Overview
This unit advances your study of obstetric ultrasound. You will explore the sonographic assessment of normal and pathological obstetric and gynaecological cases. 'Hands-on' scanning sessions facilitate the identification of normal sonographic appearance. Clinical scenarios are used to engage you in the sonographic decision-making process which culminates in the creation of a sonographers' interpretive report.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: MEDS12006 Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1
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 1 - 2017
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).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate 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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Student emails and course evaluation.
Use of play-dough models to assist with teaching of embryological development was well received.
Continue (and perhaps expand on) use of these models.
Play-dough models are still being used with good feedback from students.
Feedback from Course evaluation.
Some students found the explanation of the Practical & Written Assessment item difficult to follow.
A video and extensive information were provided in the Course Profile prior to the start of term. Revise the information in the Course Profile, specifically for Part A of the assessment.
Assessment was altered to remove a large written component. Students rated the assessment as more useful to their learning than previous years (it was more practically based). Suggest keeping this model. A small number of students still provided feedback that they did not find the assessment was explained well. Suggest redoing the lab manuals in a different format.
- Discuss the clinical presentation, sonographic appearance and aetiology of pathological processes of the gravid uterus and fetal development.
- Analyse normal and abnormal fetal development with reference to embryological development and laboratory findings.
- Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce a sonographic report.
- Formulate strategies for the provision of safe and ethical patient care.
- Apply sonographic techniques appropriate to obstetric ultrasound to produce a limited morphology study in a simulated environment.
The learning outcomes for this unit relate to the requirements of the Australian Sonographers Association Competency Standards for the Entry Level Sonographer as listed here.
Unit 1 -3, 10.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Examination - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - 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 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Examination - 60% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Obstetrics & Gynecology
Edition: 3rd (2012)
Authors: Susan Raatz Stephenson
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9781608311170
Binding: Hardcover
Workbook for Diagnostic Medical Sonography: A Guide to Clinical Practice Obstetrics and Gynecology
Edition: 3rd (2012)
Authors: Hall-Terracciano Barbara & Susan Raatz Stephenson
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9781608311804
Binding: Hardcover
Additional Textbook Information
Students who have completed MEDS12006 (a prerequisite to this course) will already have purchased this text and workbook in their second year.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
d.chester@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Week 1: The Fetal Environment
Chapter
Chapter 17 p 393-422
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lab Safety Induction
06 March 2017
COMPULSORY
Module/Topic
Week 2: Abnormalities of the Placenta and Umbilical Cord
Chapter
Chapter 18 p 423-460
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Week 3: Fetal Age and Size in the Second and Third Trimester
Chapter
Chapter 16 p 367-392
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practice Moodle Quiz
Module/Topic
Week 4: Fetal Neural Tube Structures
Chapter
Chapter 19 p 461-502
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practice Sonographer Worksheet
Module/Topic
Week 5: Fetal Neural Tube Structure...continued
Chapter
Chapter 19 p 461-502
Events and Submissions/Topic
Mock Exam
Module/Topic
No content
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Week 6: Fetal Heart
Chapter
Chapter 22 p 577-608
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practice Moodle Quiz
Module/Topic
Week 7: Fetal Heart...continued
Chapter
Chapter 22 p 577-608
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practice Sonographer Worksheet
Module/Topic
Week 8: Normal Fetal Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis
Chapter
Chapter 20 p 503-538
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Week 9: Abnormal Fetal Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis
Chapter
Chapter 21 p 539-576
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practice Moodle Quiz
Module/Topic
Week 10: Normal and Abnormal Fetal Limbs
Chapter
Chapter 23 p 609-628
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Week 11: Multiple Gestations
Chapter
Chapter 26 p 661-682
Events and Submissions/Topic
Mock Exam
Module/Topic
Week 12: Patterns of Fetal Anomalies:
Chapter
Chapter 28 p 713-744
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Final examination
Date to be advised
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Unit coordinator details:
The unit coordinator for MEDS13001 is Deanne Chester. The best way to contact Deanne is via email at d.chester@cqu.edu.au. Deanne's office number is 07 3295 1175 although she has sonography lab commitments and is often away from her desk. It is often best to email and request a scheduled meeting (over the phone or in person) if necessary.
Additional unit information:
This unit includes three practical sonography lab sessions. During these sessions you will be simulating a limited 2nd trimester morphology ultrasound examination.These sessions will also enable you to produce the images required for the Practical & Written Assessment item due in week 9 (Monday 08 May 2017)
Please note you MUST attend the Lab Safety Induction in week 1 (Monday 06 March 2017) to be permitted access to the labs during the term. If the induction has not been completed you will be excluded from the lab sessions.
