Our Focus
The Ultrasound Education Group focuses on the development of learning in Clinical Ultrasound by utilising online courses as well as hands-on workshops and simulator training programs.
Our website contains news articles, our research outcomes, study options for our award programs, workshops and simulator courses in Focused Ultrasound Simulator Education (FUSE) and Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FCU), resources for current students and our course impacts.
Latest News
Our Movers and Shakers
PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS
Frequently Asked Questions: Building Ultrasound Career Guide
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1. How to learn ultrasonography in Australia? Where to get started in incorporating clinical ultrasound into practice?
In simplest terms, clinical ultrasound can be used as an extension of clinical evaluation by all medical practitioners. Think of it as “ultrasound assisted clinical evaluation”, and so basic ultrasound of the heart, lungs, deep veins, abdomen, musculoskeletal system and even during pregnancy simply improves the diagnostic fidelity of routine clinical evaluation. In this most complex form, ultrasound forms a part of specialties such as cardiology or radiology.
Many universities are now teaching basic clinical ultrasound as part of the undergraduate medical curriculum. In a few years’ time this is likely to be routine across most universities. This is where you get started in incorporating clinical ultrasound into your practice. However, it is just the start and like most medical skills, needs further training to improve knowledge and skill. To this end, there are number of options available including purely online learning, or blended learning program such as workshops or simulator-based programs. Within clinical learning, mentors will help guide and check skills and interpretation.
The Ultrasound Education Group in the Melbourne Medical School, at the University of Melbourne already has many options available from simple online courses to graduate award programs such as certificate, diploma, or master courses; as well as a suite of workshop and simulated base courses.
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2. What are other specialties in ultrasound?
In the future, all doctors should be able to perform basic clinical ultrasound. The range and type of ultrasound scans will depend on the scope of practice of the medical practitioner. Within each specialty craft group, there will also emerge a group of practitioners who become advanced clinical ultrasound usages.
For example, in the critical care specialties (anaesthesia, intensive care and emergency medicine) all doctors should be able to perform basic clinical ultrasound, but some will become experts including applications such as transoesophgeal echocardiography. The two core specialties where ultrasound is seen as a subspecialty is cardiology and radiology. Practitioners become very expert in their field of ultrasound use, and typically will supervise ultrasound laboratories which are staffed by ultrasound sonographers.
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3. What is the future of diagnostic sonography?
The uptake of clinical ultrasound by non-cardiology/radiology practitioners is a highly disruptive process that is excellent for patient care. The ability to more accurately diagnose medical conditions during their first presentation will enormously improve patient care and probably reduce cost due to misdiagnosis.
However, when abnormalities are detected with basic ultrasound, there will frequently be a need to confirm and quantify the diagnosis and severity with more advanced ultrasound imaging. It is likely that specialists in diagnostic sonography will see fewer “normal studies” but more studies with pathology. Furthermore, over time more basic uses will extend their knowledge and skill to diagnostic level. Within departments or groups of practitioners from multiple specialties including general practice specialists, there will be “in-house” ability to confirm findings from basic ultrasound.
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4. What is the difficulties and challenges while studying ultrasound?
Studying ultrasound has two key components-knowledge and practical skills. When a practitioner starts to learn ultrasound, the knowledge, hands on learning, and practice of roughly equal proportions. However, as the transition from basic to advanced practitioner the greatest proportion of learning is knowledge.
When starting, it is important to have a systematic approach to learning and starting with basic before tackling advanced topics. It is important to have good instruction on how to perform the ultrasound in a systematic manner and then applying it in practice.
One of the difficulties is when students have a burst of learning and then don’t practice. We highly recommend that the student tries to perform a number of echocardiography studies early on to boost their confidence. We know that after about 30 scans, their confidence improved enormously and the rate of continued learning begins to slow.
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5. What is the difficulties and challenges while studying ultrasound online?
Online learning is very good for delivering knowledge and for practicing interpretation. Part of that learning is how to perform the scan. However, sooner rather than later, the student does need to learn and practice the actual acquisition of ultrasound images-and that cannot be done online.
It is best to think of the online learning as a part of a blended learning program whereby the knowledge and interpretive practice is delivered online and the hands-on learning and practice must be done with the patient.
