Overview
This unit advances your study of obstetric ultrasound from MEDS12006 into the second trimester as well as evaluating the sonographer's role in technique and evaluation of the breast. 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 expands your knowledge and assists in creating sonographer reports.
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 - 2024
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 SUTE
Students found tutorials informative and helpful in terms of unpacking and gaining a deeper understanding of the lecture content.
Explore ways to further enhance tutorial content and increase attendance so that more students can benefit from the interactive tutorials.
Feedback from SUTE
Some students sought further details and clarification of the Assessment task description.
Rewrite the written assessment task description to further clarify the requirements and expectations and ensure the marking rubric corresponds well to the task description.
Feedback from SUTE
Some students felt that the unit was assessment heavy toward the end of term.
Consider splitting the week 9 online quiz into two separate quizzes.
- 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
- Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce sonographic reports
- Formulate strategies for the provision of safe and ethical patient care
- Apply sonographic techniques and diagnostic criteria, appropriate to obstetric and breast ultrasound respectively, to produce and analyse 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 Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | |||||
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 | |||||
Textbooks
Callen's Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Edition: 6th (2016)
Authors: Mary E. Norton
Elsevier
ISBN: 0323328342
Binding: eBook
Fundamental and Advanced Fetal Imaging: Ultrasound and MRI Edition
Edition: 2nd (2020)
Authors: John McCafferty, James M. Forsyth
Wolters Kluwer Health
ISBN: 197511700X
Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.sweeney@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Breast Anatomy
- Ultrasound (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 by Monday.
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
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 Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
- Fetal Environment
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
- Fetal Biometry
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Fetal Heart
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lab #1 Wednesday 3 April.
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
Vacation week. No new content.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Fetal Heart continued
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lab #2 Wednesday 17 April.
Quiz 1: Due Friday 3pm AEST.
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
- Fetal Neural Tube Structures
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Practical and Written Assessment Due: Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Fetal face, neck and chest
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
- Fetal gastrointestinal, genitourinary and musculo-skeletal systems
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
- Fetal anomalies and disorders
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 2: Due Friday 3pm AEST.
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
- Multiple gestations
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on Moodle page.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 am AEST.
Module/Topic
Review week.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
End of term exam. Time and date to be confirmed.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The unit coordinator is Kathleen Sweeney. Kathleen is based on the Sydney campus and works with CQU part-time: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The best way to contact her is via email: k.sweeney@cqu.edu.au, however please keep in mind that there may be some delay in responding to emails on her non-CQU days. She is however, generally very responsive to email.
It is important that students regularly check their student email and the News Forum on Moodle to receive updates about the unit. Please ensure that your email correspondence is via your CQU student email.
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 and attending tutorials
Creating study notes to meet weekly learning objectives using lectures, videos, and additional resources via the eReading list to supplement your learning
Researching, revising, and working on assessment items
Completing formative quiz questions and worksheets
Lab time is made available (weeks 5 and 6) to obtain recordings and images to complete Assessment 1.
Discussions about unit content and assessment are provided in the tutorials. Tutorials are held on Fridays at 11 am AEST. The schedule and link to tutorials is available on Moodle under the Virtual Classroom tile. Tutorial recordings will be available on the unit Moodle site the following day.
The unit is graded. There are three assessment items. Please refer to the assessment information for more details.
1 Practical and Written Assessment
This assessment will require you to practically acquire images and videos using phantoms in the CQU sonography labs and provided obstetric ultrasound images, and provide a written discussion on your imaging series. Part A will focus on the obstetric component and Part B will focus on the breast component.
Part A- Obstetrics Component
Overview
The sonographic assessment of fetal morphology is an important component for the prenatal assessment of fetal structural conditions, biometry, placental position, amniotic fluid, and fetal number. The findings can have significant implications for the management of pregnancy, for delivery, and post-natal care. The purpose of this assessment is to prepare you for undertaking sonographic assessment in a clinical environment and analyse the sonographer’s role in the routine mid trimester morphology scan.
Task Description
Practical component- Acquisition of videos, images and measurements.
It is important that sonographers have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely and effectively image patients. This involves probe manipulation to adapt for fetal position, appropriate image optimisation, accurate measurements, and image evaluation. You will complete the following components:
1. Using the 2nd trimester obstetric phantoms in the CQU sonography lab, your task is to produce two (2) short videos (maximum length 2 minutes each) with audio (using smart phone or similar) demonstrating and explaining how you will personally assess the following:
a. Fetal position and situs
b. Axial sweep through the fetal heart to include 4 chamber heart and outflow tracts.
