Graduate Diploma in Perioperative Medicine
OVERVIEW
In the Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Medicine you will learn multiple uses of clinical ultrasound integrated with medical knowledge of managing patients in the perioperative environment.
You will learn to critically evaluate current medical knowledge and clinical applications of ultrasound specific to perioperative medicine. In particular, patient management prior to surgery, enhanced recovery after surgery pathways, diagnosis and management of perioperative complications, patient-centred quality of recovery, and patient safety and team leadership.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is designed for medical professionals wishing to obtain further expertise in ultrasound for clinical practice. It is particularly valuable for anaesthetists, emergency physicians, other medical specialists.
COURSE AIMS
Covering multiple uses of clinical ultrasound integrated with medical knowledge and the practical skills to apply it to real-world settings, this course aims to equip you with advanced knowledge of perioperative clinical ultrasound, perioperative medicine and Enhanced Recovery after Surgery pathways and the ability to manage patients in the perioperative environment.
PATHWAYS
The Graduate Diploma in Perioperative Medicine is a flexible, stacked program that builds on the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound.
The first half of the program consists of four subjects, which make up the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound. To progress to the Graduate Diploma in Perioperative Medicine, you must successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound.
There is also an opportunity if you successfully complete the first part of the program to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound as an exit award only.
Recognition of Prior Learning for the first half of the program will also be given to participants who have previously completed the higher clinical ultrasound courses (Graduate Diploma or Master of Clinical Ultrasound, or the prior version of the Graduate Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma in Perioperative and Critical Care Echocardiography).
COURSE STRUCTURE
The Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Medicine consists of two sets of four subjects focusing on the use of clinical ultrasound in the perioperative period.
The first set of subjects to relates to Clinical Ultrasound. The second set relates to medical management, integrating the knowledge of clinical ultrasound into the perioperative setting.
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this diploma
- First 50 credit points - Choose 1 core and 3 elective to make 50 credit points.
- Second 50 credit points - Complete all four core subjects.
WORKLOAD
You should expect to commit approximately 8 - 10 hours per week to each subject. This includes formal learning activities, reading, and private study.
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of perioperative clinical ultrasound, perioperative medicine and Enhanced Recovery after Surgery pathways
- Integrate medical knowledge and clinical ultrasound into the management of patients in the perioperative environment and to effectively convey complex clinical problems to others
- Critique and apply knowledge of clinical ultrasound, perioperative medicine and Enhanced Recovery after Surgery pathways to perioperative patients
- Critique the diagnosis and management of perioperative complications and the role of clinical ultrasound
- Critique current measurement of post-operative quality of recovery and its role in perioperative care
- Interpret online case studies and record and reflect upon clinical cases of perioperative medicine application.
Note: If you have previously graduated from the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound you are only required to complete the following subjects:
- MEDI90103 Prehabilitation and Risk Assessment
- MEDI90104 Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
- MEDI90105 Perioperative Complications
- MEDI90106 Post-op Quality of Recovery Practicum.
CAREER OUTCOMES
This course is unique and innovative as it provides knowledge and skill acquisition in two rapidly developing areas - perioperative medicine and point of care ultrasound. Students will gain the knowledge and skills that will enable them to integrate perioperative medicine and clinical ultrasound into their core clinical practice, with the ultimate aim of improving patient perioperative outcomes.
To be considered for entry, you must have completed:
- A Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or equivalent.
- Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Post vocational training achievements relevant to Perioperative Medicine.
The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
Principles of Ultrasound Heart Scan 12.5pts (CORE)
This subject will outline a physics related to medical ultrasound use; an introduction to transthoracic echocardiography using the focused assessment technique HEARTscan (Haemodyanmic Echocardiography Assessment in Real Time).
