RDGY41340

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
• perform routine abdominal ultrasound examinations with limited supervision;
---this includes a full hepatobiliary scan
---full renal assessment
---assessment of PV and HV
---ultrasound of the appendix
• demonstrate knowledge of the information which should be included in a full abdominal ultrasound scan report;
• recognize abdominal ultrasound pathology when scanning and image and describe relevant pathology under supervision;
• understand and recognize full abdominal anatomy with the help of live dissection in the anatomy lab
• demonstrate an ability to source and analyze appropriate literature;
• apply current theories of ultrasound, basic sciences, and communication to their clinical reasoning;
• justify the contribution of ultrasound to the overall management of the patient;
• work effectively in a group to discuss and evaluate ultrasound problems;
• self-evaluate their performance in the clinical and academic environment;
• discuss the social and ethical implications of abdominal ultrasound.

Indicative Module Content:

Students registered for this module are offered an opportunity to study the following abdominal ultrasound topics:
• Advanced abdominal pathology; ultrasound appearances and imaging techniques
• The oncology patient...what to expect on an abdominal ultrasound
• An overview of common pathologies of the paediatric abdomen
• Live anatomy dissection section in the anatomy wet lab
• Focus on renal system and spleen; patient presentation, image appearances including pathology and scanning tips
• Ultrasound of transplant kidney and spleen
• Resistive indices of the kidney
• Focus on ultrasound of liver vasculature
• Fundamentals of bowel ultrasound and how to scan the appendix
• The concepts and issues relating to communication, clinical history and clinical investigations, protocols and guidelines, and
ethical and social implications are included in all sessions delivered.

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Students must arrange and complete three months of clinical experience in an ultrasound department, which specializes in abdominal ultrasound prior to commencing this Programme.
Students must provide written evidence of an agreement with a clinical ultrasound department to provide clinical ultrasound experience and supervision throughout the Programme.
Students must register for all three Abdominal ultrasound modules and must complete a minimum of 145 hours of clinical practice.
Applicants should be qualified Radiographers with Department of Health and Children approval to practise Radiography in Ireland.
Applicants should have completed one year of general experience in Radiography.
Other Professionals are considered on individual merit, but must be actively scanning in order to undertake modules in the Master of Science (Ultrasound) Programme.

It is recommended that students spend as much time as possible performing clinical ultrasound examinations while undertaking ultrasound modules. Students will maximise their potential to develop high level clinical and academic skills in ultrasound by exceeding the minimum clinical hours stated for each module.

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written assignment: individual written Image Based Examination: SIS WEB results (verbal post results if requested) Portfolio: individual written (verbal if requested)