CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS20018 Advanced Obstetric Ultrasound
Advanced Obstetric Ultrasound
All details in this unit profile for MEDS20018 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 is designed to advance your clinical practice in the field of obstetric ultrasound. This unit will cover fetal structure, function, pathophysiology and scanning techniques at an advanced level as relevant to each trimester. You will develop your ability to make a clinical assessment, recognise fetal anomalies and disruptions to normal growth patterns. The legal and ethical considerations associated with the imaging and management of the pregnancy will be discussed.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

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 - 2018

Distance

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).

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. Portfolio
Weighting: 50%
2. Online Test
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Evaluate normal and abnormal findings of fetal ultrasound and appraise the clinical relevance
  2. Research the role of ultrasound in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of the obstetric patient, including communication, legal and ethical considerations
  3. Apply at an advanced level clinical knowledge and critical thinking to fetal assessment

The Masters course does not lead to entry into the sonography profession but is rather studied by qualified practitioners to support advanced practice. Therefore it does not require external accreditation. The Master of Medical Ultrasound qualifies as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity (activity code 10B - Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR)). This unit alone does not lead to the award of a qualification in specialist obstetric ultrasound.

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 - Portfolio - 50%
2 - Online Test - 50%

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 - Portfolio - 50%
2 - Online Test - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Callen's Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Edition: Sixth (2017)
Authors: Norton M.E, Scoutt L.M, Feldstein V.A
Elsevier
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9780323328340
Binding: eBook

Additional Textbook Information

There is an ebook available. However, paper copies are still available from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the unit code).

Readings will be designated from this text

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Smart phone video access or desktop/laptop webcam with recording capabilities
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Paula Kinnane Unit Coordinator
p.kinnane@cqu.edu.au
Anita Bowman Unit Coordinator
a.bowman@cqu.edu.au
Ann Quinton Unit Coordinator
a.quinton@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 1st trimester assessment- normal Begin Date: 05 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

  • Normal 1st trimester assessment including intracranial translucency and Aqueduct of Sylvius

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ISBN:9780323328340

Ch 1 pages 6-13

Ch 3 pages 63-67

Ch 5 pages 98-108

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 1st trimester assessment- abnormal Begin Date: 12 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

  • 1st trimester assessment- abnormal

Chapter

Ch 3 pages 67-69

Ch 4 pages 88-94

Ch 5 pages 108-115

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial- Wednesday night (14th November) 6.30pm (AEST) via Zoom

Week 3 Legal and ethical issues of pregnancy and breaking bad news Begin Date: 19 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

  • Ethical and legal issues associated with pregnancy
  • Breaking bad news

Chapter

      

    Ch 1 pages 18-22


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 2nd trimester assessment -normal Begin Date: 26 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

  • 2nd trimester assessment- normal and extended areas of study including: corpus callosum, palate, limb movement, joint angles.

Chapter

Ch 3 pages 69-77

Ch 6 pages 119-122

Ch 8 pages 214-216

Ch 10 pages 244-245


Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial- Wednesday night (28th November) 6.30pm (AEST) via Zoom

Vacation Week Begin Date: 03 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

Break week- no content delivered.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 2nd trimester assessment- abnormal Begin Date: 10 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

  • 2nd trimester assessment- abnormal by systems

            Head

            Face and Neck

Chapter


Ch 9 pages 220-241

Ch 10 pages 243-268


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 2nd trimester assessment- abnormal Begin Date: 17 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

  • 2nd trimester assessment- abnormal by systems

            MSK

            GIT/Abdominal wall

            Genitourinary

Chapter


Ch 11 pages 272-325

Ch 14 pages 460-497

Ch 15 pages 503-534

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial- Wednesday night (19th December) 6.30pm (AEST) via Zoom

Week 7 Cervix, placenta and umbilical cord Begin Date: 02 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

  • Cervix, placenta and umbilical cord

Chapter

Ch 18 pages 653-670

Ch 19 pages 674-699


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Multiples Begin Date: 07 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

  • Twins and multiple pregnancies

Chapter

Ch 7 pages 132-155


Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial- Wednesday night (9th January) 6.30pm (AEST) via Zoom

Week 9 Maternal complications Begin Date: 14 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

  • Maternal complications

            infections/disease

            teratogens

            nutritional disorders

        

Chapter


Ch 16 pages 542-547, Ch 17 pages 633-650

Ch 2 pages 34-37, Ch 16 pages 548-551

Ch 25

Events and Submissions/Topic

Educational portfolio and presentation Due: Week 9 Friday (18 Jan 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Fetal growth complications and Doppler assessment Begin Date: 21 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

  • Fetal growth complications
  • Doppler assessment

           

Chapter

Ch 22 pages 733-747


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 11 Genetics Begin Date: 28 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

  • Genetics and genetic testing

Chapter

Ch 2 pages 24-52, Ch 3 pages 57-77


Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial- Wednesday night (30th January) 6.30pm (AEST) via Zoom

Online Test week Begin Date: 04 Feb 2019

Module/Topic

No new content.

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Online test opens Wednesday 6 February 9am

Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Feb 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

My name is Paula Kinnane and I will be unit co-ordinator for MEDS20018. Following on from a background in radiography, I have been a qualified sonographer for 18 years and worked in a number of environments (both specialised and general) in both public and private settings. Since 2009, I have been a specialist sonographer in women's and newborn imaging. Since 2015, I have worked at CQU and am looking forward to facilitating the introduction of this new subject for term 3.

My contact details are

Email: p.kinnane@cqu.edu.au or phone 07 3023 4146.
I may be in sonography labs, so may not be able to take all phone calls. Please leave a message and also email
if you wish to discuss a matter on the phone.

Contributing presenters have been selected for their extensive knowledge and expert clinical practice and include:

Associate Professor Ann Quinton. Ann has worked clinically in fetal medicine units performing obstetric ultrasound and fetal echocardiography scans. She continues to work part-time clinically, performs research and lectures extensively nationally and internationally in the field of fetal ultrasound.

Dr Gregory Duncombe. Greg is a Fetal Medicine Specialist who works in both public and private settings and specialises in high risk pregnancy management. Greg has also completed a GradCertApp Law in Health law and was awarded Fellowship of the R.A.N.Z.C.O.G.

Samantha Ward. Samantha is a sonographer with extensive clinical knowledge in fetal ultrasound. She is the founder and author of "Obstetric Sonography" and has published articles and presented at numerous conferences.

Donna Traves. Donna is senior sonographer of Women's ultrasound at RBWH. Donna has a wealth of experience in Obstetrics and gynaecology and has presented at numerous conferences. Donna is involved in the training of sonographers and medical specialists at RBWH.

Narelle Kennedy. Narelle is currently completing her PhD and is the former chief sonographer at Nepean Hospital in Sydney. Narelle has extensive clinical experience in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Pauline McGrath. Pauline is a senior genetic counsellor in the Fetal medicine Unit at RBWH. Pauline was awarded the Churchill Fellowship in 2013 and is a Fellow of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia.


As this is a 6 credit point unit, you are expected to spend on average 12.5 hours each week on study activities for this
unit.
This time includes:
- Watching recorded lectures
- Creating study notes to meet weekly learning objectives using lectures and readings
- Researching and working on your assessment
- Completing practice test questions.
Attendance at tutorials is recommended (recordings of these will be made available on Moodle).
Discussions about unit content, assessment and online test are provided in the tutorials.
In order to pass this unit you must attain at least 50% overall and meet the minimum mark of 50% in each assessment
task.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Educational portfolio and presentation

Task Description

Advanced fetal anatomic assessment requires comprehensive knowledge and an understanding of clinical significance. Appropriate communication regarding findings to other health professionals is also an important clinical skill, and prioritisation of key concise relevant points is vital to presenting. This task will comprise of two (2) written case studies and one (1) recorded mock presentation suitable for delivery at a conference with an audience of fellow sonographers/medical/allied health professionals.


Each submission will clearly discuss a case of a fetal anomaly and can be from the first, second or third trimester. Each submission must discuss a different fetal anomaly you have either scanned yourself, been involved in, or sourced (source referenced). You will select one of your written anomaly cases and record a presentation.


