This assessment is designed for better understanding of the sonographic scanning techniques, image generation and pathology interpretation in musculoskeletal sonography. There are two tasks in this assessment.

TASK A

In musculoskeletal sonography, it is important to scan a targeted anatomical structure in certain positions, to enable us to assess the structure usually under tension, but also to assess it in real time when moving. Dynamic assessment is a major advantage of sonography compared to other imaging modalities.

You will produce a short video of yourself explaining the scanning position with the aid of PowerPoint slides for the following structures in the shoulder.

• Long head of biceps brachii tendon (proximal)
• Subscapularis tendon
• Supraspinatus tendon

For each structure, you need to explain the following four aspects in your video together with dot points in your PowerPoint slides.

1. The patient positioning to allow sonographic assessment and imaging.
2. Standard static sonographic images that may be acquired to document the sonographic imaging of this structure.
3. The dynamic sonographic assessment performed for this structure including sonographic features of the structure that can identify normal structure (and lack of injury/pathology).
4. Sonographic artifacts that may be encountered when imaging this structure. In your discussion you need to include if there is any pathologies that may be mimicked by artifacts, and what techniques can be employed to overcome these artifacts.

TASK B

When we examine the proximal long head of biceps brachii tendon during the sonographic assessment of shoulder, we often encounter some fluid in the bicipital sheath distal to the transverse humeral ligament. It is important to understand the origin and the cause of the fluid therefore to diagnosis the underlying pathology correctly.

You will write an essay on ‘effusion within biceps long head tendon sheath’ based on existing research that has been done.

The essay should be written and structured in an academic style that requires you to research, analyze, critically reflect on and synthesize current peer reviewed medical literature of the topic. A high level of communication skill needs to be utilized to convey a clear and concise message. All statements of fact, anatomical drawings and sonographic images should clearly indicate they are original or be properly referenced according to Vancouver referencing style.

You must pass BOTH tasks to pass this assessment.

TASK 1A

Video requirement

The video should include the following components:

• Introduction
• Main content
• Conclusion
• References

The quality of the video is graded according to how well you have met the specified requirements, and in accordance with the assessment criteria outlined below:

• Content
• Cover all the required topics.
• Show clear relevance to sonography including anatomy, sonographic appearance and pathophysiology,
• incorporating diagrams and images to support your topic.
• Included accurate, evidence-based and peer reviewed information with relevant references.
• Length - Presentation was planned and produced well, which meant the end published product was in the limits of 5 minutes. The content slides (exclude the cover and the reference slides) were no more than 8 slides.
• Communication - Clarity of purpose and coherence of expression ((vocalisation, spelling, grammar, syntax); appropriate oral and written conventions used.
• Audience - Takes account of diverse audience needs by using a blend of learning styles, culturally inclusive language and mixed media elements.
• Presenting Style - Persuasive and compelling through the use of eye contact, and a range of techniques that kept the audience on task.

PowerPoint requirement

The PowerPoint should include the following slides:

• Title slide – containing the title of the presentation, your name and student number, unit code and the unit coordinator.
• Content slides:
• No more than 8 slides
• Including introduction and conclusion slides.
• Each content slide has a clear heading.
• Reasonable layout without too much text on a single slide
• All content slides are organized in a cohesive and coherent manner and use diagram or images to help reader interpretation.
• In-text reference is correctly used.
• Reference slide - Have adhered to the correct referencing style and provided adequate acknowledgement to sources. All ultrasound images are original and de-identified or properly referenced if sourced from elsewhere.

Submission format

Both MP4 and PPTX files are required to be submitted on Moodle via Turnitin.

The Marking rubric to be used is available on Moodle. You need to obtain a minimum mark of 50% in task1A to allow a pass grade in assessment 1.

TASK 1B

Structure

The essay should include the following components:

• Introduction
• Main content
• Conclusion
• References

Your work should show clear relevance to sonography including anatomy, sonographic appearance and pathophysiology, incorporating diagrams and images to support your discussion. Evidence based, peer reviewed material must be used and appropriately referenced. All ultrasound images must be original and de-identified or properly referenced with written permission from the original author/s if sourced from elsewhere.

Your essay will be assessed on academic writing based on the criteria outlined below:

• All required components are included.
• Topic is adequately explained in depth.
• Correct information has been included and incorrect information has been excluded, reflecting good understanding of the content.
• Structured, logical, and coherent.
• Adhere to word limit.

Word limit

800 ~ 1000 words, excluding titles, headings, image descriptions, tables and references.

Submission format

• Word document
• Font - Calibri, size 12 with 1.5 spacing.
• A cover page should be included specifying; unit code and name, essay title, your name and student number, unit coordinator and word count.

The Marking rubric to be used is available on Moodle. You need to obtain a minimum mark of 50% in task1B to allow a pass grade in assessment 1.

Students are required to perform some basic sonographic scanning techniques as well as image optimization and acquisition in a reasonable time period to advanced beginner level. A scanning time limit of 2 minutes is applied to this assessment.

Students will be assessed using the ‘assessment of readiness for clinical’ (ARC) tool. Please carefully review the assessment information and ARC tool posted on Moodle.

In the event that a student does not achieve a minimum of 70% or higher they will be given the option of re-sitting the practical test. Please be aware that all re-sits will be video recorded for moderation purposes.

The end of term online test will assess you on content covered in the whole unit (weeks 1 to 12). This includes material covered in lectures, tutorials and any additional resources supplied during the term. The test involves a combination of question types, including short and long answer questions which require typed answers and some multi-choice questions. Image interpretation may be included in short and long answer questions.

This online test must be completed by you, without assistance or collusion with others. Any evidence of collusion will be dealt with in adherence with the CQU student academic integrity policy and procedure.

For multiple choice questions, you will be required to select the most appropriate answer from a selection of possible answers in relation to the question asked.

Typed response answers will be assessed according to:

• use of appropriate medical and sonographic terminology and descriptors and directional terms
• correct spelling of the terms
• relevance of response to the question asked
• adequate detail provided in the answer