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6. Is ultrasound scan safe, what should I pay attention to when performing a scan?
The ultrasound scan is considered completely safe. This includes ultrasound scans during pregnancy. Some types of ultrasound scans are considered “invasive procedures” where body cavities are entered, and then there is risk of damage to the body organ or discomfort to the patient.
For example, Transoesophageal echocardiography or vaginal ultrasound are examples. When performing a scan, it is important to consider how to position and expose the patient maintaining their privacy at all times.
Physical pressure of the probe on the skin can be uncomfortable, particularly if there is bruising or fractures around the site that you’re putting the ultrasound probe onto. Sometimes, one has to not scan a certain part for the patient comfort sake.
Recognition for Prior Learning
Advanced standing or recognition of prior learning is acknowledgement of prior study granted based on prior study or work experience. Contact us if you believe you are eligible for advanced standing. You will be asked to provide further information and detail about the studies you have completed to help with this assessment.
RESEARCH OVERVIEW
UEG comprises of academics, including Prof Alistair Royse (Cardiothoracic surgeon, Deputy Director of Surgery), Prof Colin Royse (Anaesthetist) and Dr David Canty (Anaesthetist, Senior Lecturer), who supervise higher research degree students, undergraduate medical students performing research projects, and post-graduated clinicians pursuing active research and education projects.
Research themes include a wide range of ultrasound including transoesophageal echocardiography for cardiac surgery, clinical point of care diagnostic ultrasound of heart, lungs, abdomen, vascular, invasive procedures, and new techniques. Other active areas of research include cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic anaesthesia, postoperative quality of recovery in all types of surgery, and medical education.
Graduate Courses in Clinical Ultrasound
These three award courses are offered to medical professionals who wish to obtain further expertise in medical ultrasound for clinical practice. All graduate courses are delivered online and require no contact hours. Course materials can be downloaded to iPad, Android or Windows tablets or can be accessed online using a web browser.
Simulator Courses
Focused Ultrasound Simulator Education (FUSE) and Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FCU)
Clinical training and education are vital elements for any hospital’s growth. Our Focused Ultrasound Simulator Education (FUSE) and Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FCU) workshops have been developed to combine the advantages of eLearning and Simulator Self-training.
- FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography
- FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography Advanced
- FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography
- FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography Advanced
- FCU Peri-Arrest
- FCU Institutional
- FUSELung and Gastric Ultrasound
- FUSEVascular Access
- Lung Ultrasound for Nurses and Physiotherapists
- WorkshopUltrasound Simulation Education Brisbane
Hands on Workshops
iHeartScan (Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time)
The iHeartScan (Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time) workshops are designed to teach Point-of-Care (POC) Transthoracic Ultrasound by practicing on live models.
Continuing Professional Development
Short Courses
Continuing Professional development for medical practitioners includes a range of activities to meet individual learning that is relevant to their scope of practice, in order to maintain, develop, update and enhance knowledge, skills and performance to ensure that they deliver appropriate and safe care
Micro Courses
These micro courses aim to provide topic focused educational courses in specific learning areas. These short courses are cost and time effective with the average learning time of 1 month for a single course or 3 months for a package course.
- Micro CourseTOE Introduction and Case Interpretation – Series 1
- Micro CourseTOE Case Interpretation – Series 2
- Micro CourseTOE Case Interpretation – Series 3
- Micro CourseTOE Case Interpretation – Series 4
- Micro CourseTTE Introduction & Case Interpretation Series 1
- Micro CourseTTE Case Interpretation – Series 2
- Micro CourseTTE Case Interpretation – Series 3
- Micro CourseTTE Case Interpretation – Series 4
- Micro CourseTTE Case Interpretation – Series 5
- Micro CourseTTE Case Interpretation – Series 6
- Micro CourseUltrasound Guided Vascular Access
- Micro CourseUltrasound Guided Regional Anaesthesia
- Micro CourseCardiac Ultrasound Doppler
- Micro CourseAssessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Function
- Micro CourseAssessment of Right Ventricular Systolic Function
- Micro CourseAssessment of Diastolic Function
- Micro CourseLung Ultrasound
- Micro CourseUltrasound Physics and Anatomy of the Heart
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care and Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Ultrasound Abdominal will provide students with comprehensive veterinary ultrasound diagnosis.
