CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS13001 Obstetric and Breast Ultrasound
Obstetric and Breast Ultrasound
All details in this unit profile for MEDS13001 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.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 02-04-20

Assessment 1 has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see your Moodle site for details of the new assessment 1.

The end of term examination (Assessment 2) has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see your Moodle site for details of the replacement assessment

General Information

Overview

This unit advances your study of obstetric ultrasound from MEDS12006 into the second trimester as well as building on breast ultrasound foundations which were created in MEDS12003. You will explore the sonographic assessment of normal and pathological obstetric ultrasound and breast ultrasound cases. You will participate in simulated scanning sessions to facilitate the identification of normal sonographic appearance of the second trimester fetus as well as basic breast scanning techniques and lesion localisation. Clinical scenarios are used to engage you in the sonographic decision-making process which culminates in the creation of sonographer reports.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: MEDS12003 Superficial Structures in UltrasoundandMEDS12006 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 - 2020

Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney

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 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

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

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
2. Examination
Weighting: 60%

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 Unit evaluation / Unit coordinator self reflection

Feedback

The new breast content would benefit from some further lectures and learning resources

Recommendation

Revise and add to the content in the weeks dedicated to breast ultrasound (currently weeks 10 and 11).

Feedback from Unit evaluation

Feedback

Some students requested lab and content timing to be altered so that all content was delivered prior to labs

Recommendation

As the lab schedule is very tight, the days available can not easily be altered, however consideration should be given to moving the content weeks around to better match the lab avaiabilities.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Analyse normal and abnormal obstetric ultrasound findings with reference to embryology, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance and aetiology
  2. Analyse normal and abnormal breast ultrasound findings with reference to anatomy, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance, aetiology and correlation with other breast imaging modalities
  3. Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce sonographic reports
  4. Formulate strategies for the provision of safe and ethical patient care
  5. Apply sonographic techniques, appropriate to obstetric and breast ultrasound respectively, to produce limited examinations 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, 7 & 10.

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 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 and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

Before We Are Born, Essentials of Embryology and Birth Defects

Edition: 9th (2016)
Authors: Moore, KL, Persaud, TVN, & Torchia MG
Elsevier
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9780323313377
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Callen's Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Edition: 6th (2017)
Authors: Mary E. Norton, Leslie M. Scoutt, Vickie A. Feldstein
Elsevier
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 978-0-323-32834-0
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Textbook of Diagnostic Sonography

Edition: 8th (2018)
Authors: Hagen-Ansert, S
Elsevier
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9780323353755
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

Copies are available for purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

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
Paula Kinnane Unit Coordinator
p.kinnane@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Breast Anatomy

US Appearance of Normal Breast Tissue

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

COMPULSORY Online Safety Induction to be completed prior to 10 March 2020

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

US Appearance of Breast Pathology

Correlation of Breast US with Other Imaging Modalities

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal Environment

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Formative Moodle Quiz

Lab #1 Wednesday 25/03/2020

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal Biometry

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal Heart

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Formative Moodle Quiz

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal Heart continued

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Mock Exam

Lab #2 Wednesday 22/04/2020

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal Neural Tube Structures

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal face, neck and chest

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab #3 Wednesday 08/05/2019

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal gastrointestinal, genitourinary and musculo-skeletal systems

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Formative Moodle Quiz

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST


Ultrasound Images and Discussion Due: Week 9 Wednesday (13 May 2020) 9:00 am AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

Multiple pregnancies


Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Fetal anomalies and disorders

Chapter

Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page

Events and Submissions/Topic

Formative Moodle quiz

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Review week

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial Thursday 10 am AEST

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

My name is Paula Kinnane and I am the unit co-ordinator for MEDS13001. Following on from a background in radiography, I have been a qualified sonographer for 20 years and worked in a number of environments (both specialised and general) in both public and private settings. Since 2006, I have been a specialist sonographer in women's and newborn imaging where I performed both routine and tertiary scans for gynaecological, breast and obstetrics imaging, including multiple pregnancies and fetal echocardiography.  I have been employed at CQU since 2015. I am involved in various voluntary roles with the Australasian Sonographer's Association (ASA) and present at many conferences. I was recently awarded an Associate Fellowship by the ASA, in recognition of my achievements and service to the profession.

I am based on Brisbane campus and my contact details are:

email- p.kinnane@cqu.edu.au

Ph- 07 3023 4146

Please keep in mind that whilst I am full time, I do spend time in the labs.

I am usually very responsive by email (during business hours) and can coordinate meetings if necessary.

