CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS13008 Vascular Sonography
Vascular Sonography
All details in this unit profile for MEDS13008 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

This unit will introduce you to vascular ultrasound. In this unit you will explore the sonographic assessment of normal and pathological vascular cases. You will apply knowledge of vascular anatomy and physiology, and the physical properties of Doppler ultrasound to clinical scenarios and case studies to critically reflect on sonographic problems. Engaging in this sonographic decision-making process will culminate in the creation of sonographer’s interpretive reports, including a provisional diagnosis.

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

Prerequisites:- MEDS12001 Physics of Ultrasound

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 3 - 2017

Distance

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. Group Work
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 Moodle feedback and Unit coordinator self-evaluation

Feedback

Some weeks the Tutorials contained too many images for comprehensive discussion. This resulted in extension of the tutorial time or leaving some sonograms not critiqued nor discussed resulting in some frustration to students.

Recommendation

Future tutorials will focus on approximately 10 varied but relevant sonograms to compare and contrast similarities/ differences

Feedback from Moodle, emails and tutorials

Feedback

A suggestion to adapt the prescribed text so it is more relevant to the content of this course.

Recommendation

A custom solutions text is currently being formatted at the publisher Elsevier

Feedback from Unit evaluation feedback

Feedback

The assessment item was favourably received for its directions, production and its design for student learning.

Recommendation

This assessment item will be retained but with slight changes in the topics offered.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathological processes of the vascular system to sonographic examinations and sonographic image appearances.
  2. Describe sonographic techniques and protocols appropriate to vascular ultrasound.
  3. Analyse normal, anomalous and abnormal flow haemodynamics and laboratory findings.
  4. Demonstrate professional collaboration with your peers.
  5. Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce a sonographic report.

The learning outcomes for this unit relate to the requirements of the Australian Sonographer's Association (ASA) Competency Standards for the Entry Level Sonographer, unit 1-5, 13,

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 - Group Work - 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 - Group Work - 40%
2 - Examination - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Clinical Doppler Ultrasound

Edition: 3rd edn (2014)
Authors: Pozniak, M & Allan, P
Elsevier Health Sciences
London London , UK
ISBN: 9780702050152
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

Included in the purchase of the hard copy of this textbook is on-line access to the same text as an e-book ISBN: 97807055379.

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
Maria Maroney Unit Coordinator
m.maroney@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Nov 2017

Module/Topic

Haemodynamics and Doppler Physics Review

Chapter

Ch. 1_Physics: Principles, Practice and Artefacts P 1-25

CH 2_ Haemodynamics and Blood Flow p26-38

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Nov 2017

Module/Topic

DVT- Routine study of leg veins

Chapter

CH 5_The Peripheral Veins PP 94-113

Events and Submissions/Topic

Formation of teams for group-work assessment item.

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Nov 2017

Module/Topic

DVT continued- Abnormalities encountered in DVT studies

Chapter

CH 5_The Peripheral Veins PP 102-103 and On-line resources

Events and Submissions/Topic

Finalisation of teams for group-work assessment item

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Nov 2017

Module/Topic

Routine Carotid and Vertebral Artery Studies

Chapter

Ch 3_The Carotid and Vertebral Arteries PP 39-50

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 04 Dec 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 Begin Date: 11 Dec 2017

Module/Topic

Abnormal Extra-cranial Cerebrovascular studies

Chapter

Ch 3_The Carotid and Vertebral Arteries PP 50-66

Events and Submissions/Topic

.

Week 6 Begin Date: 18 Dec 2017

Module/Topic

Lower and Upper Extremity Arterial Doppler examination

Chapter

CH 4_The Peripheral Arteries PP 71-93

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 01 Jan 2018

Module/Topic

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) - EVAR

Chapter

CH 6_The Aorta and Inferior Vena Cava PP 122-130 and On- line resources

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 08 Jan 2018

Module/Topic

Renal Arteries - Direct and Indirect Doppler Assessment

Chapter

Read Pozniak & Allan (2014) Chapter 9: The Kidneys Renal Vascular Doppler, pp 193-213

Events and Submissions/Topic

Submission via Moodle of Recording of Oral Presentation
Week 9 Begin Date: 15 Jan 2018

Module/Topic

Renal Transplant assessment-

Doppler of Haemodialysis Access Grafts

Chapter

CH 10_ Solid Organ Transplant (renal transplantation) PP 214-232

CH 7_ Haemodialysis Access (Arteriovenous Fistulas and Synthetic Grafts) PP 35- 147

Events and Submissions/Topic

During week 9 students will choose from a table on Moodle two other oral presentations to individually critique.