Download our 2019 brochure here
All workshops are undertaken at the University of Melbourne in Parkville, unless stated otherwise
- Wednesday 13 Nov 2019
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FUSE Guided Vascular Access
9:00am - 12:00pm
- SATURDAY - SUNDAY 23-24 Nov 2019
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Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time (iHeartScan™)
Day 1: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am - 2:30pm
- Thursday30 Jan 2020
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Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Venous Access
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday 13 Feb 2020
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FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday14 Feb 2020
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FUSE Lung & Gastric Ultrasound
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday20 Feb 2020
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Lung Ultrasound for Nurses and Physiotherapists
8:30am - 12:00pm
- Thursday27 Feb 2020
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FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE)
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday12 Mar 2020
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FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) Advanced
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday13 Mar 2020
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Coming soon - Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Ultrasound
9:00am - 12:00pm
- SATURDAY - SUNDAY 21-22 Mar 2020
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Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time (iHeartScan™)
Day 1: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am - 2:30pm
- Thursday26 Mar 2020
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Coming soon - 3D Echocardiography
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday27 Mar 2020
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FUSE Lung & Gastric Ultrasound
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Tuesday21 Apr 2020
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FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday15 May 2020
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FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE) Advanced
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday21 May 2020
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Lung Ultrasound for Nurses and Physiotherapists
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday22 May 2020
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FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) Advanced
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday4 Jun 2020
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Coming soon - 3D Echocardiography
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday5 Jun 2020
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FUSE Lung & Gastric Ultrasound
9:00am - 12:00pm
- SATURDAY - SUNDAY13-14 Jun 2020
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Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time (iHeartScan™)
Day 1: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am - 2:30pm
- Tuesday16 Jun 2020
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FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE)
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday18 Jun 2020
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FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE) Advanced
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday3 Jul 2020
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FCU Peri-Arrest
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday16 Jul 2020
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FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
9:00am - 12:00pm
- SATURDAY - SUNDAY 1-2 Aug 2020
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Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time Advanced (iHeartScan™ Advanced)
Day 1: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am - 2:30pm
- Thursday13 Aug 2020
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FCU Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) Advanced
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday27 Aug 2020
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FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE)
9:00am - 12:00pm
- SATURDAY - SUNDAY 12-13 Sep 2020
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Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time (iHeartScan™)
Day 1: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am - 2:30pm
- Thursday24 Sep 2020
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FCU Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE) Advanced
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Friday2 Oct 2020
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FCU Peri-Arrest
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Tuesday13 Oct 2020
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FCU Peri-Arrest
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday22 Oct 2020
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FUSE Guided Vascular Access
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday5 Nov 2020
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FUSE Guided Vascular Access
9:00am - 12:00pm
- SATURDAY - SUNDAY 14-15 Nov 2020
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Haemodynamic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time (iHeartScan™)
Day 1: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am - 2:30pm
- Thursday19 Nov 2020
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Coming soon - Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Ultrasound
9:00am - 12:00pm
- Thursday3 Dec 2020
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Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Venous Access
9:00am - 12:00pm
FAQ
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Booking the Simulator at Center for Medical Research
DETAILS
We have a variety of simulators available for
Simulator bookings are only available to UOM students and staff members of Royal Melbourne Hospital.STEP 1
Please click the link to access the Simulator Booking System.STEP 2
Log in using your email address.STEP 3
An instruction is given on how to select a suitable simulator for your use in the booking system.
Please read it before you make the appointment.
Select the Suitable Simulator on the top right-hand corner.STEP 4
You can click on the Calendar on a preferred day (on the right-hand side) and time (below the calendar).
All booking session is to be booked in1 hour blocks. Multi-bookings are available.
Enter your full name and click 'Create Reservation'.Or, you can click Available tab, it will show you a list of time and available simulators within 24 hours.
You can modify this search at the bottom of the page.Please contact us on +61 3 9035 4739 or email mobile-learning@unimelb.edu.au if you require assistance with your booking.
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Login issues check up
How do I get my login details?
Our 'Getting Started' email is sent to you immediately after you successfully enrol in a course. This will contain your login details along with other information you need to get started.
