Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Sectional Anatomy is the study of human anatomy in two-dimensions along multiple planes. Learners will use anatomical cross-sectional slices to investigate spatial relationships between anatomical structures in the body. Focus will be placed on identifying normal anatomy and spatial relationships of organs and structures specific to ultrasound studies.

Anatomy and Physiology provides learners with an overview of the anatomy and basic physiology of the human body. Areas that will be covered include the organization of the body; covering, support, and movement of the body; regulation and integration of body functions; maintenance of the body; and continuity of the human race. Diseases and aging processes will also be briefly discussed.

This course provides an introduction to ultrasound principles, instrumentation, and imaging techniques utilized in a diagnostic medical sonography lab. The learner will develop the basic skills of scanning that are necessary for the DMS lab courses and practical rotations.

Professional Practice I focuses on developing professional behaviour in a diagnostic imaging context. Lectures, classroom interactions and laboratory experiences are combined to demonstrate the skills required to ensure appropriate workplace relations, patient care, and to prepare learners for practicum.

Equivalents:

• HREL 201

Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography 1 will review the anatomical components and related physiology of the female reproductive system, the pregnant uterus, and the embryo/fetus as they pertain to medical sonography. The principles and techniques of gynecological and obstetrical sonography will be introduced and accompanied by ultrasound scanning of the female pelvis in a lab setting. The recognition of normal gynecological and obstetrical sonograms will be covered in a classroom setting and reinforced in a lab setting.

Pre-requisites:

• ANPH 205
• DMST 202
• DMST 217
• PHYS 216

Adult Echocardiography I reviews cardiac anatomy, cardiac physiology and hemodynamics. Combined with established theory, hands-on lab applications will be used to demonstrate correct scanning techniques and introduce proper interpretation and assessment of echocardiographic images.

Pre-requisites:

• ANPH 205
• DMST 202
• DMST 217
• PHYS 216

Abdomen and Superficial Structures 1 provides a comprehensive assessment of structures in the abdominopelvic cavity focusing on normal anatomy, physiological processes, common sonographic presentations and an introduction to the fundamentals of pathological processes. The recognition of normal sonographic findings will be reinforced in a lab setting.

Pre-requisites:

• ANPH 205
• DMST 202
• DMST 217
• PHYS 216

Equivalents:

• DMST 224

Vascular Sonography 1 will provide a review of the anatomy and physiology of the vascular system and related hemodynamics as they pertain to vascular sonography. Pathologies of the venous vascular system as well as the principles and techniques of vascular sonography are introduced and accompanied by ultrasound scanning sessions in a lab setting. The recognition of normal sonographic findings in vascular sonography will be emphasized and reinforced in a lab setting.

Pre-requisites:

• ANPH 205
• DMST 202
• DMST 217
• PHYS 216

This course focuses on preparing learners for entry into clinical practicum. Lectures, on-line discussion, and classroom interactions are combined to convey the expectations and requirements for learners in their clinical practical.

Pre-requisites:

• MRAD 374

This course continues to focus on cardiac Doppler principles, cardiac Doppler imaging, and covers common pathologies such as valvular disease and heart failure seen in adult echocardiography. Pathologies will be discussed with a focus on the description of the disease, its clinical presentation, its typical and atypical sonographic appearance(s), its hemodynamic significance, the differential diagnosis or diagnoses involved, and the optimum scanning techniques in imaging the abnormality and its associated findings. The learning in this course is further refined by students’ hands-on laboratory and clinical practicum experiences in clinical settings where echocardiography is performed.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 253

Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography 2 covers common maternal diseases as well as intrapartum and postpartum events and conditions. The effects of these conditions on the fetus and the fetal environment will discussed. Recognition of these conditions will be covered in a classroom setting and reinforced in a lab setting.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 244

Vascular Sonography 2 provides the theory of anatomy and hemodynamics and the ultrasound assessment of the carotid arteries and intracranial vessels. The recognition of normal sonographic findings in vascular sonography will be reinforced in a lab setting.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 265

