TECHNOLOGY OF ULTRASOUND MODULES

These Problem Based Learning modules offer students the opportunity to achieve significant learning outcomes, which are highly valued by employers. Committed students can develop their clinical and academic knowledge of the technology of ultrasound, and simultaneously develop a range of generic skills such as information literacy, problem solving, self evaluation, group and individual skills.

The two Technology of Ultrasound modules are compulsory In order to undertake these modules students must be actively scanning in a clinical ultrasound department and have a named clinical supervisor. The work experience associated with this module should include supervised and independent investigation of the principles and applications of ultrasound technology.

Technology of Ultrasound 1

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning module are offered the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the following topics: Reflection and refraction; Emission and reception; Attenuation; Ultrasound equipment controls; Artefacts in ultrasound imaging; Safety of Ultrasound; Literature searching and evaluation; and Writing and poster presentation skills.

Technology of Ultrasound 2

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning module are offered the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the following topics: Doppler Technology; Management of Ultrasound Equipment; Recording of Ultrasound images; Quality Assurance; Current Technological Innovations; and Oral Presentation Skills.

ABDOMINAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL MODULES

These Problem Based Learning modules offer students the opportunity to achieve significant learning outcomes, which are highly valued by employers. Committed students can develop their clinical and academic knowledge of abdominal and gynaecological ultrasound, and simultaneously develop a range of generic skills such as information literacy, problem solving, self evaluation, group and individual skills.

The problems encountered will stimulate students to investigate issues from a wide variety of perspectives including: ultrasound anatomy, physiology, and pathology; ultrasound technology; communication; clinical history and clinical investigations; protocols and guidelines; and ethical and social implications.

The three abdominal and gynaecological ultrasound modules are linked to each other and all three must be selected. Students must arrange a clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 500 hours practising clinical abdominal and transabdominal and transvaginal gynaecological ultrasound examinations while undertaking these three modules.

Abdominal and Gynaecological Ultrasound 1

This Problem Based Learning Module offers the opportunity to study the following abdominal and pelvic ultrasound examinations: normal adult and paediatric abdomen; urinary system; hepatobiliary system; spleen; and transabdominal and transvaginal gynaecological ultrasound examinations of the normal female pelvis and uterus. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

Abdominal and Gynaecological Ultrasound 2

This module offers students the opportunity to develop their clinical practice of abdominal and gynaecological ultrasound, and their ability to reflect on their professional development. During the 250 hours of clinical practice required for this module students should undertake ultrasound examinations of the abdomen including the normal and abnormal adult and paediatric abdomen; and transabdominal and transvaginal gynaecological ultrasound examinations of the normal and abnormal female pelvis.

Students are expected to participate in reporting sessions and case conferences related to the above examinations and develop their image evaluation and report writing skills. Students are expected to develop their communication skills through clinical experience and subsequent reflection. During this module students will participate in PBL problems related to the first trimester of pregnancy and the pancreas. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 250 hours.

Abdominal and Gynaecological Ultrasound 3

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning Module are offered the opportunity to study the following abdominal and pelvic ultrasound examinations:
the abdominal vasculature; the peritoneum and retroperitoneum; the oncology patient; transabdominal and transvaginal gynaecological examinations of: the ovaries; the subfertile patient; and pelvic pathology. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

VASCULAR ULTRASOUND MODULES

These Problem Based Learning modules offer students the opportunity to achieve significant learning outcomes which are highly valued by employers. Committed students can develop their clinical and academic knowledge of vascular ultrasound, and simultaneously develop a range of generic skills such as information literacy, problem solving, self evaluation, group and individual skills.

The problems encountered will stimulate students to investigate issues from a wide variety of perspectives including: ultrasound anatomy, physiology, and pathology; ultrasound technology; communication; clinical history and clinical investigations; protocols and guidelines; and ethical and social implications.

The three vascular modules are linked to each other and all three must be selected. Students must arrange a clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 500 hours practising clinical vascular ultrasound while undertaking these three vascular modules.

Vascular Ultrasound 1

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning Module are offered an opportunity to study the following aspects of vascular ultrasound: Doppler applications; arterial haemodynamics; arterial disease; cerebrovascular circulation; ultrasound grading of stenosis. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

Vascular Ultrasound 2

This module offers students an opportunity to develop their clinical practice of vascular ultrasound, and their ability to reflect on their professional development. During this module students will attend the university to work on problems related to venous haemodynamics and venous thrombosis imaging.
During the 250 hours of clinical practice required for this module students should undertake a wide range of cerebrovascular, venous and peripheral arterial vascular ultrasound examinations.

Students are expected to participate in reporting sessions and case conferences related to the above examinations and develop their image evaluation and report writing skills. Students are expected to develop their communication skills through clinical experience and subsequent reflection. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 250 hours.

Vascular Ultrasound 3

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning Module are offered the opportunity to study the following aspects of vascular ultrasound: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) examinations; Upper and lower limb arterial investigations; post operative assessment of graft function; ultrasound contrast agents; application of new technologies; and other diagnostic techniques. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

SUPERFICIAL STRUCTURES MODULES

These three Problem Based Learning modules offer students the opportunity to achieve significant learning outcomes, which are highly valued by employers. Committed students can develop their clinical and academic knowledge related to ultrasonography of superficial structures, and simultaneously develop a range of generic skills such as information literacy, problem solving, self evaluation, group and individual skills.

The problems encountered will stimulate students to investigate issues from a wide variety of perspectives including: ultrasound anatomy, physiology, and pathology; ultrasound technology; communication; clinical history and clinical investigations; protocols and guidelines; and ethical and social implications.

The three superficial structures ultrasound modules are linked to each other and all three must be selected. Students must arrange a clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 500 hours practising ultrasonography of superficial structures while undertaking these three modules.

Ultrasound of Superficial Structures 1

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning Module are offered the opportunity to study the following ultrasound investigations of superficial structures: Thyroid, Breast, Testes, and Neonatal head. The minimum clinical practice for this module is 125 hours.

Ultrasound of Superficial Structures 2

This module offers students the opportunity to develop their clinical practice of ultrasonography of Superficial Structures, and their ability to reflect on their professional development. During the 250 hours of clinical practice required for this module students should undertake ultrasound examinations of superficial structures including the thyroid, breast, testes, neonatal head, and musculo-skeletal structures. During this module students will atttend the University to work on problems related to the musculoskeletal system.

Students are expected to participate in reporting sessions and case conferences related to the above examinations and develop their image evaluation and report writing skills. Students are expected to develop their communication skills through clinical experience and subsequent reflection. The minimum clinical practice for this module is 250 hours

Ultrasound of Superficial Structures 3

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning Module are offered the opportunity to work in small groups researching problems they have identified related to ultrasound of superficial structures. They will learn through peer interactions and independent study. Experienced ultrasonographers will provide interactive sessions on topics identified by the students.
NB The minimum clinical practice for this module is 125 hours.

OBSTETRICAL AND GYNAECOLOGICAL MODULES

These Problem Based Learning modules offer students the opportunity to achieve significant learning outcomes which are highly valued by employers. Committed students can develop their clinical and academic knowledge of obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound, and simultaneously develop a range of generic skills such as information literacy, problem solving, self evaluation, group and individual skills.

The problems encountered will stimulate students to investigate issues from a wide variety of perspectives including: ultrasound anatomy, physiology, and pathology; ultrasound technology; communication; clinical history and clinical investigations; protocols and guidelines; and ethical and social implications.

During the required clinical practice required for these modules students should undertake a wide range of obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound examinations. Students are expected to participate in reporting sessions and case conferences related to obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound and develop their image evaluation and report writing skills. Students are expected to develop their communication skills through clinical experience and subsequent reflection.

There are two options for students applying to study obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound.

Option 1 Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 1,3 and 5

This option includes the core curriculum for obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound and is recommended primarily to radiographers who wish to study two clinical specialties e.g. abdominal and obstetrical ultrasound. Students must arrange a clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 500 hours practising clinical obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound examinations while undertaking these three modules.

