This module's delivery reflects the practical but varied nature of musculoskeletal ultrasound guided interventions. Face-to-face teaching will assist the students with the related scientific principles. Tutors will guide the students through the practical processes from preparation of injection equipment through to performing the guided intervention. Students will be expected to engage in class room discussions exploring professional elements including timing of the intervention in the patient's management pathway, the overall patient experience and evaluation of practice. A significant proportion of the learning will take place in the student's work place so the clinical application of ultrasound guided injections can be explored. Learning in the work place ensures the reality of clinical scenarios and professional responsibilities are considered alongside technical issues.
Students will need to practice their scanning techniques independently and will need support in the work place to complete the module assessment.
There is no formal placement requirement but students will need to complete musculoskeletal interventions in the work place as part of their assessment. One or more work place mentors will need to be identified to enable the clinical interventions to be performed. Mentors will be guided by Clinical Skills Learning Documentation and will be provided with contact details of the module leader who can be contacted if queries arise. All clinical interventions should initially be performed under supervision, this will facilitate the learning and enable the student to develop competency. Work place supervisors need to complete documentation to provide evidence of the student's learning.
The module teaching material will be available to all registered students via the university's intranet learning platform, Moodle. This virtual learning environment will also be used as depository to a library of films. These edited films will present protocols for performing ultrasound guided shoulder injections, they will also be matched to the scanning images that will portray needle placement. This technology brings the class room to the work place so students can learn in their work environment using their own ultrasound systems whilst being assisted by a 'virtual sonographer'.
There are no timetabled tutorials, students are encouraged to e-mail the module leader for learning support if required.
Initially, students will be introduced to the theoretical considerations that underpin injection therapy and ultrasound guided interventions. There will be an emphasis on practical skill teaching, sessions will include principles of ultrasound guided injections so students are introduced to the skill of needle visualisation before moving onto regionally specific and pathology specific training.