This course provides a comprehensive assessment of superficial structures from a sonographic perspective. Focus is placed on normal anatomy and physiology as well as common disease processes with respect to sonographic presentation, etiology and relevant clinical findings. Sonographic assessment of the thyroid and breast using a breast phantom will be practiced in a lab setting.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 254

Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography 3 covers the common pathologies found in gynecology and obstetrical sonography. Focus is placed on the clinical presentation of diseases and congenital abnormalities and typical sonographic appearance used for diagnosis. This course material is reinforced in a lab setting using simulation as well as in a clinical practicum setting.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 303 or DMST 285

Abdomen and Superficial Structures 3 provides a comprehensive assessment of common pathologies found in the abdominopelvic cavity from a sonographic perspective. Focus is placed on etiology, common sonographic appearances and clinical presentations of the diseases. Sonographic assessment of the abdomen will be practiced in the lab setting.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 313 or DMST 295

This course covers common cardiac pathologies and the embryology of the heart, along with specific congenital heart diseases seen in the adult patient. Pathologies will be discussed with a focus on the description of the diseases, their clinical presentations, typical and atypical sonographic appearances, hemodynamic significance, and differential diagnoses. Optimum scanning techniques in imaging the abnormalities and their associated findings will also be covered. The learning in this course is further refined by students’ hands-on laboratory and clinical practicum experiences in clinical settings where echocardiography is performed.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 325 or DMST 283

This course provides the theory of ultrasound assessment of renal, mesenteric, upper and lower extremity vessels, and venipuncture. The theory of indirect testing methods (plethysmography) of peripheral veins and arteries, as well as the theory of the indirect test method of ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement, will also be introduced.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 335 or DMST 293

This course provides a review of all theoretical materials covered in the specialty areas of abdomen and superficial structures, echocardiography, obstetrics and gynecology, and vascular sonography. The focus of this course is to prepare learners for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) national registry exams.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 310

The chain of infection and methods of prevention and control of microorganisms, including blood borne viruses such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will be reviewed. Immunization, routine practice, additional isolation precautions, sterilization and disinfection, safety and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) are also covered.

This self-directed introductory course enables the learner to use and understand the medical terminology common to most allied health personnel. By learning prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, the learner will be able to build, use, and spell medical words that relate to body systems and body organization. Common abbreviations and symbols are also included.

This course reviews elements of the research process. Topics include forming a research question, designing research strategies, and analyzing research data.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 217 or PRCT 356

Clinical Practicum I is the first of three practicum placements in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Learners are provided with the opportunity to rotate through specific clinical settings in order to achieve identified clinical objectives required for achieving entry level competencies as specified in the Sonography Canada Competency Profile.

Pre-requisites:

• DMST 276
• DMST 315
• DMST 326
• DMST 333
• DMST 343
• PHYS 314

Clinical Practicum 2 is the second of three practical placements in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Learners are provided with the opportunity to rotate through specific clinical settings in order to achieve identified clinical objectives required for achieving entry-level competencies as specified in the Sonography Canada National Competency Profile.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 265 or PRCT 300

Clinical Practicum 3 is the third and final practicum placement in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Learners are provided with the opportunity to rotate through specific clinical settings in order to achieve identified clinical objectives required for achieving entry-level competencies as specified by the Sonography Canada National Competency Profile.

Pre-requisites:

• PRCT 310

Physics I provides an overview of ultrasound instrumentation used in diagnostic medical sonography, furnishing an in-depth understanding of how sound interacts with human soft tissue. Physics principles are examined and skills required to operate ultrasound machines and optimize images necessary for performing a variety of ultrasound examinations are demonstrated.

Equivalents:

• PHYS 212

Physics 2 builds on the foundation of Physics 1 and provides the learner with an understanding of basic ultrasound instrumentation, including Doppler.

Pre-requisites:

• PHYS 216

Physics 3 will provide learners with the fundamental principles regarding spectral and colour Doppler, harmonic imaging and the use of contrast agents in medical sonography. Risks of biological effects to the patient, ultrasound image quality, equipment maintenance and different imaging devices will also be covered.

Pre-requisites:

• PHYS 254