Access to the internet is required to undertake this unit, as unit materials, tutorials and updates will be provided via Moodle, email and Zoom.
Weekly resources will include access to relevant websites, activities and readings, however you will need to acquire the prescribed text and workbook to successfully complete this unit. To give yourself the best chance of success please ensure that you undertake all the additional readings and activities that are provided to you. There will be several opportunities for formative assessment and feedback during the term.1 Practical and Written Assessment
Written and Practical Assessment Task Description
Part A & B are to be submitted together (40% of course total)
Part A – Practical Assessment
This assessment item is designed to allow you to solve clinical problems in a sonographic context and critically evaluate the process and product. This will be based around the following:
1. The acquisition of images and biometric measurements of the 2nd trimester phantom. You will personally acquire the relevant images and must use the ultrasound system obstetric package. Use the report page/s and graphs on the ultrasound system as appropriate.
2. You will provide a reflective discussion on your imaging series.
The Assessment Criteria include:
Acquisition of images
• correctly obtained, labelled and optimised sonographic images
• adequate use of ultrasound system obstetric package and report functions
• this is to be done individually (do not submit others images)
Critique of image series
• for each image provide a thoughtful reflection and critique of image quality
• justification of image inclusion in the series
• summary of any difficulties encountered
• suggestions for future improvement
For more detailed marking criteria please see the Part A marking rubric HERE
Part B – Written Assessment
This assessment item is designed to test your communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
1. Choose a topic from this list:
• cardiac septal defects
• hypoplastic left heart syndrome
• coarctation of the aorta
• transposition of the great arteries
2. You will produce an essay (1500 words) on your chosen topic. Your paper will be well referenced and highlight the use of ultrasound around the selected topic. This assessment item will increase your knowledge base and prepare you for the clinical environment.
Assessment Criteria include:
Ability to find and evaluate information
• Investigate current evidence and thinking around the given topic
• demonstrate thorough, appropriate, and up to date literature searches
• determine the relevance of what you have read, collate and edit
• provide detailed background information (including embryologic information)
Ability to recognise pertinent professional information
• highlight the sonographic relevance of the specified topic
• analyse the historical/current/future applications of sonographic imaging in the diagnosis or surveillance of your topic
• provide suggested guidelines or protocols for use of ultrasound in this context
Ability to produce a scholarly essay
• construct an essay (introduction, body, conclusion, use subheadings where necessary)
• provide a high quality scholarly paper that flows logically and engages your reader
• use academic writing (3rd person, past tense, neuter, no slang terms, keep to the point)
• use APA (numbered) referencing
• keep to the word limit 1500 +/- 10%
For more detailed marking criteria please see the Part B marking rubric HERE
Please also watch the Assessment Video HERE
Referencing
Referencing is an extremely vital component of any academic work and plagiarism is taken seriously by the university. Please refer to the Academic Misconduct Procedure available on the IMPortal available HERE.
In the medical field (in which sonography is included), journals use a numbered style of referencing for citing references. This can be Vancouver style, AMA, or other combinations. This often depends on the publication.
Hence for this course the bibliographic style you are to use is APA referencing style (that means, you use APA style to show the author/publication details in your reference list) and IN ADDITION you are expected to use a reference number for your in-text citations.
A reference number is shown in superscript, after the full stop when at the end of a sentence, or after the comma when in the middle of a sentence. Each time you cite another authors work in your paper you must identify this source with the reference number (this is inserted where you would find any in-text reference). The reference number then appears in the reference list in the order that they appeared within the text. If you cite the same source again, you use the same reference number in all subsequent citations. Some examples are attached in the link below.
The reason I have asked you to do this extra step is to help prepare you for the research courses in year 4 (where you will be producing articles suitable for publication), and also for your career as a sonographer when you may be submitting articles for publication.
Further support on APA referencing HERE or for a guide on numbered referencing HERE
Part A & B submitted together
Part A & B are to be submitted together (40% of course total)
Please refer to Task Description information above
Please see Part A marking rubric HERE
Please see Part B marking rubric HERE
Please also watch the Assessment Video provided HERE
- Discuss the clinical presentation, sonographic appearance and aetiology of pathological processes of the gravid uterus and fetal development.
- Analyse normal and abnormal fetal development with reference to embryological development and laboratory findings.
- Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce a sonographic report.
- Apply sonographic techniques appropriate to obstetric ultrasound to produce a limited morphology study in a simulated environment.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
Examination
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
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?