Whilst there is no set textbook for this unit, some suggestive textbooks which may be useful to refer to and supplement your lectures include:

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ISBN:9780323328340

RUMACK Diagnostic Ultrasound 2 Vol set ISBN:9780323401715

HAGEN-ANSERT Diagnostic Sonography ISBN: 9780323353755


As this is a 6 credit point unit, you are expected to spend on average 12.5 hours each week on study activities for this unit.

This time includes:

- Watching recorded lectures

- Creating study notes to meet weekly learning objectives using lectures and readings

- Researching and working on your assessment

- Completing formative and mock exam questions.

Lab time is made available (weeks 3, 6 and 8) to obtain images to complete the written assessment.

Attendance at tutorials is recommended (recordings of these will be made available on Moodle).

Discussions about unit content, assessment and the exam are provided in the tutorials. Tutorials are held on Thursdays at 10 am AEST. The schedule is available on Moodle.

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Ultrasound Images and Discussion

Task Description

This assessment item is designed to allow you to solve clinical problems in a sonographic context and critically evaluate the method of obtaining images and critique your produced images.

This will be based around the following components:

Practical component - Acquisition of images

Part A

Using the 2nd trimester obstetric phantoms in the CQU sonography lab, you will personally acquire the following relevant and appropriately optimised images:

  1. Placental location / cord insertion
  2. Fetal situs and lie (split screen)
  3. Bi-parietal diameter (BPD) / head circumference (HC)
  4. Abdominal circumference (AC)
  5. Femoral length (FL)
  6. 4 Chamber Heart (4CH)
  7. Aortic root / left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT)
  8. Pulmonary artery root / right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT)

ONE image only from each of 1 - 8 above are submitted.

Multiple measurements of parameters should be performed and this will be evident in the report page data.

Report pages and graphs (as relevant to the above listed images) are to be included in the submission.

Part B

Using the breast phantoms in the CQU sonography lab, you will personally acquire the following:

  1. A short video including audio (using smart phone or similar) demonstrating how to perform cross hatch survey scanning technique (maximum 3 minutes)
  2. A short video including audio demonstrating how to perform radial and anti-radial survey scanning technique (maximum 3 minutes)
  3. 4 x o'clock US images taken at 12, 3, 6 and 9 positions, appropriately optimised, annotated and using body marker
  4. Choose ONE lesion within the breast phantom and image it with appropriate optimisation, annotation and body marker in TWO orthogonal planes

Written component - Discussion of image series

You will provide a reflective discussion on your imaging series (1500 words total).

Part A

For EACH image submitted:

  • discuss the clinical purpose or importance of each image and/or measurement (Why do we take the image/measurement? How is the information used clinically?). Include citations/referencing for this section as required.
  • critique the image quality (specifically any aspects needing improvement)
  • summarise any difficulties encountered (If it was challenging, why? Do you think it would be different on a patient compared to the phantom? Would there be different challenges on a live fetus?).
  • provide suggestions for future improvement when you next attempt this in a clinical setting (be specific and reflective in your thoughts).

Part B

For the images of your chosen lesion ONLY:

  • critique the image quality (specifically any aspects needing improvement)
  • describe the lesion using sonographic terminology (appearance, size, location, etc)
  • based on the appearances of the lesion you have chosen, state the BIRADS classification and justify why you have classified it at this level.

Referencing

Referencing is a 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.

Please ensure you adhere to the Vancouver referencing style.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Wednesday (13 May 2020) 9:00 am AEST

Upload submissions to Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Wednesday (27 May 2020)


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Practical component - Acquisition of images

Your images will be assessed for:

  • optimisation
  • scan plane
  • accurate measurement/s
  • annotation
  • use of ultrasound machine features (zoom, chroma maps, split screen, etc)

Written component - Discussion of image series

Your discussion will be assessed on:

  • spelling, grammar, academic writing
  • referencing
  • adherence to word count (word count marks not allocated if too brief or too lengthy; additional words will not be assessed)

As well as the following:

Part A

  • justification of clinical relevance of images/reports/graphs
  • quality of critique on image quality
  • reflection of difficulties encountered in the acquisition process
  • suggestions for improvement in a clinical setting

Part B

  • correct demonstration of scanning technique
  • quality of critique on image quality
  • accuracy of description
  • knowledge of basic lesion characterisation

The following assessment supports can be found on the unit Moodle site

  • Marking rubric
  • Assessment Video
  • Exemplars of previous submissions
  • Vancouver referencing information


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit in word doc so that marker comments can be added

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Analyse normal and abnormal obstetric ultrasound findings with reference to embryology, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance and aetiology
  • Analyse normal and abnormal breast ultrasound findings with reference to anatomy, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance, aetiology and correlation with other breast imaging modalities
  • Apply sonographic techniques, appropriate to obstetric and breast ultrasound respectively, to produce limited examinations in a simulated environment.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
60%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
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?