You are required to develop and submit a written paper which discusses the advanced sonographic assessment of an upper body musculoskeletal structure. Your topic needs to be of clinical relevance and enhance the current knowledge of the sonographic profession.

Your paper should be written and structured in an academic fashion and you are required to research, analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise current peer reviewed scientific, medical and allied health literature related to your selected topic. You will need to discuss the current knowledge regarding the detailed anatomy of your chosen structure of interest and its relational anatomy (to allow an in-depth sonographic assessment of this structure).  The sonographic technique to assess this structure must be well articulated.  The normal sonographic appearances of this structure must also be well outlined and discussed, including suggested static and dynamic imaging required to adequately assess the chosen structure.   Relevant pathophysiology must be discussed including the sonographic appearances of pathophysiologic changes encountered, and you are required to discuss how such changes can be demonstrated sonographically.  Gaps in research related to your selected topic and suggestions for future research should be identified.  You need to demonstrate that you have clearly cross-referenced all statements within the paper.   Anatomical figures and sonographic images used to enhance your text, should be referred to within the text and also clearly indicate whether they are original or you have gained permission to re-use them (and evidence of this will be supplied in the appendix). Vancouver style referencing is to be used.  An unstructured abstract is required to be submitted in addition to your written paper.

A high level of communication skills is required to be utilized to convey a clear and concise message in your paper.  You will need to include a clear and relevant unstructured abstract, aim, introduction, body of the paper, and conclusion.  Your paper must be written in a systamatic manner to allow allow an easy-to-follow format for the reader.

Your paper should deliver a clear, concise and correct message, at an appropriate length, and appropriate and relevant content is to be well organised, with the paper written in a coherent and cohesive manner. The paper should be proof-read and edited with accurate spelling, grammar and vocabulary appropriate for the sonographic discipline.  Your paper should allow you to demonstrate a depth of understanding of your chosen topic and an ability to clearly explain the topic well from simple to complex. In-text references and the reference list must be accurate, complete and show evidence of cross-referencing and include relevant key literature.   The word limit is  2000 words excluding references and the abstract.  The required font is Arial or Calibri, size 12 with 1.5 spacing.  A cover page should be included specifying; unit code and name, paper 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 this written assessment to allow a pass grade in this unit.  There are presentations provided on Moodle which outline expectations of writing at a postgraduate level for written assessments.  It is highly recommended that you utilise these.

An online test will be conducted to assess your understanding of the content in this unit and its clinical application. The test will be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.  It will comprise of 10 questions which will require you to provide typed written answers.  Each question will be worth 10 marks. The test will be open for 1.5 hours which will allow nine (9) minutes per question and only one attempt of the test is allowed.  Once the test is commenced, it cannot be paused, stopped or re-started and once you have completed the test, it cannot be re-taken.  You will need to allocate a 90 minute period throughout the week that the test is open where you have a reliable internet connection to allow the test to be completed.  The questions for this online test will be drawn from a pool of questions to allow tests to be different for each student undertaking this unit. You must commence the test at least 90 minutes prior to the closing time of the test. If you have not completed the test by this time, your test will be closed automatically (so you may not allow yourself the full 1.5 hours to complete the test).

Image viewing questions may be included. You will need to be familiar with normal and pathological sonographic imaging of the upper body and the associated anatomy which has been discussed in this unit.

Your answers may require you to describe sonographic appearances of structures and determine if they appear sonographically normal or not. You may be required to discuss a particular pathophysiology or injury.

You may be asked how a sonographic examination may be extended to demonstrate an area further to confirm a diagnosis and what sonographic techniques may need to be employed to demonstrate a structure.

You will need to outline the detailed anatomy of a structure that needs to be sonographically assessed.

Your answers need to be detailed enough to allow you to gain 10 marks for each answer you provide.

You need to obtain a minimum score of 50% of the available marks in this online test to allow you to pass this unit.