Topics include:
- The role of Echocardiography in Perioperative and Critical Care Medicine
- Optimising Ultrasound Images (Knobology)
- Physics/Modes of Ultrasound/Transducers
- Anatomy of the Heart
- Anatomy of the Valves
- Comprehensive Transthoracic Echocardiography Examination
- Basic Haemodynamic State Assessment
- HEARTscan Valves
- HEARTscan Case Studies
- Comprehensive Transoesophageal Echocardiography Examination Artefacts
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery 12.5pts (CORE)
In this subject, students will critically evaluate the role of clinical ultrasound in its application to the preoperative patient. They will interpret cardiovascular and other investigations used to risk stratify patients prior to surgery, and assess how these impact on perioperative planning. They will evaluate how best to optimise the patient condition prior to surgery, including appraisal of preoperative management of cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, renal and hepatic, neurological and psychiatric conditions and the role of clinical ultrasound in these settings.
Perioperative Complications 12.5pts (CORE)
In the subject, students will critically evaluate the aetiology, diagnosis and management of the most common and important perioperative complications, as well as management of analgesia, fluids and nutrition. This subject will also critically evaluate the pivotal and integral role that focused clinical ultrasound has on clinical diagnosis and decision-making in the perioperative period.
Post-op Quality of Recovery Practicum 12.5pts (CORE)
In this subject, students will learn about patient centred care and measurement of patient reported outcomes. Students will critically evaluate quality of recovery that extends well beyond the hospital discharge, the concept of real-time recovery feedback and the use of clinical ultrasound in the extended perioperative period. Team-based care and leadership issues, as well as consent, power of attorney and advanced care directives will be assessed. Cumulative assessment of the entire course’s content will be evaluated by completion of a practicum consisting of electronic logbook of 50 clinical cases in the perioperative environment.
Doppler Echocardiography 12.5 pts (ELECTIVE)
This subject will introduce Doppler echocardiography to complement basic transthoracic echocardiography imaging.
Topics include:
- Principles of Blood flow
- Principles of Doppler, and Optimising Image
- Basic Doppler Measurement Technique
- Colour Flow Doppler
- Doppler Assessment of Systolic Function
- Using Doppler to Help Grade Valve Lesions
- HEARTscan Studies with Doppler Measurements
Ventricular Function 12.5 pts (ELECTIVE)
This subject will expand the knowledge of transthoracic echocardiography by learning pathophysiology and assessment of ventricular function, including in diastolic function.
Topics include:
- The Cardiac Cycle
- Left Ventricular Systolic Function Pathophysiology
- Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function
- Right Ventricular Systolic Function
- Right Ventricular Function Evaluation
- Atrial Function and Pressure Estimation
- Diastolic Function Pathophysiology
- Assessment of Diastolic Function
- Management of Diastolic Function
- HEARTscan Studies
Ultrasound Guided Procedures 12.5 pts (ELECTIVE)
This subject will outline the technique of using ultrasound to guide percutaneous procedures. Procedures will include vessel access, nerve blocks, and trauma related procedures. There will be an elective of either "Nerve Blocks" or "Critical Care Procedures".
Topics include:
- Ultrasound Guided Vascular Access
- Nerve Blocks-Upper Limb
- Nerve Locks-Lower Limb
- Nerve Blocks-Peripheral Nerves
- Nerve Blocks-Abdominal and Thoracic
- Focused Abdominal Scan in Trauma
- Additional Ultrasound in Trauma
- Assessment of Flow and Stenosis in Vessels
- Critical Care Procedures
Abdominal and Peri-Arrest Ultrasound 12.5 pts (ELECTIVE)
In the subject, the student will learn about ultrasound assessment of the abdomen and learn to integrate abdominal, lung and cardiac ultrasound in the peri-arrest scenario.
Obstetrics Gynaecology and Practicum 12.5 pts (ELECTIVE)
In the subject, the student will learn about basic ultrasound assessment of pregnant women, and for gynecological emergencies, as well as completing a logbook of 20 clinical cases.
Vessels Nerves Lungs and Musculoskeletal 12.5 pts (ELECTIVE)
In the subject, the student will learn about ultrasound assessment of lung and musculoskeletal ultrasound and learn how to perform ultrasound guided vascular access and nerve blocks
