MRS543 Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasound (8)

Abstract

This subject is offered concurrently with supervised clinical practice to develop competency in sonography of the upper abdomen, pelvis and abdominal wall. The emphasis is on using the optimal technical approach and patient management to enable successful demonstration of normal anatomy and diagnosis of pathology and / or trauma. Students will use a critical analytical approach to identify and understand the clinical questions and to demonstrate appropriate scanning techniques and acquisition of sonographic information. Interpretation of sonographic findings will be underpinned by a thorough understanding of the relevant anatomic, physiologic and pathological processes.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
Distance	Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MRS543
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration	Grading System	School:
One session	HD/FL	School of Dentistry and Health Sciences

Assumed Knowledge

Students are expected to have background knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology.
Students enrolled in MRS543 must be employed in a general ultrasound department under appropriate supervision for the duration of the subject.

Enrolment restrictions

Available only to students enrolling in the Graduate Diploma or Master of Medical Ultrasound courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to undertake the following ultrasound examinations in a safe and ethical manner providing due care for the patient to a minimum level of advanced beginner: the abdominal organs and glands; male pelvis; female pelvis - transabdominal and transvaginal; major vessels; retroperitoneum; urinary and gastrointestinal tracts.
be able to explain the theoretical concepts of, but not necessarily perform without supervision the following procedures: male pelvis transrectal ultrasound.
be able to present sonographic images demonstrating a logical and methodical approach to scanning and communicate findings clearly and accurately.
be able to recognise a range of normal and abnormal image appearances of the areas listed in the syllabus and explain the contributing role and nature of pathologic and developmental processes.
be able to explain the significance of clinical tests and complementary modalities relevant to topics within the syllabus.
be able to critically evaluate their own professional practice.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:

Module 1: Prevention of cross infection and patient care including: Prevention of cross infection; Recommendations; Patient and sonographer care.
Module 2: Upper abdominal sonography including: The aorta and retroperitoneum; pancreas; liver and biliary tree; urinary tract; adrenal glands; spleen; gastro-intestinal tract.
Module 3: The anterior abdominal wall including: Indications for ultrasound; Basic gross and sonographic anatomy; Scanning protocols and techniques; Pathological processes; Technical pitfalls of anterior abdominal wall sonography.
Module 4: The male pelvis including: Indications for ultrasound of the male pelvis; Basic gross and sonographic anatomy of the prostate; Basic scanning protocols and technique of prostatic sonography ; Common pathological processes of the prostate and seminal vesicles ; Technical pitfalls of prostatic sonography.
Module 5: The female pelvis including: Indications for ultrasound of the female pelvis; Basic gross and sonographic anatomy of the female pelvis; The basics of the menstrual cycle; Basic laboratory tests of the female reproductive tract; Scanning protocols and technique of the female reproductive tract ; Common pathological processes of the female reproductive tract ; Technical pitfalls associated with female pelvic sonography.

Work Place Learning

This subject contains a Compulsory Workplace Learning component of 18 days duration. Students are required to be working in a medical ultrasound department as a trainee sonographer as a condition of enrolment in the medical ultrasound courses. Students may work in public or private practice and are employees of the clinical institution on a paid or supernumerary basis. Students work under the supervision of an Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Accredited Medical Sonographer and are eligible to join the ASAR registry as an Accredited Student Sonographer. As the student’s skills progress from novice to advanced beginner the level of supervision will typically progress from direct supervision to a more general supervision in keeping with the employer's requirements, thus the students become immersed in fully authentic roles of practice. As students perform a range of ultrasound examinations in the workplace they are able to collect data from selected examinations to write up for assignment submissions (case studies and case reports). In addition, they undertake a process of critical reflection upon their practice and are encouraged to work closely with supervisors and colleagues to inform and improve their professional practice.

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The information contained in the 2016 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 06 September 2016. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

Handbook 2016