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Unit outline_

CRIT5010: Point of Care Ultrasound

Semester 2, 2023 [Distance education/intensive on campus] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Point of care ultrasound is used routinely in the assessment and management of critically ill patients. This unit of study will introduce students to ultrasound physics and knobology. Students will learn how to perform scans including e-FAST, AAA, vascular access, DVT studies, renal, hepatobiliary, basic echo, lung and early pregnancy. This unit satisfies the coursework required by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound Medicine (ASUM) for the Certificate of Clinician Performed Ultrasound (CCPU).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Critical Care
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Khanh Nguyen, khanh.nguyen1@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small test Short answer questions
Short answer
30% Multiple weeks 1 to 2 hours each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Patient scan uploads
Patient scanning skills assessment
60% Multiple weeks 2 to 4 scans each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task hurdle task ACI physics module
Online module
0% Week 02 2 to 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation hurdle task Face to face workshop
Attendance
0% Week 02 2 days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Module quizzes
Online MCQ
10% Weekly 15 minutes each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Module quizzes: Following the lecture series in each of the 10 modules in this unit of study, there will be a set of 10 MCQs that students are required to complete. Students are allowed one attempt only to complete the graded module quizzes. Each graded quiz consists of 10 single best answer questions.
  • Short answer questions: In 9 of the 10 modules in this unit of study, there will be an SAQ that students are required to complete. Students are allowed one attempt only. The SAQ is broken down into a series of multi questions. Students need to provide an answer before the ideal answer is revealed. They will then move onto the next part of the question. Students will not be able to return to previously answered questions.
  • Patient scan uploads: Throughout the semester, students are required to perform hands on scanning of healthy volunteers or patients and submit them online for assessment on our secure server. The aim of the assessment is to ensure adequate images are obtained and that the image quality is optimised. Scans demonstrating pathology will not gain more marks than normal studies.
  • Face to face workshops: The attendance of the 2-day face to face is compulsory. There are no marks assigned for attendance. Prior to the day, students are expected to watch all the demonstration videos online. These are supplemented by cheat sheet “how to perform an ultrasound” guides. Students will rotate in groups to obtain hands on experience of performing all scans in the unit of study. Sonographers and credentialed clinicians will guide the student through all windows required as well as tips and tricks on how to improve scanning technique. For students interested in enrolling into a formal credentialing program, there will be opportunity to discuss this at the face to face course.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: Physics and knobology Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Face to face workshop Workshop (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 2: Vascular access Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 3: e-Fast Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 4: AAA Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 5: Lung Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 6: Echo and life support Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 6: Echo and life support Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 7: DVT Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 8: Renal Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 9: Gallbladder Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 10: First trimester pregnancy Online class (10 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Friday 11 - Sunday 13th August 2023 (Week 2 of semester)
Westmead Precinct Central Acute Services Building (CASB).
Attendance is compulsory.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Critical Care Ultrasound Manual (2012) edn 1 A Mclean and S Huang, Elsevier
  • Emergency Ultrasound Made Easy (2011) edn 2 J Bowra and R McLaughlin, Elsevier Health Sciences

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of point of care ultrasound as a tool which aids the clinician on bedside management
  • LO2. Understand regional anatomy relevant to the ultrasound performed and to be able to correlate this with images obtained on the ultrasound screen
  • LO3. Utilise correct ultrasound probe for the specific study
  • LO4. Optimise patient position to obtain relevant ultrasound windows
  • LO5. Become efficient at image optimisation by changing depth, focus and time-gain-compensation on the ultrasound
  • LO6. Conclude whether the ultrasound study is positive or negative for pathology
  • LO7. Use feedback given by accredited clinicians / sonographers to improve image acquisition.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered. We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.