Cardiac physiologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart disease. It is important to understand the scope of practice of a cardiac physiologist which may include setting up equipment, carrying out cardiac specific tests and assisting with related procedures, recording, and analysing results.    

To fulfill this diverse role, cardiac physiologists must have comprehensive knowledge of cardiovascular disease and common cardiac diagnostic tests. Cardiac physiologists need to be able to communicate effectively and practice safely within professional and ethical frameworks. 

Refer to lecture and tutorial materials and use researched information to respond to the below questions. Images or tables should only be included in your responses if they support discussion or will help engage reader.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted for this assessment.

Question 1: Communication (approx. 400 words)

As a health professional we must demonstrate awareness of other cultures to prevent barriers to health care developing. People’s cultural beliefs, values and worldviews can influence thinking, behaviours, and interactions with others. This is particularly true for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

‘A sonographer may adopt different communication strategies when performing an echocardiogram on a First Nation Australian’. 

Justify this statement by discussing how a sonographer might develop patient rapport and explain an echocardiogram when first meeting the patient. Your response should include discussion of body language and verbal communication adjustments. Tables or graphs to display or compare information that are useful for the submission may be included. 

Question 2: Cardiovascular disease and prevention (approx. 400 words)

The Heart Foundation builds community awareness about the benefits of living a heart-healthy lifestyle and offers education and support to those living with heart disease. 

Review the Heart Foundation website and reflect on your readings. In your own words address the below points:

• Define cardiovascular disease. 
• Other than exercise, describe three (3) easy lifestyle adjustments that can be implemented to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart attack. 
• Describe three (3) health benefits of regular physical activity and exercise. 
• Explain why the adoption of exercise and other related cardiovascular lifestyle adjustments by the broader community, has the potential to positively impact the Australian Health Care System as a whole.  

Tables or graphs to display or compare information that are useful for the submission may be included. 

Question 3: Diagnostic testing: (approx. 400 words)

As cardiac physiologists, it is important that we understand the difference between diagnostic tests and the role we play in the performance of each of these tests. 

‘A transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) is similar yet different to a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)’. 

Justify this statement by comparing the two procedures and imaging outcomes. Your response should:

• Include a brief description of each procedure.
• Briefly describe the role a cardiac physiologist (echocardiographer) is likely to play during each procedure.
• Compare infection control considerations associated with each test.
• Identify two (2) imaging advantages TOE has over TTE.

Tables or graphs to display or compare information that are useful for the submission may be included. 

WORD COUNT  

Total word count 1200 words +/- 10%.

Word count does not include headings, images, indexes, or references but does include explanations of tables and figures.   

REFERENCING  

Vancouver referencing with in-text citation. A minimum of five (5) references to be researched of which three (3) must be within the last 5 years.  

FORMAT 

• A4 format  
• Orientation portrait  
• Header with student name and email 
• Footer with page numbers   
• Font size 14
• Title page should include: (refer to exemplar on Moodle)

           - Student name  

           - Student number  

           - Unit number & name  

           - Assessment title   

           - Word count   

You will be assessed using the Written Assessment marking rubric (available on Moodle) on your ability to: 

• Address the questions with comprehensive responses.
• Keep within the word limit.
• Reference accordingly in line with the CQUniversity Vancouver guide.
• Locate and critically evaluate information. 
• Writing style, including grammar and sentence structure.
• The appropriate use of images or tables to discussion topics.
• Discuss professional requirements of an echocardiographer. 
• Presentation.

A downloadable copy of the Written Assessment task rubric can be found on the Moodle site. 

Students will be required to practice high-quality hygiene practices and demonstrate appropriate scanning and interpretation skills throughout this practical assessment. Students will use theoretical knowledge from lectures and tutorials as well as skills and information provided at the residential school to perform these assessments under the supervision of a tutor/assessor. 

Practical assessment task 1: Demonstrate hand hygiene.

• Demonstrate competency in the performance of effective hand washing (safe practice) using soap and water. 

Practical assessment task 2: Introduction to Echocardiographic scanning skills.

Part A includes the assessment of the below attributes. 

• Demonstrate introductory knowledge of cardiac ultrasound scanning, probe manipulation and scan sector orientation.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour and safe practice.
• Identify sector orientation.
• Manipulation of transducer, including the use of appropriate terminology.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour, communication with clear explanation of the test.

A time limit of 10min will be applied to practical assessment task 2. 

You must be available to act as a patient model for peer practical assessments. You may have to be a patient model on more than one occasion. You cannot request who you scan for your practical assessment. 

Part B: Self reflection rubric. 

The student is required to complete the self assessment rubric provided on Moodle on day two (2) of residential school. Failure to submit part B will result in a FAIL grade for practical task 2. 

Students will be assessed using the Practical assessment task 1 marking rubric and Practical assessment task 2 marking rubrics (part A & B). The rubrics will assess a student's ability to:

• Demonstrate professional behaviour and safe practice.
• Demonstrate introductory knowledge of cardiac ultrasound scanning.
• Identify sector orientation.
• Manipulate the transducer.
• Use appropriate terminology.

To be deemed competent and pass, all action criteria boxes must be performed correctly in Part A and Part B must be submitted prior to the completion of residential school. 

Practical tasks 1 and 2 are graded separately so that if one is passed and another is not, only the failed task must be repeated successfully to pass overall. Following provision of assessment feedback, only one opportunity for re-sit of any failed tasks will be provided. Practical assessment re-sits will be held on the same day as the original attempt (Friday 10th May 2024). All enrolled students must be available to act as a patient model for peer re-sits if requested by the unit coordinator. 

Students are required to respond to a series of questions via an online test, within the prescribed time frame. This online test will assess the student's understanding of the content presented throughout the unit delivery. Questions will be drawn from a resource bank, to allow the online test to be different for each student. All unit content presented in lectures, tutorial presentations, at the residential school and within prescribed readings is assessable. The online test may include multiple choice, short answer, calculation or image interpretation style questions. Students are encouraged to have a calculator available when sitting the test. 

To successfully complete the online test, students must: 

• Access the online test.
• Attempt the online test only once (once started, the online test cannot be paused).
• Prepare personal notes and have a calculator when attempting the online test.
• Undertake the online test as an individual. 

Perusal time and online test duration will be 70 minutes in total.

Notify relevant staff and TASAC if technical issues arise during the online test. TaSAC is available for immediate assistance during AEST business hours only. 

Please note: It is important that you commence the online test before Thursday 30th May 2024 as the online test will automatically close at 8:00 pm (AEST) on Friday the 31st May 2024. If you have not completed the test by this time, your test will be submitted incomplete. In the absence of an approved extension, students will receive a mark of zero (or fail) for this assessment, if it is not completed by the scheduled date and time.

Students are advised to refer to the 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)' document for additional university guidelines regarding assessments. 

Question responses will be assessed according to your ability to: 

• Demonstrate sound knowledge of the scope and requirements of cardiac scientists within the context of the current Australian health care system
• Use appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling
• Appropriately interpret presented sonographic images and cardiac assessment data
• Succinctly respond with accurate answers

Submission instructions: 

At the assigned time, the online test can be accessed and completed through the assessment tab at the top of the ECHO11003 Moodle site. The online test will automatically close after the allocated time has elapsed. 

Submission 

Online 

Learning Outcomes Assessed 

• Define the scope of practice and professional requirements of cardiac physiologists and echocardiographers, including legal and ethical considerations
• Discuss the provision of cardiac assessment within the context of general diagnostic services in the Australian health care system
• Apply common communication strategies used in the healthcare environment.
• Apply introductory level knowledge of ultrasound equipment, image acquisition and interpretation, body and cardiac imaging planes, using appropriate terminology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of safe practice, including infection control and ergonomic principles.

Graduate Attributes 

• Communication
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Information literacy
• Information technology competence cross cultural competence
• Ethical practice
• Social innovation