MEDIMAGE 722 : Special Topic: Introduction to Cardiac Ultrasound

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduces cardiac ultrasound by exploring the analysis and interpretation of the 2D, M-mode, spectral Doppler, and colour Doppler components of the normal cardiac ultrasound examination. An emphasis will be placed on integrating theory and clinical practice elements to facilitate sound clinical reasoning, decision-making and clinical competence.

Course Overview

Cardiac ultrasound is a highly specialised, and rapidly evolving diagnostic tool, that uses sound waves to interrogate the heart. Professionals performing cardiac ultrasound need a sound understanding of cardiac anatomy and physiology; cardiac pathophysiology; principles of physics; fundamental ultrasound techniques; and specialised knowledge, to accurately perform diagnostic examinations. Learn how to analyse and interpret 2D, M-mode, spectral, and colour Doppler components of the normal adult echocardiogram examination, while integrating knowledge of anatomy, the cardiac cycle, and normal haemodynamics. An overview of imaging artefacts will prepare students to differentiate artefacts from pathology. The interpretation of rhythms frequently seen in the cardiac ultrasound laboratory will also be introduced. Lastly, the importance of communication in health care will be examined.
The course is delivered primarily online by distance via the University of Auckland’s learning management system ‘Canvas’. It incorporates a range of learning approaches including videos, webpages, links to 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.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director

Dr Sibusiso Mdletshe

Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Director

Email: sibusiso.mdletshe@auckland.ac.nz

Profile: https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/sibusiso-mdletshe


Course Coordinator:

Allanah Harrington

Professional Teaching Fellow

Email: allanah.harrington@auckland.ac.nz

Profile: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/allanah-harrington 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Assess normal cardiac anatomy and corresponding vessels on 2-D ultrasound. (Capability 3)
  2. Analyse the application of 2D, M-mode, spectral Doppler, and colour Doppler on the normal cardiac ultrasound exam. (Capability 3)
  3. Outline image optimisation techniques, transducer orientation, and patient positioning for each scan plane in the normal cardiac ultrasound examination. (Capability 3)
  4. Perform and interpret images and basic measurements and calculations on images obtained during the normal cardiac ultrasound examination using a critical lens and normal reference values to formulate a written report. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
  5. Interpret normal, abnormal, and life-threatening rhythms using electrocardiography. (Capability 3)
  6. Examine how communication, interpersonal and interprofessional dynamics, adapted to a range of social, cultural, and ethical perspectives, impact on their role as a medical imaging practitioner. (Capability 1, 4, 6 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Reflection 20% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Test 40% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Reflection
Quizzes
Test
This course is 100% internally assessed. An aggregated mark of 50% or more is required to successfully pass this course. Resubmission of failed assessments is not permitted.
Penalties for excessive word count and/or late submission (without prior written approval for an extension) will be applied in accordance with the 'Medical Imaging Assessment Requirements and Presentation Criteria' document.
The course Canvas page has more detailed information on assessment processes and requirements.
Reflection assessment will include a reflective journal entry & online discussion forum.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in. This represents approximately 150 hours of study and 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, and websites (10 hours).

• Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours).

Delivery Mode

Online

The course is delivered online with all modules being available from the beginning of the semester to allow some degree of flexible learning. Attendance on campus is not required for the summative test; however, this course will be supported by a mandatory orientation course delivered at the Grafton campus near the start of the first semester. The mandatory orientation course will incorporate an overview of the first-year courses using lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, labs, and interactive scanning sessions to enhance learning. Self-assessment tools throughout the course will provide an opportunity for students to receive continuous feedback on their comprehension of the content delivered.

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.

This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning 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.

The required textbook for this course is:
  • Anderson, B. (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and echocardiography Measurements (3rd ed.). Echotext Pty Ltd.
This textbook is available at Philson library; however, it is recommended that you purchase a copy for your reference to use throughout the programme.
In addition, a large selection of other resources will be able to be accessed online via the University Library databases.

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.

Student feedback is very important to the continuous development of this course and has driven many of the
positive changes we have been able to make in our course offerings.

This course was offered for the first time in 2024. Students regularly commented that content release was not readily available, particularly the week's pre-readings.  Since students are expected to do the pre-readings, the decision was made to release the pre-readings ahead of the content delivery to allow students access and time to prepare for the session. 

The access to the textbook to do the pre-readings was another area of feedback provided. A hard copy of the recommended textbook is available at the library. Students are also expected to purchase a copy of the textbook, and this reminder is sent out to the students at the start of the semester.

Case studies are an important aspect of this course, it allows students to demonstrate their clinical skills alongside their academic learning. Students felt that the case study feedback was limited. Case studies are a valuable tool to assess the students' progress. The decision has now been made to integrate the case studies into the course assignments. This will ensure that a standard is achieved across all clinical sites and there is an expected level of feedback provided to all students. 




Other Information

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 on time.
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. Email communication to university staff and supervisors must be sent from the student’s University email address.
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'.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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 Student Academic Conduct Statute (2021) provides further advice on how to avoid plagiarism. More information can be found in the ‘Medical Imaging Programme Information’ on Canvas.
The penalties for plagiarism can be severe, including losing some or all the marks for the assessment. Major offenses can be sent to the University’s Discipline Committee, where further penalties can be imposed.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Contact details for the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representatives may be found in the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Programme Information on Canvas.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your 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. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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.

Published on 11/11/2024 09:05 a.m.