2. Using the 2nd Trimester obstetric phantoms, acquire the following sonographic static images:
a. Sagittal fetal profile
b. Axial trans thalamic plane
c. Axial abdomen at the level where the abdominal circumference would be measured
d. Longitudinal femur
e. Placental location (to include cord insertion)
3. Static sonographic Images will be provided. You will analyse the images and personally select the most technically correct image and obtain multiple measurements of parameters (minimum of 2 each) for the following images:
a. Bi-parietal diameter (BPD)/head circumference (HC)
b. Abdominal circumference (AC)
c. Femoral length (FL)
d. Cervix length
e. Cerebellum, cisterna magna, and nuchal fold
A report summary (containing all the measurements for all components in item 3) and graphs are to be included.
You must use your own unique MRN to produce these videos, images, reports, and graphs. They must be your own work. Any identified cases of potential collusion will result in a breach of academic integrity case being raised.
Written component- Discussion of image series
Please ensure all images (and where relevant report pages/graphs) are included within your discussion.
1. For each image acquired in item 2 of the practical component, provide a brief (dot points are adequate) critique of your image. Name at least two (2) important reasons as to why the image was acquired in this way e.g., anatomical orientation for accurate caliper placement.
2. You will provide a reflective discussion on your imaging series for item 3. For each image submitted:
a. Justify the clinical purpose or importance of each image and/or measurement (Why do we take the image/measurement? How is the information used clinically?). Ensure your discussion includes the interpretation of measurements and graphs that you generated where appropriate.
b. Discuss the key factors of image optimisation for each individual image (Do you need to adjust technical parameters or utilise practical skills to demonstrate the structure in a particular position? What structures are important for each of the images, and why?).
Part B- Breast Component
Overview
Breast ultrasound is an important practical component in screening and the diagnosis of breast disease. This component will assess the sonographer’s role in the technique and evaluation of lesions.
Task Description
Practical component- Acquisition of video, images, and analysis of a lesion.
Using the breast phantoms in the CQU sonography lab, you will personally acquire the following:
1. A short video (maximum 2 minutes) with audio (using smart phone or similar) demonstrating and explaining how to perform one (1) of either a) cross hatch survey scanning or b) radial and anti- radial survey scanning.
2. Obtain four (4) US images taken at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. Images should be appropriately optimised, annotated, and with body marker correctly used.
3. Choose one (1) lesion within the breast phantom. Image and measure this lesion in two orthogonal planes, using appropriate optimisation, annotation, and body markers.
You must use your own unique MRN to produce these videos and images, and they must be your own work. Any identified cases of potential collusion will result in a breach of academic integrity case being raised.
Written component- Discussion of image series
Please ensure all images (items 2 and 3) are included within your assessment.
For the images of your chosen lesion (item 3) ONLY:
· critique the image quality (specifically any aspects needing improvement)
· describe the lesion using appropriate terminology (appearance, size, location, etc.)
· based on the appearances of the lesion you have chosen, determine the BIRADS classification.
Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024)
All components will be assessed for adherence and attention to task requirements. A marking rubric is available for more detailed outline of assessment criteria.
Practical component - Acquisition of images
Your images and videos will be assessed for:
- optimisation
- scan plane
- demonstration and explanation of technique
- appropriate selection of image
- accurate caliper placement
- annotation
- use of ultrasound machine features (zoom, chroma maps, split screen, etc.)
- appropriate timing (where applicable)
Written component - Discussion of image series
Your discussion will be assessed on:
- spelling, grammar, and academic writing
- critical evaluation of research sources and accurate and complete referencing
- adherence to word count (penalties will apply if too brief or too lengthy)
As well as the following:
Part A
- quality of critique on image quality for images in item 1
- justification of clinical relevance of images and interpretation of reports/graphs for item 2
- discussion of key optimisation techniques for item 2
Part B
- quality of provided images
- quality of critique on image quality
- accuracy of description of basic lesion characterisation
The following assessment supports can be found on the unit Moodle site
- Marking rubric
- Assessment Video
- Vancouver referencing information
- Formulate strategies for the provision of safe and ethical patient care
- Apply sonographic techniques and diagnostic criteria, appropriate to obstetric and breast ultrasound respectively, to produce and analyse limited examinations in a simulated environment.
2 Online Quiz(zes)
There are two (2) online quizzes to complete in this unit.
In Week 6, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 1-5. The quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
In Week 10, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 6-9. The quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
Both quizzes will comprise of multiple choice and matching questions, and are worth 10% each. Students will need to note opening and closing times to complete the quizzes during this time period.
Each quiz will be open for 30 mins and only ONE attempt is allowed. Once started, the quiz cannot be paused or restarted.
Questions will be drawn from a pool of questions to allow tests to be different for each student.
This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. As with all other university assessment, colluding with other students on non group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and will be reported to the Academic Integrity Unit.
2
Other
Quiz 1 due Friday 19/04/24 3pm AEST. Quiz 2 due Friday 17/5/24 3pm AEST
Quiz results will be released when all students have attempted the quiz.
Answers will be either correct or incorrect and tabulated by the unit's online Moodle system.
Students must achieve a minimum mark of 50% to pass this assessment.
- 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
Examination
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?
