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.
Course Overview
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.
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
Course Description
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.
The provision of the majority of the lectures is through an e-learning structure which allows students to access the course material at the most convenient and flexible time for them. There will also be 1 study day in January and July (compulsory attendance) at UCD. Dates for these will be given on acceptance of application
To ensure this is achieved participants must undertake a clinical placement, under the guidance of a named clinical supervisor, and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 250 hours practicing clinical obstetric ultrasound while undertaking this programme.