Outline:

The range of Obstetric fetal anomalies encountered in clinical practice is often extensive with the prevalence and frequency of those diagnosed sometimes unpredictable.

The newly graduated sonographer has a solid foundation of Obstetric knowledge but when faced with an unexpected obstetric anomaly access to concise and relevant information specific to an anomaly is invaluable.

A succinct reference pamphlet would greatly assist the student by highlighting additional information to complete a comprehensive scan.

Communication of the sonographic features of an anomaly verbally to the reporting doctor is also an important clinical skill and summarising and prioritising key relevant points vital to expedite discussion.

An appropriate and relevant summary utilizing effective communication techniques is an important skill to master in the clinical setting.

The student is required to produce a digital pamphlet and brief oral summary pertaining to their chosen obstetric anomaly from the selection provided in the task description.

Task Description:

Pamphlet:

Your assessment task is to source, collate and edit relevant information pertaining to your choice of one (1) out of the 3 obstetric anomalies provided to you below:

• Immune Hydrops Fetalis

• Achondroplasia

• Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum.

This task requires you to produce a 6-panel digital pamphlet with the target audience being the recently graduated sonographer.

Emphasis should be placed on the following succinct information that is needed by the sonographer to perform a comprehensive scan:

1) Background/overview E.g. Occurrence, risk factors, aetiology and/or pathogenesis

2) Important clinical information to acquire before concluding the sonographic examination E.g. Previous prenatal testing, relevant history

3) Characteristic sonographic features

· How to sonographically confirm these features and what else to look for

· Compare with at least one differential diagnosis

4) Further pre-natal investigations and prenatal clinical management options.

5) Prognosis

• Postnatal and early childhood

Creating this pamphlet will involve researching the relevant information and being creative in design so that the information is engaging to the reader and suitable for the scenario outlined.

Images and diagrams are recommended to aid in the visual communication of information. Submissions that are text heavy are discouraged as is the use of small font as these features are not conducive to the proposed pamphlet purpose.

This assessment is due at the end of Week 9 to allow those students who are on first placement to finalise their assessment task post placement. Those of you who are on second clinical placement should take advantage of the study time to predominately complete your assessment/s before starting your clinical appointment.

All assessment details are available at the commencement of Term 2 to allow for earlier completion and maintain equity for both placement groups.

• The marking rubric for this assessment is available for perusal via this LINK
• Specific important information pertaining to the format requirements for this assessment are available via this LINK

Task Description:

Presentation:

• Effectively communicate using an oral presentation details of your chosen anomaly and its’ key specific sonographic features. The format should take the form of a clinical setting scenario where you are presenting your findings to the consultant radiologist having completed your scan
• This component entails producing an up to 5 min video recording utilising a smart phone, laptop or tablet device.

• This recording is to be uploaded to You-tube with students submitting a link to the unit coordinator with their Written Moodle submission
• PowerPoint slides, images and worksheets are not required

More specific important information pertaining to the format requirements for this assessment are available via this LINK

Assessment criteria:

Written:

• Construct a high quality submission addressing the topic which has clear structure and purpose. It must be free of grammatical error and reflect an appropriate level of critical analysis balancing discussion with the appropriate use of clinical and scientific terminology.

• Evaluate current information and clinical consensus around the given topic by demonstrating thorough, appropriate, and up to date literature searches to support the selected background information that you include.

• Highlight the sonographic relevance of the specified topic (analyse the historical/current/future applications of sonographic imaging in the diagnosis/treatment/management of the topic, provide suggested guidelines or protocols for use of ultrasound in this context)

• Describe the sonographic appearance and give examples of images used with appropriate commentary to support the demonstration of your understanding of the sonographers’ role in the diagnosis and management of this anomaly.

For more detailed marking criteria please see the MARKING RUBRIC on the Moodle site for this unit which is available HERE

Assessment criteria:

Presentation:

Video

• Demonstrate creativity and decision making skills to appropriately construct a presentation which engages the target audience and effectively communicates the pertinent information required. This is to be undertaken as a first person role play.

• Determine optimal video and audio settings so that you are clearly visible, well heard and that the background/location appropriate for the sensitivity of the information being conveyed.

• Utilise appropriate verbal, nonverbal communication skills and correct terminology and do so in a timely manner.

Content

• Analyse and highlight content details that are relevant based on the literature review used for your pamphlet component and the presentation scenario provided. You must briefly comment on recommendations for the management of the affected pregnancy.

• Interpret and select any additional information that will enhance your chosen anomaly scenario.

• Discern an effective and appropriate methodology as to the format your presentation will take.

• Display your understanding of the sonographer’s role within this clinical setting scenario by constructing and delivering a presentation that is clinically relevant.

An online test will be conducted to assess your understanding of content in this unit. The test can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.

It will be open for one week during week 12. and will comprise of 12 questions which will require written answers. Students will need to note opening and closing times so as to complete the exam at some stage during this time period.

The test will be open for 2 hours (allowing 10 minutes per question) and only one attempt is allowed. Once started, it must be completed in one sitting.

As the test is online and open book, you will find it useful if you have produced your own notes from the lectures and that you are familiar with the unit information. You cannot afford to use time searching for information (either in texts, notes or online) to assist you in providing your answer. You will have 40 lines to comprise your answer in for each question

Content to be examined will include Module topics 1 -10 with the exception of paediatric spine.

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 examination, colluding with other students on non group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and may lead to action being taken

(Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS).

The test will be open from Wednesday 4 October at 9 am (in week 12) and will shut on Wednesday 11 October at 9am. You will need to allocate a 120 minute time period during this time that the test is open to complete the test. Please note: You must start the test before Wednesday 11 October 7.00am as the test will close at 9 am Wednesday 11 October.

Once started the test cannot be paused, stopped or re-started. Once you have completed the test, it cannot be re-taken.

Students will need to provide medium length typed responses to 12 online questions within the 2 hour time period.

Film viewing questions may be included and you are required to be familiar with normal and pathological sonographic imaging of the areas discussed in Modules 1 -10 of this unit (excluding the fetal spine)

Each question is worth 10 marks (giving a max total of 120 marks available)

Responses will be assessed according to

• the accuracy of content, use of appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as the quality of the academic writing utilised.

• the students ability to appropriately interpret sonographic images/graphs/tables and then to succinctly compose an appropriate response based on their learning from the unit.