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 2 - 2022

Online

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.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student verbal comments during interactive tutorials.

Feedback

Students commented that they felt content related to legal responsibility in healthcare could be revised.

Recommendation

Revise the content related to 'legal responsibilities in healthcare'.

Feedback from Student comments in SUTE data from the "Have your say" section on the unit Moodle site.

Feedback

Students found the neurosonography lectures to be thought provoking and very applicable to clinical practice.

Recommendation

Maintain neurosonography content and lectures pertaining to this subject matter.

Feedback from Student comments in SUTE data from the "Have your say" section on the unit Moodle site.

Feedback

Students reported that some topics such as the sonographic assessment of the fetal gastrointestinal (GI) tract, genitourinary, face and neck, and demonstration of skeletal dysplasias needed more in-depth explanations to enhance student understanding.

Recommendation

Review learning resources related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, genitourinary system, neck, face and skeletal dysplasias.

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

Supplementary

Callen's ultrasounography in obstetrics and gynecology.

6th revised edition (2016)
Authors: Mary E. Norton, Leslie M. Scoutt & Vickie A. Feldstein
Elsevier
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9780323328340
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Diagnostic Ultrasound:Obstetrics & gynecology

4th edition (2014)
Authors: Carol Rumak, Stephanie Wilson, J.William Charboneau, Deborah Devine
Elsevier
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9780323374903
Binding: eBook

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
Michelle Fenech Unit Coordinator
m.fenech@cqu.edu.au
Kate Russo Unit Coordinator
k.russo@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 1st trimester assessment - normal and abnormal sonographic appearances and findings Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

1st trimester sonographic assessment

  • Intracranial translucency
  • Cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius)
  • Abnormal findings

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 1,3,4,5.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 2nd trimester assessment - sonographic imaging and appearances of the fetal skull and brain Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

 2nd trimester sonographic assessment

  • Normal sonographic appearances of the cranium, fontanelle, sutures
  • Abnormal imaging findings associated with these structures

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 3,6,8.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 2nd trimester sonographic assessment and normal appearances of the brain Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

2nd trimester sonographic assessment
  • Sonographic assessment of the brain
  • Normal sonographic appearances of the brain
  • Revision of the anatomy of the brain

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 2nd trimester sonographic assessment - face, neck, brain Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

2nd trimester sonographic assessment of the fetal:
  • Head
  • Face and Neck

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 9,10


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 2nd trimester sonographic assessment- musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

2nd trimester sonographic assessment of:
  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Gastrointestinal system and Abdominal wall
  • Genitourinary system

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 11,14,15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Break week- no content delivered, enjoy a break or use this week to catch up.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Sonographic assessment of the maternal cervix, placenta and umbilical cord Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Sonographic assessment of the :
  • Maternal cervix
  • Placenta and umbilical cord

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 18,19

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Sonographic assessment of multiple pregnancies Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Sonographic assessment of multiple pregnancies
  • Dichorionic
  • Monochorionic
  • Higher order multiples

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Sonographic assessment of maternal complications Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Sonographic assessment of maternal complications including:
  • Infections/disease
  • Teratogens
  • Nutritional disorders

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 2,16,25

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Sonographic (including Doppler) assessment of fetal growth and associated complications Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Sonographic assessment (including Doppler assessment) of:
  • Fetal growth 
  • Imaging of fetal growth complications

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 20,21,22

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Genetics Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

  • Genetics and genetic testing

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapters 2,3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Legal and ethical issues associated with obstetric ultrasound and breaking bad news Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

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

Chapter

CALLEN'S Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sixth Edition Chapter 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 - Revision and consolidation week Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

No new content. Revise and consolidate content.

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic



Portfolio of advanced sonographic obstetric cases Due: Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam week Begin Date: 10 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

It is important to check your student email regularly as updates about this unit will be sent from the unit coordinator by email. Please ensure email correspondence is done via your CQU student email. This unit is a 6-credit point unit which requires you to allocate around 12.5 hours per week for study. The unit is graded. There are two assessment items, worth 50% each. Please refer to the assessment information for more details. Recorded lectures are provided by multiple guest lecturers which include but are not limited to Dr Ann Quinton, Dr Narelle Kennedy, Samantha Ward, Donna Traves, Dr Greg Duncombe and Pauline McGrath. Interactive tutorials will be offered to discuss course content and assessment preparation. You will be able to ask questions, discuss concepts with your peers and tutor and gain feedback related to assessment tasks at these interactive tutorials.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio of advanced sonographic obstetric cases

Task Description

Advanced fetal sonographic anatomic assessment requires comprehensive knowledge and an understanding of its clinical significance. Communication of sonographic findings to other health professionals is an important clinical skill and prioritisation of key concise relevant points is vital. A portfolio allows reflection of sonographic cases performed in the clinical setting, and engagement with current literature to inform future sonographic practice. To help you develop your verbal and written presentation and communication skills, this task will require the completion of two tasks:

  • A written submission of a portfolio including the discussion of three sonographic obstetric case reports related to advanced obstetric cases (first, second or third trimester) you have either sonographically assessed yourself or been involved with directly. Two of the cases at least should discuss fetal anomalies or maternal complications demonstrated sonographically.
  • A recorded verbal Power Point presentation (via Zoom) to discuss one of the advanced sonographic cases which is suitable for an audience of fellow sonographers/medical/allied health professionals.

