Course Title: Abdominal Ultrasound

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Abdominal Ultrasound

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
RADI1074	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	160H Medical Sciences	Distance / Correspondence	Sem 1 2015
RADI1074	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 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 West Campus

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

RADI 1078 and RADI 1081 (or equivalents).

You must be engaged in ultrasound scanning for a minimum of 3 days per week throughout the semester.

 

Course Description

The course covers abdominal ultrasound theory and practice, excluding those used in obstetrics and gynaecology.  It establishes a theoretical basis upon which abdominal ultrasound assessment is performed, and develops the skills required for competent general sonographic examinations of the abdomen.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

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

 
• Describe the anatomy, physiology and normal variations of the liver, gall bladder and biliary tract, pancreas, spleen, urinary tract, retroperitoneum and great vessels and identify the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of these structures.

• Describe and competently perform a sonographic examination of the abdomen. 

• Explain the significance of clinical tests relevant to structures within the abdomen.

• Locate and critically assess information on sonography of the abdomen.

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

• Demonstrate an understanding of the sonographic patterns of abdominal disease.

• Describe the anatomy, physiology and normal variations of the paediatric abdomen and identify normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the paediatric abdomen. .

• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles in ultrasound assisted intervention.

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 found on myRMIT and specifically by:

• Completing Assessment Tasks as set out in the Assessment Materials area on myRMIT.

• Exploring reference material set out on myRMIT.

• Maintaining a Reflective Learning Journal and submitting this and Clinical Skills Assessment Reports 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 tutors 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 you will require a personal computer with Windows, MS Office and Internet Explorer Web browser, or equivalent. You will also require internet access via an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Overview of Assessment

The assessment may comprise 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 documented via a Reflective Learning Journal.  Practical scanning assessment of the upper abdomen is conducted by your clinical supervisor in the workplace at mid and end of semester.