Do a search of your inbox for 'Getting Started' to quickly locate this email.
Please check your junk mail if you do not see the 'Getting Started' email in your inbox.Contact our support team if you cannot find this email.
I’m seeing "The username or password you entered is incorrect.". What can I do?
Find your login details in the "Getting Started" email.
Carefully copy and paste your login details across to the login screen, ensuring that caps lock is off (passwords are case-sensitive), and you are not inadvertently adding a blank space before or after your password.If you have enrolled in a free course, then you will have access to the free course for 6 weeks. After your access has lapsed, you will receive the 'incorrect username or password' error. You will need to enrol in a paid course or contact support to extend your access to the free course if this is the case.
If you have forgotten your password, use the 'Forgot your password' option on the login screen to reset your password.
I'm seeing "There was a problem while contacting the server. Please try again later". What can I do?
Often this is caused by an incorrect username or password. Please double-check that your username and password are correct.
Sometimes our servers can go down for short periods for maintenance. Let us know at support if you continually receive this message.If you have downloaded the materials to your portable device for offline access, then you may receive this message after a continuous period of more than 2 weeks being offline. Our system requires that you periodically re-verify your identity at least every 2 weeks to continue receiving offline access to materials. Connecting to the internet and then logging into the app whilst online will re-verify your identity and solve this issue.
The app is crashing or the app/web browser is constantly asking me to login.
This can happen for a number of reasons:
- Your username and/or password are incorrect. Please double-check to ensure that you have entered them correctly.
- You have exceeded the maximum number of device logins. We have a limit of 5 devices logins before your access is automatically limited, causing the app to exit each time you attempt to login. Sometimes you can reach this limit unexpectedly, as 'new devices' can be accidentally recorded by the system if you clear your cookies or use a different browser. If you suspect that this is happening then please contact us and we will reset your device count.
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Cancellation & Transfer Policy
Participants are required to inform our office in writing if they need to cancel their place on a FUSE/FCU course or iHeartScan workshop. Requests to cancel a course or workshop or to transfer to another course or workshop must be sent by email to mobile-learning@unimelb.edu.au
The cancellation and transfer policies are as follows:
Refund
- Up to 6 weeks prior to the course/workshop: a full refund will be provided within 10 working days after you have notified (and received acknowledgement) from the office.
- 2 – 6 weeks prior to the course/workshop: For a FUSE or FCU simulator course, 40% ($100) cancellation fee will be charged. For an iHeartScan course, a 40% ($560) cancellation fee of the workshop fee will be charged and the difference will be refunded within 10 working days after you have notified (and received acknowledgement) from the office.
- 2 weeks prior to the workshop: a 100% cancellation fee will apply and no refund will be given.
Transfer
- 12 months to 6 weeks prior: Transfer is free of charge.
- 2 to 6 weeks prior: For a FUSE or FCU simulator course, an administration fee of $50 will be charged. For iHeartScan an administration fee of $195 will be charged.
- 2 weeks prior: No transfer will be given.
Course/Workshop Cancellation
- In the event that the course/workshop you are registered in is cancelled or re-scheduled, registrants will have the option of receiving a full refund or transferring to an alternate workshop within 12 months of the original workshop registration date.
