CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS20013 Diagnostic Ultrasound for Point of Care (PoCUS)
Diagnostic Ultrasound for Point of Care (PoCUS)
All details in this unit profile for MEDS20013 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 aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) to provide information to assist patient management. To enrol in this unit you must be a graduate of a science or health / medical course. To successfully complete all assessments, you must be able to undertake ultrasound scans in a clinical environment with appropriate supervision. You will use PoCUS to identify anatomical structures and rule out pathology. You will learn transducer manipulation techniques and skills to optimise ultrasound images for documentation.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Co-requisite:MEDS20009 Science and Instrumentation 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 - 2023

Mixed Mode

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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. Written Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
2. Portfolio
Weighting: Pass/Fail

Assessment Grading

This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Evaluate the benefits and limitations of using medical ultrasound for diagnosis in emergency or point of care (PoC) medicine
  2. Apply safe medical ultrasound techniques to generate optimised diagnostic images of regions of interest (ROI)
  3. Integrate diagnostic medical images into the clinical decision making process and patient management.

The International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) Point of care curriculum guidelines

3.3 Demonstration of how to generate and optimise an image- 2 and 3

3.4 Demonstration of good practice in point-of-care ultrasound- 1.2 and 3

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
1 - Written Assessment - 0%
2 - Portfolio - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - 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
1 - Written Assessment - 0%
2 - Portfolio - 0%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

Emergency Point of Care Ultrasound

Edition: 2nd (2017)
Authors: Melniker, Lawrence A., Connolly, James A.
Wiley Blackwell
Chichester Chichester , England
ISBN: 9781119072874
Binding: eBook
Supplementary

Point of Care Ultrasound Made Easy

Edition: 1st (2020)
Authors: John McCafferty, James M. Forsyth
Taylor & Francis Group
Oxfordshire Oxfordshire , England
ISBN: 9781000039511
Binding: eBook

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
Kathleen Sweeney Unit Coordinator
k.sweeney@cqu.edu.au
Michelle Fenech Unit Coordinator
m.fenech@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1: Introduction to POCUS and the FAST scan Begin Date: 06 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to POCUS and the FAST scan.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2: Ultrasound of the lungs and the E-FAST scan Begin Date: 13 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Ultrasound of the lungs and the E-FAST scan.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3: Ultrasound of the abdominal aorta and IVC Begin Date: 20 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Ultrasound of the abdominal aorta and IVC.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) Begin Date: 27 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 04 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

No new content.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5: Ultrasound in shock (Rush protocol) Begin Date: 11 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Ultrasound in shock (Rush protocol).

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6: Ultrasound of the scrotum and testes Begin Date: 18 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Ultrasound of the scrotum and testes.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential school  Tuesday 9am-3pm AEST Sydney CQU campus. 

Compulsory online induction required to be completed before attending res school.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 25 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

No new content.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7: Ocular ultrasound Begin Date: 01 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Ocular ultrasound.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8: Abdominal ultrasound: Kidneys and bladder Begin Date: 08 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Abdominal ultrasound: Kidneys and bladder.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1. (e-poster) Due Wednesday 4pm AEST


Written Assessment Due: Week 8 Wednesday (10 Jan 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9: Abdominal ultrasound: Liver and gallbladder Begin Date: 15 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Abdominal ultrasound: Liver and gallbladder.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10: Abdominal ultrasound: Spleen and pancreas Begin Date: 22 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Abdominal ultrasound: Spleen and pancreas.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11: Basic soft tissue ultrasound Begin Date: 29 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Basic soft tissue ultrasound.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12: Infection control and relevance to sonography Begin Date: 05 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

Infection control and relevance to sonography.

