ORCID Profile
0000-0001-7466-9530
Current Organisations
Queensland University of Technology
,
Queensland Health
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Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2022
Abstract: Professional competencies are important for enhancing alignment between the needs of education, industry and health consumers, whilst describing public expectations around health professionals. The development of competency standards for the sonography profession defines the behaviours, skills and knowledge sonographers should demonstrate for each learning and experience level. The objective of this project was to develop a set of professional competency standards for the sonography profession which described in depth the behaviours, skills and knowledge sonographers should demonstrate across multiple learning and experience levels. Representatives of three Australian ultrasound professional associations and seven tertiary institutions involved in entry-level sonographer education in Australia formed a research team (RT). The RT recruited an expert panel that responded to six survey rounds. Using a Delphi methodology, the results and free-text comments from each previous round were fed back to participants in the subsequent survey rounds to achieve a consensus. The project developed a professional competency framework for sonographers, which included four major domains: detailed competency standards, sonographer knowledge, sonographer attitudes and a holistic competency matrix [0.6084/m9.figshare.17148035.v2.] The Delphi methodology is an effective way to develop professional competency standards. This paper describes the methods and challenges in developing such standards for sonographers which could be translated to other health professionals.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2022.02.015
Abstract: Maternal obesity is a significant risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes. Obesity is linked to abnormalities in placental tissue at term. The purpose of this study was to correlate changes in placental stiffness, measured via ultrasound elastography, with maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain. Body Mass Index and gestation weight gain data was collected from 238 women. Elastography measurements were obtained via ultrasound at 24-, 28- and 36-weeks' gestation. An analysis using a linear mixed regression model assessed for the statistical significance of pre-pregnancy BMI, pregnancy weight gain and placental SWV (Shear Wave Velocity). Pre-pregnancy weight status has a significant impact on placental tissue stiffness detectable via ultrasound elastography. Placental tissue stiffness was highest in obese women, followed by overweight women. Obese women, on average, had a MeanSWV 0.11 m/s (95% CI (0.061-0.15) m/s, p < 0.001) above the healthy group throughout the 3rd trimester. Weight gain during pregnancy had a small impact on placental stiffness at the end of pregnancy. MeanSWV was 0.06 m/s (95% CI (0.03-0.10) m/s, p < 0.001) higher in the excessive weight gain group. Structural changes of the placenta detected via ultrasound elastography techniques are not exclusive to placental dysfunction conditions (pre-ecl sia and growth restriction) but are also associated with maternal obesity.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-09-2020
DOI: 10.1002/JMRS.431
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-04-2023
DOI: 10.1002/JMRS.676
Abstract: Linking in idual competencies to entrustable professional tasks provides a holistic view of Sonography graduate work readiness. The Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) publishes a set of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) as part of its Standards for Accreditation of Sonography Courses. EPAs are distinct ultrasound examinations grouped within six critical practice units. This study reports on industry perspectives of current EPAs and their classification for graduates completing general sonography courses in Australia. The article also examines the value of EPAs and links their function to the assessment of graduate competency. An online survey tool elicited stakeholder feedback on graduate EPAs across six critical practice units and the potential for including a new Paediatric unit. From an original s le size of 655, 309 responded to questions about general sonography courses. A majority (55.3%) recommended no changes to the existing EPA list, and 44.7% recommended amending the list. From respondents that recommended changes (138/309), all current EPAs received % agreement to be retained in addition, nine new examinations received % agreement for inclusion at the graduate level. Whilst 42.7% (132/309) supported the current ASAR model requiring competency in five out of six critical practice units, 45.6% (141/309) recommended increasing it to all six. There was limited support, 11.7% (36/309), to reduce this number. Responding to the potential to add a new Paediatric specific critical practice unit, 61.8% (181/293) recommended its inclusion. The findings demonstrate that the current list of EPAs aligns with industry expectations. In contrast, there are ergent views on the modelling and grouping of critical practice units. The article's critical analysis of the results and implications provides stakeholders with a practical approach to clinical teaching and EPA assessment, and helps to inform any review of accreditation standards.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.ULTRASMEDBIO.2019.10.027