CME and CPD accreditation guide
| iHeartScan | iHeartScan Adv | Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound | Graduate Diploma in Clinical Ultrasound | Master in Clinical Ultrasound | All Focused Ultrasound Simulator Education Simulator Courses | How to claim | Contact | |
| ACEM | Workshops & Training, Procedural & Skills based - approx 10.75 hours | Workshops & Training, Procedural & Skills based - approx 11.15 hours | Yes - Contact ACEM for more information | Yes - Contact ACEM for more information | Yes - Contact ACEM for more information |
Workshops & Training, Procedural & Skills based 3 hours |
Complete the participant feedback form and submit it to us at echo-info@unimel.edu.au immediately upon completion of your course. We will then notify ACEM of your attendance at our course. | cpd@acem.org.au |
| ANZCA |
Knowledge & Skills, 2 Credits per hour (up to maximum of 50 points per course) |
Knowledge & Skills, 2 Credits per hour (up to maximum of 50 points per course) |
Knowledge & Skills, 2 Credits per hour (up to maximum of 50 points per course) |
Knowledge & Skills, 2 Credits per hour (up to maximum of 50 points per course) |
Knowledge & Skills, 2 Credits per hour (up to maximum of 50 points per course) |
Knowledge & Skills, 2 Credits per hour (up to maximum of 50 points per course) |
Upload the evidence of your participation in the ANZCA CPD portfolio system using your college ID number and password. | cpd@anzca.edu.au |
| ASUM | 6.5myASUM CPD points for attending the duration of the course | 6.5myASUM CPD points for attending the duration of the course | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Sign into MyASUM and log the details of your activity. More information here. | asum@asum.com.au |
| CICM | Lectures: Category 2A, 1 point per hour Scenarios/small group procedures: Category 2B, 2 points per hour | Lectures: Category 2A, 1 point per hour Scenarios/small group procedures: Category 2B, 2 points per hour | Category 1B, 2 points per hour | Category 1B, 2 points per hour | Category 2B, 2 points per hour. | Pre-course learning: Category 1A, 1 point per hour or Category 2B, 2 points per hour. | Sign into the CICM members' portal and log the details of your activity. More information here. | stephanieh@cicm.org.au |
| RACS | 1 Point per hour in Maintenance of Knowledge and Skills | 1 Point per hour in Maintenance of Knowledge and Skills | Not available | Not available | Not available | 1 Point per hour in Maintenance of Knowledge and Skills |
Notify us at mobile-learning@unimelb.edu.au of your RACS membership number and the workshop that you attended immediately after completing your workshop. We will then notify RACS of your attendance. | college.sec@surgeons.org |
History
The Ultrasound Education Group (UEG) was founded in 2004 at the University of Melbourne's Department of Surgery by Professors Alistair and Colin Royse. With advancement in recent technology, Portable Ultrasound Machine will be ubiquitous and affordable for professionals across different areas of healthcare industry in the near future.
Our mission is to equip holistic knowledge for medical practitioners to perform Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis. By combining eLearning with hands-on simulator workshops and and live-model practices, delivered by world-renowned experts in the field, we open the Pathway to Ultrasound Future for all healthcare professionals around the world.
The first course created was the Postgraduate Diploma of Perioperative and Critical Care Echocardiography. Over time this has expanded to the current portfolio which includes Graduate Certificate, Diploma and Master of Clinical Ultrasound. The iHeartScan and iHeartScan Advanced workshops were also developed, and more recently the Focused Ultrasound Simulator Education TTE, TOE, Peri-Arrest, Vascular and Lung and Gastric courses which integrate eLearning with simulators to reinforce practical components.
Our Mobile Learning Platform can be accessed, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any device!
Impact
In Australia, there are roughly 6500 anaesthetists and intensive care physicians. Over 2500 students have graduated from our award courses, and over 3000 have completed one of our workshops or getting started packages. To put this in perspective, we believe we have trained approximately 40% of the entire pool of anaesthetists and intensive care physicians in Australia.
Testimonial
The course has been so useful in fact the other day I was reading a tutorial then when at work the same scenario occurred and I was able to directly save a life because of that knowledge. Very grateful, thank you.
Anaesthetist
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From a MBBS, MRCP (UK), FANZCA, Anaesthetics
With regards to the iHEART scan; 'An accessible, informative and hugely relevant workshop. Highly recommended
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From an Anaesthetics Registrar
I have found the Diploma course to be excellent preparation for a career in this field and well recognised by all my peers. The content and presentation of the course material is excellent and provides an in-depth knowledge of echocardiography and its clinical application. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is interested in echocardiography from a critical care background.
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From a Cardiologist
The courses are very well organized, professional and applicable in clinical ultrasound and echocardiography. Staff from Ultrasound Education Group of The University of Melbourne are very helpful
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From an Anaesthesia Fellow
The course did a fabulous job of equipping me with the knowledge base I need in order to be competent and effective in echocardiography. I heartily recommend this for anyone who needs flexibility of correspondence combined with the authority of a qualification from a respected institution
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Accreditation Bodies
Contact Us
Office Direction
A: Level 6, Centre for Medical Research (entrance 5), Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3050
P: (03) 9035 8118 | E: mobile-learning@unimelb.edu.au
Headquarter