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MEDS12003 - Superficial Structures in Ultrasound

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit explores the sonographic assessment of normal and pathological superficial structures. You will apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and embryology to conduct sonographic examinations of superficial structures in the laboratory setting as well as utilising simulated clinical scenarios and case studies to critically reflect on sonographic problems. Development of the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to perform an ultrasound examination of the thyroid will be assessed within a simulated environment.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 2
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite

MEDS11001 Fundamentals of Sonographic Practice

and

MEDS11002 Relational Anatomy and Image Recognition OR MEDI11003 Relational Anatomy

and

Corequisites

MEDS12001 Physics 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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2018

Term 1 - 2018 Profile
Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Term 1 - 2019 Profile
Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Term 1 - 2020 Profile
Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Term 1 - 2021 Profile
Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Term 1 - 2022 Profile
Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Term 1 - 2023 Profile
Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Term 1 - 2024 Profile
Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Sydney

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).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate 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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Written Assessment 0%
2. Practical Assessment 0%
3. Online Quiz(zes) 0%
4. On-campus Activity 0%

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.

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2023 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 39.22% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 41.41% response rate.

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.

Source: SUTE student survey communication
Feedback
Students required more clarification on certain objectives often specific to scanning skill requirements.
Recommendation
Consider increased inter-campus communication via Moodle between Unit Co-Ordinator, students, and teaching staff. It is recommended to address all frequently asked questions (and the appropriate responses) with all students as well as teaching staff to minimise confusion.
Action Taken
Tutor forum page was created to allow for increased communication between campuses and tutors. Any scanning skill questions were answered within a 48 hour timeframe and posted on tutor forum and the student Q&A to provide clarification to both teaching staff and students
Source: Email
Feedback
Students found the response to queries very thorough and clear.
Recommendation
Maintain the structure and style and depth in responses to student queries.
Action Taken
Communication and structure, style and depth were maintained via email and announcements/Q&A on Moodle
Source: Unit Coordinator reflection
Feedback
The marking criteria in terms of critical and non-critical needs to be more specific.
Recommendation
Upon reflection, a clearer definition of the criteria of critical and non-critical items in each section of the practical assessment would assist the grading process.
Action Taken
The marking tool was evaluated and modified by the teaching team. Critical/non-critical items were bolded and highlighted in yellow to allow for clearer definition. There was also more opportunity provided within the ARC tool to include specific feedback for each section.
Source: SUTE student survey communication
Feedback
Some students reported a lack of consistency in the unit with regard to the practical skills component across tutors and campuses
Recommendation
Consider the meeting held with tutors across campuses at the beginning of the semester to be more "in-depth" with marking tool explanation and discussion of issues encountered from 2023. Regular communication of what is expected at the beginning of each week prior to each lab session to improve conistency. Consider improvement of videos made available in advance for both tutors and students to access.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: SUTE student communication and verbal communication at end of tutorials
Feedback
Students enjoyed the tutorials and the link of the content learned each week to real-life clinical examples
Recommendation
Maintain the additional content of patient cases and active discussion throughout tutorials to improve student/teacher engagement
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit co-ordinator reflection
Feedback
Provide more examples of what is critical/non-critical in marking tool to foster a better understanding of marking criteria
Recommendation
Consider adding images of critical and non-critical errors for each section of the marking tool for students to have a clearer idea of common mistakes/errors and expectations of what is required to pass each section. Investigate how lab demonstration videos may be used to provide clarity surrounding critical/non-critical errors.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and embryology of superficial structures to the sonographic examination.
  2. Differentiate the clinical appearance, sonographic appearance and aetiology of pathologies of superficial structures.
  3. Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce a sonographic report.
  4. Apply the practical skills and critical thinking necessary to perform a sonographic examination of the thyroid.
  5. Display professional behaviour, teamwork and communication skills and criteria to meet safe sonographic practice

The learning outcomes for this unit relate to the requirements of the Australasian Sonographer's Association Competency Standards for the Entry Level Sonographer.

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment
2 - Practical Assessment
3 - Online Quiz(zes)
4 - On-campus Activity
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment
2 - Practical Assessment
4 - On-campus Activity
3 - Online Quiz(zes)