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. In this scenario, a succinct reference pamphlet would greatly assist 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 utilising effective communication techniques is an important skill to master in the clinical setting.

You are required to produce a digital pamphlet and brief oral summary pertaining to your 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) topic from the following:

• Placental abruption
  
• Achondroplasia
  
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  

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 prenatal investigations and prenatal clinical management options

5) Prognosis and/or recurrence

• Postnatal and early childhood
• Subsequent pregnancies

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.

Specific important information pertaining to the format requirements and MARKING RUBRIC for this assessment are available via this LINK

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 the ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Report/Recommendations)  technique where you are presenting your findings to the consultant radiologist having completed your scan
• This component entails producing a video recording (up to 5 mins in length) utilising a smart phone, laptop or tablet device
• This recording is to be uploaded to YouTube 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

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.

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 using the ISBAR technique.

• 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 ISBAR technique to deliver 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 and follows ISBAR technique.

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

Each health profession possesses a body of knowledge, the fundamentals of which must be learnt and understood. The sonography profession has selected these concepts as relevant to your future scope of practice and you will build upon them in your future clinical capacity. You will complete an online test to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered in MEDS13009. The test can be accessed through the assessment tab on the unit Moodle site.

• It will be open for one week during week 12 and will comprise 10 questions which will require written answers. Students will need to ensure that they are available for the required duration in Week 12 to complete the online test. 

• The test will be open for 120 mins (allowing 12 minutes per question) and only ONE attempt is allowed. Once started, the test cannot be paused or restarted.

• As the test is online and open book, you will find it useful if you have produced your own notes 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.

• All unit content for MEDS13009 may be examined.

• Questions will be drawn from a pool of questions to allow tests to be equable, yet 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 may lead to action being taken. Inserting answers from other websites at the time of the online test without referencing the source is considered plagiarism.

The test will be open from Monday 7 October at 9am AEST. (Week 12) 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 Monday 14 October 7.00am AEST. Once started, the test cannot be paused, stopped or restarted. Once you have completed the test, it cannot be retaken.

Students will need to provide medium length typed responses to 10 online questions within the 2 hour time period.

Image interpretation questions may be included and you are required to be familiar with normal and pathological sonographic imaging of the areas discussed in MEDS13009.

Each question is worth 10 marks (giving a max total of 100 marks available)

Responses will be assessed according to

• Use of appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar, spelling, relevance of response and competence in addressing all elements of the question

• 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