MEDIMAGE 728 : Advanced Concepts in Cardiac Ultrasound

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Further develops the knowledge and skills required to critically analyse and interpret complex forms of heart disease while beginning to explore advanced echocardiography techniques. Complementary diagnostic modalities used in the investigation of heart disease are introduced. Integrating knowledge of a broader range of diagnostic modalities allows practitioners the opportunity to correlate diagnostic findings, and provide a deeper understanding of underlying pathology.

Course Overview

Learn how to critically analyse and interpret complex forms of heart disease such as various cardiomyopathies, and pericardial disease, using 2D, M-mode, myocardial strain imaging, spectral, and colour Doppler modalities obtained during the routine adult echocardiogram examination, while integrating knowledge of anatomy, the cardiac cycle, and changes in haemodynamics. Moreover, situations arise in the clinical setting when a standard transthoracic cardiac ultrasound does not provide a clear diagnostic pathway, in these instances advanced echocardiography techniques, or complementary imaging modalities may be required to provide additional information. 

Discover the utility of advanced echocardiography techniques, and the valuable information they can provide. A critical lens will be required to examine the strength and limitations of advanced echocardiography techniques, and common diagnostic modalities used in the investigation of heart disease. As a final exploration into cultural safety, students are provided an opportunity to collaboratively apply indigenous knowledge to solve current issues of health inequality and promote ongoing inquisitiveness into cultural safety.

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.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDIMAGE 726

Course Contacts

Course Director
Adrienne Young
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: aj.young@auckland.ac.nz 
https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/people/aj-young 

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

Allanah Harrington
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: allanah.harrington@auckland.ac.nz
https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/allanah-harrington

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Examine the aetiology of cardiomyopathies and pericardial diseases, 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)
  2. Appraise evidence-based qualitative and quantitative methods used for the comprehensive assessment of cardiomyopathies and pericardial disease, while integrating knowledge of anatomy and disease progression, and acknowledging the limitations of these methods. (Capability 3)
  3. Critically assess the application of and interpret 3D, myocardial strain, transoesophageal echocardiography, stress echocardiography and contrast echocardiography. (Capability 3)
  4. Compare the strength and weakness of advanced echocardiography techniques and commonly used diagnostic modalities used to investigate heart disease. (Capability 2)
  5. Critically appraise research-based theoretical and clinical knowledge used to interpret ultrasound findings in cardiomyopathy and pericardial diseases, by analysing 2D, m-mode, Doppler, strain imaging, and contrast findings, and correlating these finds to other diagnostic tests. (Capability 2)
  6. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of cardiovascular physiology and cardiovascular disease mechanisms using real-world applications. (Capability 1 and 3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 25% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Presentation 25% Individual Coursework
Test 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Quizzes
Presentation
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.

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.
  • Lilly, L.S. (2021). Pathophysiology of heart disease: A Collaborative Project of Medical students and Faculty (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This textbook is available Philson library; however, it is recommended that you purchase a copy for your own reference to use throughout the programme.

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.

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.