Program Overview

Point of Care Early Pregnancy Ultrasound

Overview

The Point of Care Early Pregnancy Ultrasound course delivers the knowledge base and skills required to assess gestational age, pregnancy site, pregnancy viability, and fetal number with point of care ultrasound at 5 to 10 week's gestation. Developed as a joint initiative between the Mobile Learning Unit, Melbourne Medical School, and Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, this course is written by and for clinicians who care for women in early pregnancy.

The course readily aligns with existing educational programs and qualifications, prepares students for supervised practice, and is flexible to their educational needs and availability. It can also be used for revision, for example, if a career changes or is interrupted temporarily.

Context

The early 21st century was marked by scandals in Australia, Ireland, England, and other high-income countries where women suffered misdiagnosis of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Women rightly demanded accurate diagnosis and humane care. Enquiries such as the Irish Health Executives' 2011 National Miscarriage Misdiagnosis Review called for readily accessible Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPAC), staffed by appropriately educated clinicians and specifically recommended courses in transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound.

Designed For

• Clinicians currently working in or planning to work in Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists and trainees
• Midwives
• Emergency Medicine Physicians, Trainees, and Nurses
• Sexual Health and General Practice Doctors, Trainees, and Nurses

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify normal early pregnancy development for both singleton and twin pregnancies using ultrasound
2. Create ultrasound images through knowledge of physics, machine settings, and patient aspects such as uterine axis and patient size
3. Define terminology for probe manoeuvres and anatomical planes
4. Evaluate when to utilise POCUS and when to refer for additional imaging and other expertise
5. Diagnose miscarriage and outline treatment options
6. Diagnose tubal ectopic pregnancy and outline treatment options
7. Recognise serious or common complications in the ovaries with early pregnancy
8. Implement improved practice for experienced Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPAC) practitioners and those developing an EPAC service
9. Organise supervised POCUS practice, workshops, simulation, or assessments, as a trainee or trainer/assessor

Course Leaders

• Dr Elizabeth McCarthy: Senior Lecturer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne
• Prof Susan Walker: Co-director Mercy Perinatal, Professor and Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne

Authors

• Dr Lindsay Bridgford
• Dr Lauren Tapper
• Dr Natasha Pritchard
• Dr Amber Kennedy
• Dr Simon Meagher

Entry Requirements

Course participants should be either enrolled in or graduated from a degree in midwifery, nursing, or medicine.

Fees

• Course Fee: $313.50 AUD (inc GST)
• Student/Nurse/Trainee/Allied Health Professional Discounted Fee: AUD $214.50 (incl. GST)
• Discounted group rates are available for groups of 20 or more students.

Course Details

• The course is online, self-paced, and ready when you are — start anytime.
• You will have access to all course materials for a full 12 months.