CLINIMAG 719 Ultrasound Abdominal Clinical Applications - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Addresses normal and abnormal ultrasound imaging appearances, scanning techniques and applications associated with abdominal ultrasound examinations. An emphasis will be placed on integrating theory and clinical practice elements to facilitate sound clinical decision making and clinical competence.

Course Overview

This course aims to cultivate a critically questioning approach to ultrasound imaging of the abdomen. Students will be required to assimilate the underlying physical principles of ultrasound with relevant biological processes and imaging appearances. Learning activities and assessments are designed to support the development of not only clinical competency, but also growth holistically as a reflective practitioner.

The course is delivered fully online and incorporates a range of learning approaches including videos, webpages, links to the library databases and resources, and utilising online technologies to promote shared learning opportunities. Academic learning is expected to inform clinical practice and enhance levels of clinical competency.

This course is a compulsory part of the PGDipHSc (Ultrasound) programme (with the exception of students completing CLINIMAG 709). Access to a clinical ultrasound department is required.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDIMAGE 716 Restriction: CLINIMAG 704, 714

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Critically evaluate a range of applications to investigate specific regions and pathologies of the abdomen. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
Critically discuss appropriate protocols and scanning techniques for abdominal imaging. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2)
Integrate knowledge of normal and abnormal anatomy, embryology, pathophysiology, ultrasound physics and clinical data, with imaging appearances, to provide a provisional interpretation and differential diagnosis. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 4.1)
Apply an evidence-based approach to clinical decision-making and problem solving. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Clinical Case Analysis	25%	Individual Coursework
Online Case-Based Discussions	15%	Group & Individual Coursework
MCQ, Short Answer and Image Evaluation Tests	60%	Individual Coursework
3 types	100%

Assessment Type	Learning Outcome Addressed
	1	2	3	4
Clinical Case Analysis
Online Case-Based Discussions
MCQ, Short Answer and Image Evaluation Tests

This course is 100% internally assessed. An aggregated mark of 60% or more is required to successfully pass this course. The course Canvas page has more detailed information on assessment processes and requirements.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in the course website located in the University’s learning platform Canvas, which also includes reading lists (where available). In addition, a large selection of other resources will be able to be accessed online via the Philson Library databases.

Course Contacts

Course Coordinator
Adriana Mijatovic
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: adriana.mijatovic@auckland.ac.nz
https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/adriana-mijatovic

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15-point course represents approximately 150 hours of study. This may be broken down as follows:

Set readings relevant to ultrasound theory and clinical practice (40 hours)
Other resources provided on Canvas e.g. videos, websites (10 hours)
Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours)

Other Information

Communication

All official communication to a student will be sent to the student’s current University email address (username@aucklanduni.ac.nz) and the student is responsible for ensuring that any desired forwarding to other addresses is in place and operating correctly. Staff will not be responsible for any consequences if students fail to read and respond to University correspondence in a timely manner.

Students are encouraged to use the course ‘Discussion’ forum on Canvas as much as possible for communication with staff and other students. Email may be used for more private matters.

As a general rule, students are advised to log-on at least twice a week. Logging on regularly allows regular checking of 'Announcements' as well as reading and responding to messages from peers on 'Discussions'.

In the event of an unexpected disruption
We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinator will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Fitness to practise (FTP)

As health professional students, in addition to meeting the University of Auckland graduate profile capabilities, students in the Medical Imaging postgraduate programmes are required to demonstrate their fitness to practise. This applies to students at all times, whether they are on campus, on placement or elsewhere.

Fitness to practise (FTP) is concerned primarily with patient and public safety. It also is concerned with upholding professional standards, including the relevant professional code of conduct, and contributing to the maintenance of the reputation of the profession and public confidence in the profession.

For further information visit FMHS Fitness to Practise Policy (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-to-practise/fmhs-fitness-to-practise-policy.html

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

The way to avoid plagiarism is to reference your work. Please refer to the following website for further information about academic referencing: www.cite.auckland.ac.nz/

The document ‘Guidelines: Conduct of Coursework’ provides further advice on how to avoid plagiarism. It can be found in the ‘Medical Imaging Programme Information’ on Canvas.

The penalties for plagiarism can be severe, including losing some or all of the marks for the assignment. Major offences can be sent to the University’s Discipline Committee, where further penalties can be imposed.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Postgraduate courses do not have a Class Representative. However, the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representative (Bridgette Place) can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of Studies. Bridgette may be contacted by email at bpla537@aucklanduni.ac.nz

In the last course SET evaluation, CLINIMAG 719 students indicated that they liked having practice questions set up for the final semester test. Students found that the tests forced them to study and helped with their ability to link clinical presentation and the sonographic appearance. Students also made comments about the number of discussion boards available. The majority of students found the discussion boards helpful and would appreciate more open-ended questions that allowed for in-depth discussions between their colleagues. In response to the student feedback, discussion forums about interesting clinical cases will be implemented to encourage queries about best practice and ethical dilemmas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Capability 1:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 3:	Solution Seeking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement

CLINIMAG 719 : Ultrasound Abdominal Clinical Applications

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)