required responses.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The online test will be accessible through the assessment tab on Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate cardiac function (including chamber size, systolic and diastolic ventricular function and intracardiac pressures estimation) using echocardiographic derived assessment data and haemodynamic calculations
  • Compare the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic assessment process and patient management strategy for a variety of cardiovascular disease processes


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

4 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Global Assessment of Professional Attributes (GAPA)

Task Description

Clinical placement occurs in the professional workplace. As a clinical student it is important that you demonstrate behaviours and attributes of a healthcare professional and present a positive image to the clinical facility's staff and clients.


This assessment considers your ability to communicate professionally with a diverse cultural audience of patients, staff and the general public, demonstrate professional respect for all, and function as a reliable, well organised member of the health team.

  •   Your clinical supervisor, or delegate, will be working in the echocardiography lab with you, directly observing your day-to-day performance.
  •   These observations and collected feedback relate to your demonstrated knowledge, skills and behaviours over a span of time, not limited to a particular scan type or patient case.

The observations and feedback are then used to complete the Global Assessment of Professional Attributes (GAPA) form provided, with your clinical supervisor grading your performance, and identifying areas of strength and weakness.
The GAPA form can be downloaded from the Moodle site. 


There are three main sections to the GAPA form:

Section 1: Initiative and Communication

Section 2: Responsibility and Demeanour

Section 3: Overall Technical Knowledge and Skill.


The GAPA 'Overall technical knowledge and skill behavioural attributes' critiques need to be evaluated within the context of the practical competency level that the students must attain at the end of unit enrolment.

For ECHO28002 this is a competency level of ‘beginner’. At beginner competency level, a cardiac sonographer requires frequent direction (some 60% or less of the time).


Your assessor is also encouraged to provide comments to expand on the scoring feedback.

  •   For any behaviour that you score well on at the mid-placement assessment, it is expected that you will continue to meet that level of performance or surpass it for the rest of the placement.
  •   At the midpoint GAPA, the student should be given sufficient formative feedback to improve their behavioural performance as required.
  •   Any significant issues should be brought to the attention of the unit coordinator following the midpoint GAPA (or earlier if required).

If minimum scores in the mid-placement GAPA are not met, you will be regarded as a 'Student at Risk' of failing this unit overall.

  • The unit coordinator will contact you to advise you of the risk of failing this unit and provide formative feedback via email.
  • You must respond to this email to show you understand the implications of this information.
  • You will be required to reflect on your performance and the feedback provided, and to develop an action plan to address any areas of performance that are not yet at the target level for this placement and use the remaining weeks to achieve those targets.
  • Review of your progress will be completed a short time after the mid placement GAPA, or at any time as requested by your supervisor or unit coordinator.

Note: If behavioural attributes within any section of the GAPA are deemed a 'patient safety risk', student enrolment within this unit may be cancelled after just one GAPA.


Assessment Due Date

GAPA 1 due Monday 30th August 5:00pm AEST. GAPA 2 due Monday 18th October 5:00pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Individual student results and feedback will be made 2 weeks post submissions.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
To PASS, the student must receive an overall score of 34 marks or more, from a potential of 56 marks, and additionally is not permitted any scores of 0.

Assessment Criteria

For each section of the GAPA form, your assessor will score your clinical performance based on how frequently and to what extent you demonstrate each of the listed behaviours. The clinical supervisor will allocate a score of 0,1 or 2.

  •   A score of 0 indicates that the student does not demonstrate this behavioural attribute or demonstrates it in an unacceptable manner.
  •   A score of 1 indicates that the student demonstrates this behaviour attribute but needs some improvement.
  •   A score of 2 indicates that the student consistently demonstrates this behaviour attribute (>70% of the time) to a high level.

For each of the behavioural attributes listed, the supervisor must score the student based on their day-in, day-out performance in the department. If the student’s behaviour has significantly changed during the assessment period, supervisors should score behaviour based on the most recent two weeks and provide an explanatory comment on the GAPA form.

The end-of-unit GAPA assessment is summative. It is designed to evaluate student learning and professional behaviour at the conclusion of an instructional period.

Unsatisfactory scores obtained at the second GAPA attempt, will result in a FAIL grade for unit overall.

This assessment is marked out of 56.

To PASS, the student must receive an overall score of 34 marks or more, from a potential of 56 marks, and additionally is not permitted any scores of 0.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Both GAPA forms must be uploaded through the assessment tab on Moodle as separate 'PDF' documents. Each 'PDF' document must be appropriately labelled with student name, student number and descriptor (E.g. 'John SMITH_S12345_GAPA MID TERM)

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour and communication skills consistent with cardiac sonography practice


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

5 Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books

Assessment Title
Clinical Attendance Log book

Task Description

Students must maintain access to suitable clinical experience for the duration of the course enrolment. In accordance with the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Program Accreditation Guidelines, it is recommended that students be engaged in cardiac ultrasound practice for a minimum of three days/week over a two-year period, fulltime equivalent, in an Australian or New Zealand clinical setting (minus standard leave privileges).


Clinical experience is the component of sonographer education that allows students to put theoretical knowledge into practice within the patient care environment. It includes, but is not limited to, the hospital setting, and may include general practice, remote and rural health clinics, and community care environments.

A clinical attendance log book submission can be requested at any point during course enrolment, at the discretion of the university course coordinator. 


This assessment task requires the submission of a Clinical Attendance Log Book, detailing clinical attendance since course enrolment.

  •   All hours spent in attendance within the echocardiography laboratory (either observing, participating, or performing related activities) must be documented.
  •   These hours must be signed off on and approved by your ASAR registered clinical supervisor or appropriately qualified medical practitioner, verifying the accuracy of entries.
  •   A student is required complete a total of 2200 hours of clinical attendance prior to graduation and ASAR registration as a qualified sonographer.
  •   It is recommended that a student complete a minimum of 270 hours of clinical attendance per term of course enrolment.

A template for the Clinical Attendance Log Book is supplied in a word document format on the Moodle site. Students were supplied this same Clinical Attendance Log Book at the time of course enrolment.

The word document is designed to facilitate easy electronic submission at various checkpoints throughout unit and course enrolment. The clinical supervisor's digital signature can be used to verify authenticity of entries on the word document.

Alternatively, the word document can be printed, manually completed and scanned to a digital file format for submission.


Assessment Due Date

The clinical attendance log book is due Friday 15th October by 5:00pm AEST submitted online through Moodle.


Return Date to Students

Individual student results and feedback will be made 2 weeks post submissions.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

This is a PASS/FAIL assessment.

To be awarded a PASS, all documentation must be completed and submitted by the corresponding due date and time.

The Clinical Attendance Log Book will be reviewed to ensure that:

  •  hours of attendance have been documented appropriately
  •  leave from clinical practice has been documented appropriately


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The Clinical Attendance Log Book must be uploaded through the assessment tab on Moodle as a single 'PDF' document. The 'PDF' document must be appropriately labelled with student name, student number and descriptor (E.g. 'John SMITH_S12345_Clinical Attendance Log Book').

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform diagnostic echocardiographic scans under the guidance and mentorship of a qualified cardiac sonographer.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?