The course is intended to be an introductory program for the student with little or no experience in ultrasonography and it will focus on the basic and common ultrasonographic examinations appropriate for a GP practice. Hence, it puts full emphasis on hands-on practice and the appreciation of ultrasound images. The student will be carefully guided by a certified and experienced sonographer throughout the course. Advanced training can be arranged on a case by case basis.

The duration of the basic training program is four and a half hours. The total hours will be spread equally over three sessions of one and a half hour each.

The training will use a "textbook" called "Ultrasound Teaching Manual: The basics of Performing and Interpreting Ultrasound Scans". We will provide this textbook as a package with the system.

The student will also get a set of recommended standard step by step ultrasound scanning protocols for their own practice and reference.

The training will emphasize fully on "hands-on approach" so that the student will have ample opportunity to learn via practical means.

The contents of the training program are as follows:

a. Knobology
This will cover instructions on the functions of various knobs and function keys of the ultrasound machine.

b. Standard Sonographic Sections With Corresponding Transducer Positions
This will illustrate the basic orientation of transducer commonly used in ultrasonography.

c. Abdominal Scans
This section will include patient preparation and basic scanning techniques of the following organs:

• Pancrease
• Liver
• Gall Bladder
• Kidney
• Spleen

d. Urinary System
This section will include patient preparation and basic scanning techniques of the kidneys, bladder and prostate (for male patient).

e. Pelvis - Female
This section will include patient preparation and basic scanning techniques of the female pelvis. The focus will be screening of the reproductive systems including uterus and ovaries.

Artifacts
This section will illustrate artifacts associated with ultrasonography.

For GP customers, this training program will only use standard convex transducer.

For O&G specialists, advanced instructions on the use of trans-vaginal transducer may be considered if the need arises.

In order to ensure the quality of the hands-on training, the maximum number of students is restricted to 3 per ultrasound machine per session.

g) Presentation of commonly encountered abnormalities in ultrasonography.
After having learnt how to obtain and appreciate standard normal sonographic sections, the students will be shown various examples of abnormalities commonly encountered in ultrasound. A CD-Rom on the topic will also be given.

i) Basic Ultrasound Scanning Proficiency Assessment.
At the end of the three days course, the student will be tested on his basic proficiency in obtaining and identifying various standard sonographic sections.

k) Certificate of attendance.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be presented with a certificate of attendance in basic ultrasonographic training awarded by Shimadzu Ultrasound Training Centre.

Note:
This training program is specifically designed and fully paid for only for Bluestone ultrasound customers. Request for training for non customers will be charged at a full fees of S$550.00 per student.