Week 10 Begin Date: 22 Jan 2018

Module/Topic

Hepato-Portal Assessment_

Abdominal Venous Doppler

Chapter

CH 8_ The Liver (executing the Liver Doppler Study) PP 148-178 PP 183-191

CH 6_ The inferior Vena Cava PP 130-133

Events and Submissions/Topic

Completion of Self and Peer Assessment (SPA) due by Friday Week 10

Week 11 Begin Date: 29 Jan 2018

Module/Topic

Doppler assessment of

Chronic Venous Valvular Insufficiency (CVVI)

Chapter

CH 5_The Peripheral Veins

(Recurrent Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency) PP 114-121

Events and Submissions/Topic

Final submission of critiques of both alternate recorded oral presentations due at end of week 11.


Group Work Due: Week 11 Monday (29 Jan 2018) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 05 Feb 2018

Module/Topic

Revision and Final Examination Preparation

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Mock Exam and exam review

Distribution of links to all recorded oral presentations for unit review and exam preparation.

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Feb 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit coordinator is Maria Maroney. Contact details: email: m.maroney@cqu.edu.au or phone:07 49232522

The best way to contact Maria initially is by email at m.maroney@cqu.edu.au.

Access to the Internet is required to undertake this unit as all unit materials, tutorials and updates will be provided via Moodle, email and ZOOM.

Assessment Tasks

1 Group Work

Assessment Title
Group Work

Task Description

Assessment Item 1 Group work –

Oral Presentation

There are three parts to this assessment Item.

· Part A: Each group will produce a 10 to 15 min recorded oral presentation.

· Part B: Your peers will assess your individual contribution to the Group Presentation.

· Part C: You will critique two other Group Presentations.

Your Task

The unit coordinator will assign you to a group for this assessment task. Group members will be from

the same campus.

Part A: GROUP PRESENTATION (20%)

As a group, choose one (1) topic from the list below:

1. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) of the arteries of the lower limbs

2. Initial diagnosis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

3. Post Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR) evaluation

4. Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) in renal arteries

5. Atherosclerosis (AS) in carotids

6. Subclavian Steal Syndrome (SSS) in carotids and vertebral arteries

7. Portal Vein (PV) hypertension

8. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limb

Prepare and record an oral presentation (10 to 15 minutes) using Power Point for submission in Week

8. Information on best practise group work and good presentation style will be available on the

Moodle site.

In Week 5, you are required to submit a draft of your work for feedback from the unit coordinator.

Your coordinator will assign your marks for this presentation. Group marks will be determined by the

content and quality of the oral presentation submitted. All team members will receive the same

marks for this component.

Part B: INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION 1 (10%)

Other group members will assess your contribution to the group presentation by answering 10

standard questions. You will receive a link to these questions via email in Week 10. You will be

awarded the average of these marks.

Part C: CRITIQUE OF GROUP PRESENTATIONS (10%)

Each student will choose from a set table on Moodle two other group presentations to critique. You

will write a 300-350 words critique on each presentation, in which you will comment only on the

accuracy, quality and depth of the sonographic content presented and the relevance of the

accompanying sonograms. The coordinator will assess your critiques.

More details about all aspects of this assessment are available on the Moodle site.

Assessment Due Date Week 11 Monday

04:00 PM AEST

Return Date to Students Week 12 Friday

Weighting 40%




Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (29 Jan 2018) 4:00 pm AEST

via Moodle submission


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (9 Feb 2018)

via Moodle


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50% overall for all three parts of part A, B and C.

Assessment Criteria

Your team's recorded oral presentation will be assessed by considering each of the following assessment criteria:-

Your team's recorded oral presentation will be assessed by considering each of the following assessment criteria:-

a) Have you identified the parameters of your topic or problem?

b) Have you prioritised relevant detail for inclusion?

c) Is the information included accurate and evidence-based?

d) Does your content indicate that you understand the most important aspects of the vascular study?

e) Have you used images and graphics which are relevant and of satisfactory quality?

f) Have you clearly taken into account your specific audience i.e. your fellow students in MEDS13008 Vascular Sonography?

g) Do you have adequate support from peer-reviewed, up-to-date references?

h) Is your organisation, spelling, grammar and use of vocabulary exemplary?

A full marking Rubric is available on the Moodle page


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Only one team member needs to submit the video recording of the oral presentation for the whole group.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathological processes of the vascular system to sonographic examinations and sonographic image appearances.
  • Analyse normal, anomalous and abnormal flow haemodynamics and laboratory findings.
  • Demonstrate professional collaboration with your peers.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work

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
No calculators permitted
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?