Abstract: Ultrasound guidance is not in widespread use in prostate cancer radiotherapy workflows. This can be partially attributed to the need for image interpretation by a trained operator during ultrasound image acquisition. In this work, a one-class regressor, based on DenseNet and Gaussian processes, was implemented to automatically assess the quality of transperineal ultrasound images of the male pelvic region. The implemented deep learning approach was tested on 300 transperineal ultrasound images and it achieved a scoring accuracy of 94%, a specificity of 95% and a sensitivity of 92% with respect to the majority vote of 3 experts, which was comparable with the results of these experts. This is the first step toward a fully automatic workflow, which could potentially remove the need for ultrasound image interpretation and make real-time volumetric organ tracking in the radiotherapy environment using ultrasound more appealing.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1002/JMRS.2_324
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-044463
Abstract: The perinatal–postnatal family environment is associated with childhood outcomes including impacts on physical and mental health and educational attainment. Family longitudinal cohort studies collect in-depth data that can capture the influence of an era on family lifestyle, mental health, chronic disease, education and financial stability to enable identification of gaps in society and provide the evidence for changes in government in policy and practice. The Queensland Family Cohort (QFC) is a prospective, observational, longitudinal study that will recruit 12 500 pregnant families across the state of Queensland (QLD), Australia and intends to follow-up families and children for three decades. To identify the immediate and future health requirements of the QLD population pregnant participants and their partners will be enrolled by 24 weeks of gestation and followed up at 24, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, during delivery, on-ward, 6 weeks postpartum and then every 12 months where questionnaires, biological s les and physical measures will be collected from parents and children. To examine the impact of environmental exposures on families, data related to environmental pollution, household pollution and employment exposures will be linked to pregnancy and health outcomes. Where feasible, data linkage of state and federal government databases will be used to follow the participants long term. Biological s les will be stored long term for future discoveries of biomarkers of health and disease. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Mater Research Ethics (HREC/16/MHS/113). Findings will be reported to (1) QFC participating families (2) funding bodies, institutes and hospitals supporting the QFC (3) federal, state and local governments to inform policy (4) presented at local, national and international conferences and (5) disseminated by peer-review publications.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 10-2018
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 21-01-2022
DOI: 10.1177/1742271X211072473
Abstract: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology within the health industry is increasing. This educational piece discusses the implementation of AI and its impact on sonography. The authors investigate how AI may influence the profession and provide ex les of how ultrasound imaging may be enhanced and innovated by integrating AI technology. This article highlights challenges related to the application of AI and provides insight into how they could be addressed. The critical distinction between the role of a sonographer and the reporting specialist in the context of AI is highlighted as a key issue for those developing, researching, and evaluating AI systems. A key recommendation is for the sonography community to address ultrasound education, particularly how AI knowledge could be incorporated into university education. This is an important consideration that should be extended to practising professionals as they may be involved in evaluating the efficiency and methodologies used in new research that may incorporate AI technologies.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1002/AJUM.12189
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-07-2021
DOI: 10.1002/SONO.12276
Abstract: Sonography researchers are often confronted with questions concerning the relationship between measurements acquired in clinical practice. This educational commentary provides clarity on the definition of the terms correlation and agreement. We discuss the statistical tests used to assess correlation and outline some common pitfalls authors fall into when reporting these. We provide ex les of the inaccurate use of these tests in the sonography literature and recommend better alternatives for assessing agreement. This review will benefit authors embarking on studies comparing measurements and reviewers considering manuscripts to ensure the methodology used is sufficient to justify the claims. The authors also provide plots created in the R statistical software package, and the supplementary data file supplied can be used and adapted for those wishing to perform similar statistical tests.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-05-2018
DOI: 10.1002/SONO.12146
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-03-2021
DOI: 10.3390/APP11072992
Abstract: The availability of 2-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography (2D-SWE) technology on modern medical ultrasound systems is becoming increasingly common. The technology is now being used to investigate a range of soft tissues and related pathological conditions. This work investigated the reliability of a single commercial 2D-SWE system using a tissue-mimicking elastography phantom to understand the major causes of intra-system variability. Sources of shear wave velocity (SWV) measurement variability relates to imaging depth, target stiffness, s ling technique and the operator. Higher SWV measurement variability was evident with increasing depth and stiffness of the phantom targets. The influence of the operator was minimal, and variations in s ling technique had little impact on the SWV.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-06-2022
DOI: 10.1002/SONO.12307
Publisher: figshare
Date: 2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-04-2022
DOI: 10.1002/SONO.12309
Abstract: Sonographers possess a unique and complex body of knowledge and skills, providing real health benefits to the community. The value of competency frameworks rests on their capacity to support and facilitate professional practice in the interests of public safety. The commitment to act in the service of others carries with it a professional and ethical obligation to practice within the boundaries of accepted competency standards. The well‐accepted Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) competency standards for entry‐level Australian sonographers were introduced a decade ago. At this time, ultrasound technology, its application and the sonographer's role as a critical interface to this technology continue to evolve. The article provides an overview of research used to develop a contemporary competency framework for sonographers. It describes each framework component and how these components have a potential role in sonographer education and clinical practice at different levels of expertise. Sonographer competencies were developed via a national collaborative research project led by a multi‐institutional research team of academic and industry professionals. A Delphi study design elicited consensus on multiple competency characteristics from an expert panel of 55 sonographers. The expert panel contained representatives from all Australian states and territories and represented all domains of practice. The resulting project outcome consisted of a competency framework containing four significant components: sonographer competency standards, sonographer knowledge, sonographer attitudes and a holistic competency matrix.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2022
Publisher: Mark Allen Group
Date: 02-10-2017
DOI: 10.12968/JOWC.2017.26.10.583
Abstract: To assess the relationship in healthy adults and critically ill patients between: patient position, body mass index (BMI), patient body temperature, interface pressure (IP) and tissue reperfusion (TR). Also to determine the relationship in critically ill patients between: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Braden Scale score for predicting pressure injury risk, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) severity of disease classification score, IP and TR. This study took place in a 27-bed intensive care unit (ICU) of an Australian tertiary hospital. IP and TR outcomes were measured at the sacrum and greater trochanter. Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and doubly multivariate repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted using peak pressure index (PPI), peak time (PT), settled time constant (STC) and normalised hyperaemic area (NHA) measures of TR as outcomes. Participant type, body mass index (BMI), Braden and APACHE II scores and patient body temperature were considered as between-groups factors and covariates. We recruited 23 low- and high-acuity ICU patients and nine healthy adult volunteers. Not all IP readings could be obtained from ICU patients. TR readings were collected from all recruited patients, but not all TR measurements were mutually uncorrelated. Controlling for age, PPI readings differed between participant types (p=0.093), with the highest values associated with high-acuity patients and the lowest with healthy adults the association was not substantive when controlling for age and BMI. Age was a significant variable (p=0.008), with older participants having higher scores than younger ones. No statistically significant associations between any measured parameter and TR variables were observed. However, temperature was revealed to be related to TR (p=0.091). Although not powered to detect significant effects, this pilot analysis has determined several associations of importance, with differences in outcomes observed between low- and high-acuity ICU patients and between ICU patients and healthy volunteers.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2021.09.001
Abstract: Research into the role of ultrasound elastography to assess compromised placental tissue is ongoing. There is particular interest in evaluating its potential in the investigation of changes associated with uteroplacental dysfunction. To date, there is limited data on how different maternal and fetal considerations, such as advancing gestational age, amniotic fluid Index (AFI) and maternal body mass index (BMI) may influence shear wave velocity (SWV) measurements. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in SWV throughout gestation and model these changes with other developing fetal and maternal physiological and biological characteristics. The study utilised 238 singleton pregnancies and collected longitudinal data at repeated intervals in the 3rd trimester representing 629 in idual data points. Linear mixed model regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors for SWV. From a total of ten variables selected for modelling, only gestational age, AFI, BMI, and s le depth were found to be significant predictors of placental SWV, and gestational age and AFI were found to have only a minimal impact on SWV. Sophisticated statistical modelling demonstrates that many of the expected maternal and fetal changes in the 3rd trimester have no or minimal impact on placental SWV. Understanding which factors influence placental SWV is essential to ascertain the technique's utility in managing pregnancies complicated by placental dysfunction in the future.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
No related grants have been discovered for Christopher Edwards.