Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Bachelor of Science program is to provide the residents of Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and surrounding regions with graduates possessing the knowledge, behaviors and clinical skills necessary to become competent, ethical and caring imaging professionals, and to provide the foundation for life-long learning.
Educational Objectives
The program prepares graduates to:
- utilize effective communication skills.
- employ diagnostic sonographic imaging techniques, critical thinking skills, and professional judgment to clinical applications.
- employ ergonomically correct scanning techniques.
- successfully complete nationally recognized credential examinations.
- instill the importance of life-long learning and professional contribution.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates from the DMS program will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective oral, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in teams.
- Demonstrate an ability to provide basic patient care and comfort.
- Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of normal gross and sectional human anatomy.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology.
- Demonstrate knowledge of sonographic biological effects, proper application of sonographic instrumentation techniques relating to imaging and film quality.
- Image abdominal and superficial structures and to differentiate between normal and abnormal anatomy.
- Image gender-specific pelvic and obstetrical structures and to differentiate between normal and abnormal anatomy.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of ergonomic scanning techniques.
- Demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultural and humanistic traditions in the global society.
Curriculum Map
The curriculum map for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program can be found on the program's web page on the OIT web site.
Summary of Student Learning Outcomes
During the 2007-08 academic year, the DMS faculty formally assessed the student learning outcomes summarized below. Additional details can be found in the attached assessment report and in department assessment records.
Student Learning Outcome #5: The student will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology.
Strengths: Senior extern students exceeded benchmark for written pathology case studies by 1%. Additional assessment was conducted by means of an examination where the same students met benchmark projections; 91% exceeding expectations.
Areas for improvement: None at this time
Student Learning Outcome #9: The student will demonstrate knowledge and application of ergonomic scanning techniques.
Senior Strengths: Senior extern students performed clinically in all performance areas above expectations. Self assessment results of the same group yielded all reporting students exceeding minimum performance levels.
Areas for improvement: None at this time
Sophomore Strengths: Sophomores performed at 69% far below acceptable standards during their first programmatic term in the area of fore-finger/transducer placement. The other criteria met or exceeded expectations. As a result, reassessment of this group was completed during their second quarter on campus which yielded an overall performance above initial expectations.
Areas for improvement: None at this time.
Critical Thinking
Strengths: Senior extern students exceeded minimum performance levels in all criteria: indentify and explain problem, recognize stakeholders, personal responses, evaluation of assumptions, evidence, implications, conclusions, and consequences.
Areas for improvement: None at this time.
Changes Resulting from Assessment
Student Learning Outcome #9: The student will demonstrate knowledge and application of ergonomic scanning techniques.
Sophomores performed at 69%, far below acceptable standards, during their first programmatic term in the area of fore-finger/transducer placement. The other criteria met or exceeded expectations. Prior to repeat numerical assessment, sophomore students were provided with mini in-service announcements at the beginning of winter term lab sessions during weeks 1, 2 and 5. 100% of sophomores received a short reminder of ergonomic significance in sonography at advising sessions. As a result, reassessment of this group was completed during their second quarter on campus which yielded an overall performance above initial expectations.
Both on and off campus students began discussing the importance of proper ergonomic applications without faculty facilitation. A greater awareness from the extern clinical instructors (hospital staff) was demonstrated in the annual advisory committee meeting held in May of 2008.
Areas for improvement: None at this time