Ultrasound Education Group

The Ultrasound Education Group is the largest provider of ultrasound education in Australasia. The focus of UEG is on the development of learning in clinical ultrasound as well as hands-on workshops and simulator training programs. The first course created was the Postgraduate Diploma of Perioperative and Critical Care Echocardiography (PGDipEcho). Over time this course has been expanded to the current portfolio which includes Certificate, Diploma and Master of Clinical Ultrasound. The iHeartScan and iHeartScan Advanced workshops were also developed, and the Focused Cardiac Ultrasound TTE, TOE, Peri-Arrest, Vascular and Lung courses, 3D Echocardiography and DVT workshop which integrate eLearning with simulators to reinforce practical components. AWARDS In 2015 the unit was successful in obtaining the largest NHMRC grant awarded to a department from The University of Melbourne, which was for The International Multi-centre Randomised Trial on Transfusion Triggers in Cardiac Surgery, led from Ontario, Canada. In 2011 UEG received the Teaching Award for Excellence in Program Development with the Postgraduate courses in clinical ultrasound. Recently the UEG has acquired high fidelity simulator equipment and set up a simulator education laboratory and education program, which is led by Dr David Canty, The Director of Simulation. A number of courses have been set up, which have been very successful amongst medical specialists, trainees and residents and are likely to change the way that practical ultrasound skills are learned RESEARCH OVERVIEW 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.