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University College Dublin

Obstetric Ultrasound

Course Features
Develops the knowledge and skills necessary to practice obstetric ultrasound to an introductory level.

Flexible modular structure to suit participants who access clinical facilities on a part-time basis.

Includes major emphasis on clinical experience. Stepwise progression enables participants to complete each module individually.

Early Pregnancy Ultrasound module available as a single occasional module.

Ultrasound is now an integral component of antenatal care, a dominant technology in the daily practice of obstetrics, and is also essential in the management of high-risk pregnancies. This certificate course is particularly aimed at doctors specialising in the field of obstetrics, midwives who provide antenatal care and doctors working in general practice who provide antenatal care and is designed to confer competence, to an introductory level, to practice obstetric ultrasound.

There is also the provision to take Module 1 (Early Pregnancy Ultrasound) as a single occasional module, which may suit those who only have access to / a clinical requirement for scanning in the first trimester. Students who take this option can apply to progress to the full graduate certificate level at a later stage by taking the relevant extra modules.

The programme will cover the fundamental aspects of first, second and third trimester obstetric ultrasound, and more detailed obstetric ultrasound or gynaecology/fertility ultrasound scanning, through the provision of both theoretical and practical training. There is a significant emphasis on clinical experience, and the majority of lectures are delivered through an e-learning structure.

This programme is targeted towards:
Doctors specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology
Midwives providing antenatal care
Radiographers who perform obstetric ultrasound
General practitioners who provide antenatal care and perform ultrasound scans in the community

This course equips participants with the necessary skills to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and when to refer patients for a more detailed assessment.

There is a major emphasis on achieving a high level of clinical expertise and participants will gain their clinical experience in their chosen hospital, under the guidance of a clinical supervisor. Students will be assessed on their clinical competence at the end of each module by their clinical supervisor. Case-based discussions, completed with the clinical supervisor throughout each module will assess understanding of the relevant theory.

All students take the early pregnancy module and the module covering level one scanning in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Students can choose from either a more detailed obstetric ultrasound or gynaecology/fertility ultrasound module. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into the clinical modules.

Entry requirements

Entry criteria
Doctors must be registered with the Irish Medical Council or equivalent. Midwives must be registered with An Bord Altranais or equivalent. Radiographers must have approval to practice Radiography in Ireland or Northern Ireland, or possess approval from an equivalent international body.
Participants must provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 250 hours practicing clinical obstetric ultrasound.

Prior learning
It is recommended that participants spend as much time as possible performing clinical ultrasound examinations while undertaking ultrasound modules and their potential to develop high level clinical and academic skills in ultrasound will be maximised by exceeding the minimum clinical hours stated for each module.
Applicants should be computer literate and have continuous internet access for the duration of this programme.

Declaration forms

All applicants are required to download and complete the declaration forms. These forms must be signed by your clinical supervisor.

Duration

18 Months
Schedule: Part-Time

Further enquiries

Programme Administrator:
Diagnostic Imaging Programme Office
Health Sciences Centre
T: 017166545
graduate.imaging@ucd.ie

Subjects taught

Modules
Early Pregnancy Ultrasound
This module offers clinicians and midwives the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the management of early pregnancy. It aims to equip participants 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. This module is an introduction to fetal anatomy scanning. Further training/supervision would be required in order to be proficient in performing an independent fetal anatomic survey.

Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. It is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

Fetal Biometry, Liquor and Placenta
This module offers clinicians the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the assessment of fetal biometry, amniotic fluid, placental and cervical assessment. It aims to equip participants 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 a more detailed assessment. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. This module is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

Fetal Wellbeing Ultrasound
This module offers clinicians the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the assessment of fetal wellbeing, including anatomy, growth pattern and Doppler studies. It aims to equip participants 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 a more detailed assessment. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. This module is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

Gynaecological/Fertility Ultrasound
This module offers clinicians the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the assessment of the normal pelvis, pre and postmenopausal, assessment of the endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding, assessment of IntraUterine Contraceptive Devices, and ultrasound assessment during follicle tracking and assisted conception. It aims to equip participants 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 a more detailed assessment.

This module is an introduction to gunaecological scanning. Further training/supervision would be required in order to be proficient in performing an independent pelvic survey.

Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. This module is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.