Written portfolio submission (3000 words)

The written portfolio submission allows you to reflect on a series of acquired clinical obstetric sonographic cases and think of learning points gained through reflecting on these to inform future sonographic practice. The written portfolio will be a cohesive document submission and will consist of the following sub-parts:

Cover page

Introduction:

- Introduces the three cases together and discusses how future practice can be informed by reflecting on the combination of cases to be discussed

Discussion of three individual cases (write up each case separately):

- Introduction to each individual case and background and context of case (eg include clinical indications for sonographic assessment) - what aspect of examination will be focused on in case report

- Discussion of normal embryology, anatomy, and sonographic appearances of area of interest of individual case

- Outline of sonographic imaging obtained including static and/or dynamic clips (de-identified) including adequate labelling of images to allow reader interpretation of sonographic images

- Report of sonographic findings and how findings guide patient management

- Discussion of current literature findings related to area of interest and reflection on what aspects related to case can inform future sonographic practice and or patient management and take into consideration ethical/legal issues

Conclusion and Summary of learning points:

- Clear and insightful take-away learning points from completing portfolio are discussed

- Potential areas for future research/future learning highlighted

References (Vancouver style)


3-minute verbal presentation

Your verbal recorded presentation will be presented via a Zoom recording. It will be 3 minutes in duration. You are required to concisely discuss the important aspects of the sonographic findings and impact on patient management of one sonographic obstetric case and learning points for other sonographers.

The presentation will utilise five Power Point slides and contain:

1. Title slide (title of case, your name)

2. Background slide

3. Sonographic imaging acquired

4. How imaging informed future patient management and conclusion

5. References


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 4:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

A high level of communication skills is required to convey a clear and concise message in your portfolio including in each case discussion. Your submission must be written in a systematic manner to allow an easy-to-follow format for the reader.

Written submission:

Cover-page:

A cover page should be included specifying the unit code and name, paper title, your name and student number, unit coordinator and word count.

Introduction:

The introduction must provide context to the relevance and importance of your selected sonographic cases and be relevant to advanced obstetric sonographic imaging and highlight learning points. It should introduce and define any important terms and provide a brief overview of what you will discuss. It should grab the reader’s attention and engage the reader.

Each case discussion:

The case discussion will include clear, relevant, appropriate, and correct information which is relevant to advanced obstetric sonography. It should demonstrate a depth of understanding of your chosen area of interest for each case, including discussion of current knowledge from literature findings. You should demonstrate an ability to clearly explain and articulate the importance of discussion of the area of interest in written form, from simple to complex and general to specific. It is very important that current knowledge gaps are clearly identified and discussed.

Conclusion and Summary of learning points:

The conclusion will ensure that the take home messages of the combination of cases is clearly articulated and how sonographic imaging findings can impact patient management. It is important that what you discussed in the introduction has been addressed with a circular closing.

Academic writing and Referencing:

Your portfolio should deliver a clear, concise, and correct message, at an appropriate length, and be well proofread and edited with accurate spelling, grammar, and vocabulary appropriate for the sonographic discipline.  Sonographic images, and other figures and diagrams should be used to enhance reader understanding and should be referred to in text appropriately.

Appropriate, accurate and complete use of in-text referencing and cross referencing throughout is required with an accurate and complete reference list provided, demonstrating inclusion of relevant key literature.

The required font is Arial or Calibri, size 12 with 1.5 spacing.

Verbal presentation:

An engaging speaking style with appropriate visual aids used on each Power Point slide to enhance audience engagement is required. The key points related to the sonographic case must be included within the time limit ensuring there is reference to academic literature to support statements. Learning points for the audience must be highlighted. Adherence to the time limit and power point slide limit is required. The Power Point presentation should not be a copy and paste of the written submission onto Power Point, but rather highlight important aspects of the case and discuss points particularly related to sonographic imaging in a different manner using images as visual aids.

The marking rubric for this task is available on the MEDS20018 unit Moodle site.


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

An online test will be conducted to assess your understanding of content and concepts related to advanced sonographic obstetric assessments. Image viewing questions will be included. You may be required to discuss clinical indications for sonographic assessments, relative sonographic anatomy (and related embryology), sonographic techniques and subsequent normal sonographic appearances related to obstetric ultrasound. You will be required to identify whether sonographic imaging appears within normal limits or not and justify your reasonings. If you identify that the sonographic appearances indicate abnormal findings, you will need to articulate what findings are present and discuss what the findings indicate and what implications this can have on patient outcomes and management. The test will be accessed through the assessment tile or drop-down menu on the MEDS20018 Moodle unit site. The online test will be comprised of 10 questions each worth 10 marks each. You will be required to provide typed written answers. The test will be open for 1.5 hours (90 minutes) to allow 9 minutes per question. Only one attempt of the test is allowed. Once the test is commenced, it cannot be paused, stopped, or re-started. Once you have completed the test, it cannot be re-taken. You will need to allocate a 90-minute period throughout the week the test is open to complete and submit it. It is important to ensure that you will have a reliable internet connection to allow you to complete the test.



Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (14 Oct 2022) 11:59 pm AEST

The test will open Friday week 12 at 9:00 am and will remain open for one week.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Your answers will need to:

- Correctly describe relative sonographic structures demonstrated on sonographic images provided in questions.

- Demonstrate correct use of information provided in the question (which may relate to maternal or fetal age or clinical symptoms/ indications related to sonographic imaging) to guide the development of your answer.

- Justifications of whether sonographic images provided appear within normal limits or not, need to be correctly and adequately provided with relevant information provided in answers.

- Discipline specific terminology must be used correctly and adequately.

- A clear distinction between clinical conditions and structural changes identified sonographically needs to be demonstrated in answers.

As answers are worth 10 marks each (for each question), an adequate amount of correct, relevant, and detailed information to demonstrate a depth of understanding related to the specific question needs to be included in your answer.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

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?