The programme will provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience, and will cover all the main aspects of pelvic, fertility and early pregnancy ultrasound. The course aims to equip practitioners working with infertile patients with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and know when to refer patients for a more detailed assessment.
Topics covered include image optimization, anatomy, physiology and pathology, fertility management focusing on the role of ultrasound in the investigation of fertility problems, and monitoring of women undergoing treatment, protocols and guidelines, communication, ethical and social implications. Ultrasound assessment of both normal and abnormal early pregnancy is also included.
Modules
Theory of Fertility Ultrasound
This module offers students the opportunity to develop their academic knowledge of infertility and it's application to clinical practice. The module aims to equip practitioners working with infertile patients with a level of knowledge that will enable them to understand the indications for, and importance of, ultrasound examinations. It is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience. Students registered for this module are offered the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the following topics: the normal menstrual cycle; anatomy, physiology and pathology as it relates to the infertile patient; fertility investigations and treatments relative to the management of the infertile patient; the role that ultrasound plays in the investigations of infertility and monitoring of women undergoing treatment.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
demonstrate an understanding of the underlying physiology as it relates to infertility;
demonstrate an understanding of the investigations and treatments associated with the management of infertility;
evaluate the contribution of ultrasound to the overall management of the patient;
demonstrate IT skills;
communicate written information in an effective manner;
demonstrate an ability to learn independently.
Clinical Practice of Fertility Ultrasound
This module offers students the opportunity to develop high level clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and the management of the infertile patient. It aims to equip practitioners working with infertile patients with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and know when to refer patients for more detailed assessment. It is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.
Students registered for this module are offered the opportunity to study the following aspects of fertility ultrasound: the fundamental principles of ultrasound examinations in the management of fertility: ultrasound assessment of the normal female pelvis and recognition of possible uterine and ovarian pathology; ultrasound assessment and diagnosis during follicle tracking; ultrasound assessment and role in the management of assisted conception; ultrasound diagnosis of normal early pregnancy; ultrasound diagnosis of early embryonic demise; and ultrasound diagnosis of a suspected ectopic pregnancy. Topics covered will stimulate students to investigate issues from a wide variety of perspectives including: communication; clinical history and clinical investigations; protocols and guidelines; ethical and social implications
On completion of this module students should be able to:
demonstrate high level clinical skills in the performance of fertility ultrasound examinations;
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;
self evaluate their performance in the clinical environment;
discuss social and ethical implications of fertility ultrasound;
communicate written information in an effective manner;
demonstrate IT skills;
demonstrate an ability to learn independently.
Technology of Fertility Ultrasound
This technology of ultrasound module covers all the main technological aspects of pelvic, fertility and early pregnancy ultrasound. The module aims to equip practitioners working with infertile patients with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations and perform scans safely and competently, in a manner that will ensure optimal image acquisition.
It is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience. Students registered for this module are offered the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the following topics: Ultrasound equipment controls; Emission and reception; Reflection and refraction, Attenuation; Artefacts in ultrasound imaging; Recording of ultrasound images and the Safety of ultrasound.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
justify parameters selected for relevant ultrasound examinations;
evaluate technical settings;
optimise image quality in ultrasound;
analyse ultrasound safety issues in the clinical context;
communicate written information in an effective manner;
demonstrate IT skills;
demonstrate an ability to learn independently;
Comment
This programme is targeted towards:
- Nurses and Midwives working in the area of fertility management and treatment
- Radiographers working in the area of fertility management and treatment
- Doctors specialising in the area of fertility management and treatment
All applicants must be actively scanning in order to be considered for this programme.
How/Where Do I Learn?
The provision of the majority of the lectures through an e-learning structure will allow students to complete training at home, at convenient times.
There is a major emphasis on students achieving a high level of expertise in clinical practice and participants will gain their clinical experience in their own department, which will allow them to negotiate the most suitable arrangements within each individual workplace.
To ensure this is achieved students must arrange a clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 300 hours practicing ultrasound in a fertility clinic while undertaking this programme.