Course Title: Vascular Ultrasound

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Vascular Ultrasound

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

RADI1077

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Distance / Correspondence

 Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016

RADI1077

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Internet

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014

Course Coordinator: Dr Heather Clarke

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7218

Course Coordinator Email: heather.clarke@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

RADI 1078 and RADI 1081 or equivalent(s).

You will need to be engaged in clinical ultrasound scanning for a minimum of 3 days per week throughout the semester.
 


Course Description

The course covers vascular ultrasound theory and practice. It establishes a theoretical basis upon which all vascular assessment is performed and develops a knowledge base in all areas of vascular ultrasound.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

 
• Describe and explain the haemodynamics, normal physiological and pathological factors that influence arterial and venous blood flow.

• Describe the anatomy and physiology of the intra and extracranial arterial system, peripheral vascular systems, abdominal vascular system and identify the common clinical presentations and associated pathology.

• Describe the ultrasound techniques used in the examination of carotids arteries, lower limb veins, aorta, renal, mesenteric and peripheral vascular studies.

• Optimise the use of sonographic equipment in the production of images.

• Competently perform sonographic examinations of the carotid arteries and lower limb venous system to exclude Deep Venous Thrombosis.

• Demonstrate the applications of colour flow and spectral Doppler imaging and explain how to optimise the images produced

• Outline and explain the safety issues associated with colour flow imaging and spectral Doppler. Identify the complexities of stenosis classification.

• Understand the role of Colour Duplex/ABI in leg evaluation.

• Understand the applications of Colour Duplex during pregnancy and in small parts scanning. Assess masses and be able to describe the Colour Duplex features that characterise them.

• Explain the use of ultrasound contrast agents and discuss the direction of ultrasound development in the area of vascular ultrasound.



Overview of Learning Activities

An online study guide will direct your learning in this course together with supervised clinical practice experience in the workplace. You will be encouraged to explore reference material independently and to read widely in the area.

You will learn in this course by following instructions given in myRMIT and specifically by:

  • Completing Assessment Tasks as set out in the Assessment Materials area of myRMIT.
  • Exploring reference material according to exercises set out in myRMIT.
  • Maintaining a Reflective Learning Journal and submitting this and Clinical Skills Assessments on due dates throughout the semester.
  • Maintaining a Clinical Log of Cases while enrolled in the program and submitting this as a hard copy at the completion of the Program.

Throughout the semester you will receive feedback on your learning in various forms from the course tutor. The aim is to provide helpful feedback. You are encouraged to ask questions of your course tutor via the Discussion Forum on myRMIT on any aspect of the course content that you may find difficult to understand.

 


Overview of Learning Resources

To access course materials the students will require a personal computer with Windows XP, MS Office and a Web browser, or equivalent. You will also require internet access via an Internet Service Provider (ISP).


Overview of Assessment

The assessment comprises of Assignments and Online Tests that provide feedback to you, in addition to a written Examination at the end of the semester.  Practical scanning progress and learning is documentes via a Reflective Learning Journal.  Practical scanning assessments in both Carotid and DVT ultrasound examinations are conducted by your clinical supervisor in the workplace at mid and end of semester.