MEDIMAGE 726 : Ultrasound Assessment of Heart Disease 2

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Further develops the knowledge and skills required to critically analyse and interpret cardiac pathology and associated interventions including valvular heart disease, infective endocarditis, diseases of the aorta, cardiac masses, and systemic diseases. An emphasis will be placed on integrating theory and clinical practice elements to facilitate sound clinical reasoning, decision-making, and clinical competence. Students will continue their exploration of cultural safety.

Course Overview

Professionals performing cardiac ultrasound require 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 critically analyse and interpret cardiac function using 2D, M-mode, myocardial strain imaging, spectral, and colour Doppler modalities. Interpretation skills will be enhanced by integrating knowledge of anatomy and the cardiac cycle to use both qualitative and qualitative methods to determine the presence and severity of cardiac pathology. A critical lens will be required to examine the limitation of ultrasound and the application of haemodynamic calculations, and how this applies to clinical ultrasound. Lastly, the exploration of cultural safety will be continued.

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 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 (Cardiac Ultrasound) programme. Access to a clinical ultrasound department is required.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDIMAGE 724

Course Contacts

Course Director
Dr Sibusiso Mdletshe
Senior Lecturer
Email: sibusiso.mdletshe@auckland.ac.nz
https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/sibusiso-mdletshe

Course Coordinator
Dr Ellen Woodcock
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: ewoo161@aucklanduni.ac.nz 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critique the impact of systemic racism and anti-indigenous racism cultural on the determinants of health and the importance of power dynamics including personal position of power and cultural identity, in relation to cultural safety in Aotearoa New Zealand. (Capability 1, 5 and 8)
  2. Assess 2. Assess the aetiology of various forms of heart disease, using medical terminology and abbreviations, given a patient’s medical history and clinical presentation using written and verbal forms of communication. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
  3. Describe 3. Describe qualitative and quantitative methods used in the comprehensive assessment of heart disease, while integrating knowledge of anatomy and disease progression, and acknowledging the limitations of these methods. (Capability 4 and 5)
  4. Apply specialised theoretical and clinical knowledge to interpret ultrasound findings in the context of valvular heart disease and other cardiac pathologies by ultrasound valve disease and post-surgery, and correlating these finds to other diagnostic tests. (Capability 4 and 5)
  5. Apply and understand the limitations of advanced hemodynamic calculations to quantify valvular lesions. (Capability 2)
  6. Integrate knowledge of cardiovascular structure and its importance in maintaining cardiovascular function in health and disease. (Capability 4)
  7. Critically evaluate the pathophysiology presented in case studies with respect to recent scientific literature and clinical guidelines. (Capability 4 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 35% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 15% Individual Coursework
Test 40% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 0% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments
Quizzes
Case Studies
Test
Case Studies
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.

Students will also be expected to submit two case studies as formative assessments that contribute towards their Clinical ePortfolio. 

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.

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15-point course represents approximately 150 hours of study. This equates to approximately 12 hours per week 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, websites (10 hours).
  • Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours).

Delivery Mode

Online

The course is delivered primarily online. Attendance on campus is not required for the summative test; however, this course will be supported by a mandatory on campus course delivered at the Grafton campus near the start of the first semester. The campus course will incorporate an overview of the second-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.

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 textbooks for this course are:
  • Anderson, B. (2014). A Sonographer’s Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. MGS Graphics.
This textbook is available Philson library; however, it is recommended that you purchase a copy for your own reference to use throughout the programme.

Other 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 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.

This course is offered for the first time in 2025 and there is no prior feedback available. However, feedback from other courses within this programme will be utilised to inform the design of the course. 

Postgraduate courses do not have a Class Representative; instead, they have programme/ specialisation representatives who can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of studies.

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 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. 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 of the marks for the assignment. Major offences 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 Specialisations 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 13/12/2024 07:21 p.m.