Option 2 Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 1,2,3,4,5 & 6

This option includes the core curriculum for obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound and three additional modules which offer students an opportunity to deepen their knowledge in this specialty. This option is primarily recommended to midwives who wish to specialise solely in Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound. Students must arrange a clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 1000 hours practising clinical obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound examinations while undertaking these six modules.

Module Description

Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 1

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning Module are offered an opportunity to study the following obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound topics: obstetric ultrasound examinations of: the first trimester; fetal biometry; fetal anatomy scans; multiple pregnancy; anomaly scanning; interpretation of biochemical, genetic and other invasive and non invasive screening/diagnostic tests; gynaecological ultrasound examinations of the: normal female pelvis; uterine pathology; first trimester; early pregnancy loss to include gestation trophoblastic disease.
NB The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 2

This module is recommended to midwives specialising in obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound. It offers students an opportunity to develop their research and teamwork skills. Students are facilitated in proposing a group project, which investigates and reports on a controversy at the forefront of the field of obstetrics and gynaecology nationally and internationally. The topics which will be considered for investigation in this module include the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and gynaecology issues. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 3

This module offers students the opportunity to develop their clinical practice of obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound, and their ability to reflect on their professional development. During this module students will attend the university to work on problems related to fetal growth and ovarian pathology. During the 250 hours of clinical practice required for this module students should undertake a wide range of transabdominal and transvaginal examinations related to gynaecological and obstetrical ultrasound. The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 250 hours

Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 4

This module is recommended to midwives specialising in obsteteric and gynaecological ultrasound. It offers students an opportunity to extend their clinical practice of obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound, and their ability to reflect on their professional development. During the 250 hours of clinical practice required for this module students should undertake a wide range of transabdominal and transvaginal examinations related to gynaecological and obstetrical ultrasound.
NB The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 250 hours.

Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 5

Students registered for this Problem Based Learning Module are offered an opportunity to study the following aspects of obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound: fetal echocardiography; fetal well being assessment; fetal biophysical profile; Doppler studies; placenta and umbilical cord; fetal anomaly scanning; antenatal CTG; interventional techniques; post partum evaluation; infertility and subfertility; and pelvic pathology.
The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound 6

This module is recommended to midwives specialising in obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound. It offers students an opportunity to identify and investigate an individual project based on controversy at the forefront of the field of obstetrics and gynaecology nationally and internationally, thereby developing their research skills. The topic of the project is proposed by the student and negotiated with the module leader or nominated lecturer.
The minimum clinical practice hours for this module is 125 hours.

The aim of the MSc (Ultrasound) is to develop ultrasonographers who can respond to the dynamic needs of the profession, the health service and its users. To this end the programme will develop professional competencies by integrating the following domains: high level clinical skills; specialist theoretical knowledge; and advanced key skills. These embedded advanced key skills include teamwork, problem solving, leadership, communication, self- directed learning, information literacy, self evaluation and applied research.

Healthcare professionals who provide ultrasound imaging services need to be highly educated in a wide variety of skills in order to practice, manage and direct this rapidly evolving field. This modularised course at level 4 (NQAI 9) employs a problem based learning approach.

This Problem Based Learning (PBL) curriculum consists of carefully selected and designed ultrasound problems that demand from the learner acquisition of critical knowledge, clinical reasoning, problem solving proficiency, self directed learning strategies and teamwork skills. This PBL process replicates the commonly used systematic approach to resolving problems and meeting challenges in professional ultrasonography practice

In this approach didactic lectures are replaced with carefully designed problems, which incorporate multiple issues for investigation. Students work in small facilitated groups to tease out the elements of the problem, they agree what they need to learn in order to solve the problem. They then work individually on these identified issues. Subsequently students return to their facilitated groups and discuss their new knowledge related to the problem.

In addition resource sessions will be scheduled to provide students with opportunities to discuss their practice with experts in the field and to be exposed to a variety of case studies.