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RDGY41430

Academic Year 2024/2025

Obstetrics Ultrasound 6 (RDGY41430)

Subject:
Radiography
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Mary Moran
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Clinical Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module offers students the opportunity to consolidate their academic and clinical skills in obstetric ultrasound. Committed students can develop high level clinical and academic knowledge of obstetric ultrasound, and simultaneously develop high level generic skills such as information literacy, and self evaluation. Current and new practices related to obstetric ultrasound are discussed. Students registered for this module are offered an opportunity to study fetal echocardiography; the role of ultrasound in the third trimester; the role of ultrasound in the postnatal period; the management of the high-risk patient, the role of ultrasound in termination of pregnancy and the role of the perinatal midwife. Current practice issues are highlighted and reviewed as relevant. Students are given the opportunity to discuss all aspects of bereavement support both for their patients and themselves as care-givers. Students will also be given an opportunity to develop their research skills and reflective practice in the writing of a high level academic review on a topic relating to obstetric ultrasound. The areas covered 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 minimum clinical practice hours for this module are 125 hours.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
independently take a thorough history prior to all ultrasound scans and independently check all previous ultrasound images and reports of relevance;
independently explain the aims and objectives of each scan, and any other relevant information to the patient, and independently obtain verbal consent from the patient prior every scan;
perform first trimester scans, a fetal anatomy check at 11-14 weeks in line with local policy, second trimester routine anomaly scans, growth scans and assessment of fetal wellbeing, first, second and third trimester multiple pregnancy scans independently;
complete a fetal umbilical artery Doppler assessment, a fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler assessment and a uterine artery Doppler assessment independently;
write accurate sonographer reports for obstetric examinations, and arrange any necessary follow up following the scan independently;
reflect on their current practice in a critical manner;
manage an ultrasound session independently;
integrate current theories of ultrasound, basic sciences and communication in their clinical reasoning, justifying the contribution of ultrasound to the overall management of the patient;
identify important obstetric issues for investigation;
develop and write a structured, reflective literature review demonstrating reflection on the social and ethical issues arising in their practice of obstetric ultrasound;
work in a safe ergonomic environment.


Indicative Module Content:

Students registered for this module will receive resource sessions relating to the following topics:
the concepts of fetal echocardiography;
the role of ultrasound in the third trimester;
the role of ultrasound in the postnatal period
current practice issues;
the role of ultrasound in termination of pregnancy
the role of the perinatal midwife and
the role of bereavement support for both patients and sonographers.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

6

Tutorial

16

Autonomous Student Learning

88

Placement/Work Experience

125

Total

235


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
active/task-based learning;
lectures;
critical writing;
reflective learning;
clinical practice

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students must provide written evidence of an agreement with a clinical ultrasound department to provide clinical ultrasound experience and supervision throughout the Programme.
This module requires a minimum of 125 hours of clinical practice.


Learning Recommendations:

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.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Reflective Assignment: Structured literature/reflective review of a topic related to obstetric ultrasound (3000 words). Week 8 Graded No

40

Yes
Portfolio: Record of Clinical Practice
The clinical requirement for this module is 125 clinical practice hours, and the module will be incomplete if this is not achieved.
Week 3, Week 6, Week 9, Week 15 Graded No

20

Yes
Practical Skills Assessment: Direct Observation.
Clinical assessment during ultrasound practice in student's own clinical site.
Week 14 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

40

Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written comments in body of work and general feedback form

Name Role
Mr Kevin Cronin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Ann Fleming Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Therese Herlihy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Marie Stanton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer