Ultrasound in Emergency and Critical Care

For clinicians in A&E, acute medicine and intensivists wishing to incorporate focused ultrasound into their work. 3 lecture blocks are supported by work-based ultrasound practice. Students will gain knowledge in diagnostic focused ultrasound enabling integration of underlying theory with image acquisition and interpretation skills. Students may undertake additional modules to progress to the Medical Ultrasound PG Dip/MSc.

KEY BENEFITS

• Student places are limited to allow maximum learner-tutor contact and feedback.
• The course is delivered by renowned expert speakers at the St Thomas’ Campus in central London and is supported by e-learning. Clinical assessment is part of the assessment schedule.
• Ultrasound machines are available to the course and small group hands-on teaching sessions are scheduled within the programme. Models are used to enable full participation by students.
• The course is designed to satisfy the requirements of the 2005 Royal College of Radiologists Ultrasound Medical Training for Medical and Surgical specialties.
• The course has been accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education since 2005 and was reaccredited in 2009.
• Co-Directors of this course are all ED Consultants who are former students on the programme and teach ultrasound nationally and internationally.

PURPOSEFor ED, Acute Medicine and Intensive Care clinicians wishing to practice focused ultrasound as part of their professional development. The programme aims to provide a knowledge base in diagnostic focused ultrasound, to enable integration of underlying theoretical concepts with ultrasound image acquisition and interpretation skills.

DESCRIPTIONThe King’s Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Ultrasound in Emergency and Critical Care is aimed at staff members who wish to use ultrasound imaging in their role to assist in their assessment of the patient. It is expected that students will already have undertaken a basic ultrasound programme, have an ultrasound machine available, and have support from a suitable clinical department to complete the training. It is suggested that approximately nine hours per week of supervised ultrasound practice should be arranged for the duration of the course. Previous students have included emergency medicine consultants and registrars, GPs and acute physicians.

This programme will take students to level two ability in areas relevant to their chosen field of expertise. A solid base of physical principles and instrumentation underpins the clinical applications with the issues of safety and image formation creating a programme core. Students will become competent focused ultrasound practitioners; increased diagnostic confidence will aid faster decision-making and patient throughput.

Successful completion of both clinical and academic assessments results in a PG Cert in Ultrasound in Emergency and Critical Care. Students may then proceed to an MSc by undertaking modules from within the MSc in Medical Ultrasound programme.

EXTRA PROGRAMME INFORMATIONStudents must normally have full GMC registration. All applicants must have a suitable hands-on clinical placement of approximately nine hours per week for the duration of the programme.