Chapter

Lectures and notes provided

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

Revision.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2. portfolio (4 procedural cases). Due Wednesday 4pm AEST


Portfolio Due: Exam Week Friday (16 Feb 2024) 4:00 pm AEST
Term Specific Information

Your unit coordinator for this term is Kathleen Sweeney. Kathleen is based in Sydney and works with CQU on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The most efficient way to contact her is via email: k.sweeney@cqu.edu.au

Zoom tutorials will be held throughout the term. They are not compulsory but are recommended. They give an opportunity for interaction and discussion with the tutor and other students. The tutorials will be recorded for later viewing (if there are live attendees). Tutorial times will be confirmed at the beginning of the term.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

In this assessment task, you will develop an educational e-poster outlining the use of a specific component of point of care sonography.

The poster is limited to eight (8) slides excluding the title and reference slides. An abstract is required to accompany the e-poster but is not included within the poster.

The e-poster should be written at a level suitable for presentation at a conference to your professional peers.

The poster will consist of:

Slide 1: Title slide - containing the title of the presentation, your name and qualifications.

8 content slides: Each content slide is required to have a clear heading. The e-poster must be organized cohesively and coherently, and use images to help reader interpretation.  You will need to research, critically analyse and synthesize current medical literature from peer-reviewed sources to assist you to complete this e-poster. A clear take-home message should be provided at the conclusion of your poster.

Last slide: References.

Slides are required to be submitted in 'landscape' format.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Wednesday (10 Jan 2024) 4:00 pm AEST

via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (26 Jan 2024)

via Moodle


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The e-poster should contain relevant, organized, logical and coherent content with a clear and concise message relevant to your selected audience.

The purpose of the poster should be clear and relevant to the field of point of care ultrasound.

In-text references and the reference list must be accurate, complete and high quality and appropriate sources utilized to support your statements.

A marking rubric is available on Moodle.

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit via the Assessment tab on MEDS20013 Moodle page.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate the benefits and limitations of using medical ultrasound for diagnosis in emergency or point of care (PoC) medicine
  • Apply safe medical ultrasound techniques to generate optimised diagnostic images of regions of interest (ROI)
  • Integrate diagnostic medical images into the clinical decision making process and patient management.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

You are required to develop and submit a portfolio consisting of 5 POCUS ultrasound examinations performed by yourself. This will assist you to develop proficiency in performing point of care ultrasound, including defining an appropriate indication for the sonographic imaging, imaging obtained, image optimization performed, recognition of anatomy and any pathology if demonstrated appropriate documentation of the results of the sonographic examination, and integration of findings into patient management.
A portfolio of five (5) sonographic examinations that you have conducted or observed in clinical practice is required to be submitted.

The portfolio will consist of:

1. Introduction to five cases

2. Outline of each of the five cases including:

- Clinical indications for the examination

- Description of the sonographic protocol used, and an outline of the ultrasound imaging obtained (real-time scanning and stored static images and cine clips for documentation). Static images will be labelled to identify structures for educational purposes. The acquisition plane of the image must be described. All sonographic imaging must be de-identified.

- Justification for the extent of sonographic imaging performed and what anatomy and pathology (if present) was demonstrated

- Critique of the imaging

- Report of the sonographic findings using correct sonographic terminology

- Patient management post sonographic imaging

- Reflection on what went well, how the sonographic imaging may have been improved, what you could have done to improve the quality of the imaging produced (if needed) and what you may do differently in future studies to aid a diagnosis

3. Summary and learning points from the portfolio

4. References

 

 


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Friday (16 Feb 2024) 4:00 pm AEST

via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (16 Feb 2024)

via Moodle


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Your portfolio will be assessed on:

* Academic writing including the layout and flow from beginning to end, succinct and relevant descriptions of the patient history, sonographic imaging and findings, critique of imaging performed and identification of areas for improvement if required and impact of imaging of patient management

* Use of evidence based information to support statements used

* Inclusion of images which are de-identified and labelled.  All images must be referred to in-text and figure numbers provided

* Insight must be demonstrated with self-reflection and identification of learning points to enhance future practice.

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate the benefits and limitations of using medical ultrasound for diagnosis in emergency or point of care (PoC) medicine
  • Apply safe medical ultrasound techniques to generate optimised diagnostic images of regions of interest (ROI)
  • Integrate diagnostic medical images into the clinical decision making process and patient management.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

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?