The written assessment for MEDS20007 requires you to prepare and submit an educational paper (2000 words). The paper requires you to explore an advanced paediatric ultrasound examination, the sonographic technique required to demonstrate relative structural anatomy, normal sonographic appearance and either an unusual pathology or the incorporation of new technologies to assess the chosen structure and/or pathology. All submissions must include a critical review of current literature, agreements, or lack of consensus in reported findings and identifications of any potential gaps in knowledge to inform future research.

The paper must be written in a formal, objective, and technical academic writing style. Sonographic images and anatomical diagrams should be used where possible to enhance reader understanding and engagement. Figures/images and/or tables must be original or permission to re-use must be gained and reference to figures and tables must be demonstrated within the text of the paper.

The educational paper may be completed in one of three different formats:

1. Paper presenting a paediatric ultrasound narrative review

2. Paper presenting a paediatric ultrasound case report

3. Paper presenting a paediatric ultrasound case series

The educational paper needs to contain the following components:

• Introduction

The introduction will supply sufficient background information for the reader to understand and evaluate the chosen paediatric ultrasound topic and detail why it is relevant to the sonographic profession. 

• Body of the Paper

Involves a critical review and synthesis of relevant literature related to the topic or case report/case series. Includes a discussion of;

    -The relative sonographic anatomy to be imaged, the sonographic technique and subsequent normal sonographic appearance

    -Pathologies or a specific pathology/injury that may be demonstrated and their abnormal sonographic appearances

    -How the sonographic assessment of a paediatric patient differs to that of an adult patient

    -Identification of new findings in current literature, that may not be well appreciated by sonographers

    -Impact of new ultrasound technology(s) and the impact on paediatriac ultrasound

    -Discussion of whether there are gaps in knowledge and whether further research is required to gain a consensus in the literature

• Conclusion

Re-state implications of findings and relevance for sonographic clinical practice and suggest areas for future directions.

• References

Depending on which type of format of an educational paper you choose to write and submit, an outline of further information regarding these different formats is provided below.

The educational paper which is a narrative review will summarise existing knowledge regarding your topic choice related to advanced paediatric sonography which has been published in current literature. Your research topic should be refined using the Problem, Intervention, and/or Comparison and Outcome model (PICO). 

The body of the paper will be subdivided into:

• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion

The educational paper that incorporates a case report will contain a detailed discussion of the sonographic assessment of a single paediatric case which involves either:

• An unusual presentation of a paediatric condition and the sonographic imaging and assessment undertaken or
• The sonographic assessment of an uncommon clinical condition/injury, or uncommon sonographic finding

The educational paper that incorporates a case series will require you to discuss the sonographic assessment of multiple paediatric cases where a common theme was identified.

The body of the paper that incorporates a case report or case series will be subdivided into:

• Case and/or case series description
• Critical appraisal and detailed reflection of the included images related to the sonographic assessment

You will be required to obtain images from your own clinical sonographic practice to complete a case report or case series.

Assessment criteria for assessment 1 is in accordance with the detailed marking rubric, available on the Moodle site.

Word limit 2000 words +/-10% excluding titles, headings, references and legends associated with images, figures and tables. All images are to be deidentified and if figures/images are taken from a peer review journal, permission from the publisher is required and evidence included in an appendix.

• Submission format is as a Word document.
• Font - Calibri, size 12 with 1.5 spacing.
• A plain cover page should be included specifying; unit code and unit name, educational paper title, your name and student number, unit coordinator and word count. No decoration or insertion of pictures on the cover page due to Turnitin requirements.

Written style, presentation and communication

• Information presented is synthesized into a unified, coherent, whole document which demonstrates internal coherence and logical flow
• There is a clear progression from introduction through to conclusion
• Literature reviewed is critically analyzed , relevant to the topic and reflected in the discussion
• Written and presented in a scholarly style which is also interesting and effective
• Findings are clearly communicated in a style that incorporates both specialist and non-specialist audience
• Findings are clearly articulated and demonstrate critical judgement
• Independently written and can foster intellectual debate
• Contributes information that is relevant and of value to the field concerned
• Writing is original
• Accurate, appropriate and complete in-text citations and reference list
• Appropriate language; clear, accurate and used to maximum effect
• Outstanding command of grammar, spelling and punctuation with thorough editing

You are required to complete an online test at the end of term to demonstrate your depth of knowledge gained relative to this unit.  You will be assessed on the content covered in the whole unit (weeks 1 to 12). This includes material covered in lectures, tutorials and any additional resources and reading 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/descriptors and directional terms
• Correct spelling of the terms
• Relevance of response to the question asked
• Adequate detail provided in the answer
• Depth of understanding demonstrated