Suggestions for discussion topics include:

  • Background/overview e.g. Clinical presentation, occurrence, risk factors and aetiology.
  • Description of the normal ultrasound appearance (brief)
  • Describe the abnormal ultrasound finding comparing it to the normal findings and its significance
  • Diagnostic criteria and pitfalls
  • Diagnosis and possible differentials
  • Further prenatal investigations and prenatal clinical management options.
  • Impact of diagnosis on fetus. Are there any legal or ethical considerations that need to be communicated?

The written component will:

  • Contain images,figures, tables and/or diagrams to enhance the text. Images/figures/tables/diagrams can be sourced but must be properly referenced.  All images must be deidentified.
  • Adhere to word limit of 1500 words +/-10% for each case.

Your presentation is to be recorded and loaded via Zoom. It will:

  • Effectively communicate your chosen topic using audio and PowerPoint.
  • Be at a level suitable for presentation at a conference with an audience of fellow sonographers/medical/allied health professionals.
  • This component entails producing a video recording of up to 6 minutes duration, utilising a smart phone, laptop or tablet device.
  • Title slide - contains the title of presentation, your name, student number and the conference chosen for your intended audience (1 slide)
  • Background/overview- patient history, occurrence, risk factors. (2 slides)
  • Diagnosis and imaging- this includes sonographic findings, differential diagnosis, patient management, other testing/follow-up and prognosis. (6 Slides)
  • 1 slide for references.

Total of 10 slides maximum. All PowerPoint slides are to be used in 'landscape' format with no animations.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (18 Jan 2019) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (1 Feb 2019)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

      Written:

      • Demonstrate, analyse and critically reflect on current medical literature relevant to your selected fetal anomaly.
      • 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.
      • Describe the sonographic appearance and use appropriate images to support the demonstration of your understanding of the diagnosis and management of this anomaly.
      • All text, images, diagrams and tables are correctly referenced and word limit (1500 words per case +/-10%) is adhered to. All images must be deidentified.

      Presentation:

      • Demonstrate a high level of communication skills and appropriate scientific language to convey a clear and concise message.
      • 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.
      • Analyse and highlight content details that are relevant based on the chosen anomaly.
      • 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.
      • All images are deidentified and tables/diagrams are correctly referenced.  Time limit is adhered to (6 minutes).

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


      Referencing Style

      Submission
      Online

      Submission Instructions
      The Educational portfolio and presentation is accessed via the assessment tab in Moodle.

      Learning Outcomes Assessed
      • Evaluate normal and abnormal findings of fetal ultrasound and appraise the clinical relevance
      • Research the role of ultrasound in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of the obstetric patient, including communication, legal and ethical considerations
      • Apply at an advanced level clinical knowledge and critical thinking to fetal assessment


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

      2 Online Test

      Assessment Title
      Online test

      Task Description

      Each health profession possesses a body of knowledge, the fundamentals of which must be learnt and understood. You will complete an online test to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered in this unit. The test can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle. It will be open for one week during week 12. Students will need to provide medium length typed responses to 10 online questions within the 1.5 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 MEDS20018. Students will need to note opening and closing times to complete the exam during this time period. The test will be open for 90 mins (allowing 9 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.

      All unit content for MEDS20018 will be covered in this online test.

      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 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.



      Assessment Due Date

      Wednesday (13 Feb 2019) 9:00 am AEST


      Return Date to Students

      Exam Week Friday (15 Feb 2019)

      Results will be available after collation of grades


      Weighting
      50%

      Minimum mark or grade
      50%

      Assessment Criteria

      The test will be open from Wednesday 6 February at 9am.(Week 12) You will need to allocate a 90 minute time period during this time that the test is open to complete the test. Please note: The test will close on Wednesday 13 February at 9am. Once started, the test cannot be paused, stopped or re-started. Once you have completed the test, it cannot be re-taken.

      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


      Referencing Style

      Submission
      Online

      Submission Instructions
      The Online test is accessed via the assessment tab in Moodle.

      Learning Outcomes Assessed
      • Evaluate normal and abnormal findings of fetal ultrasound and appraise the clinical relevance
      • Apply at an advanced level clinical knowledge and critical thinking to fetal assessment


      Graduate Attributes
      • Knowledge
      • Communication
      • Cognitive, technical and creative skills

      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?