This self-paced online course explores quality assurance, the audit cycle, image optimization, and the AI tools emerging in ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology are an interconnected group of topics that will be explored in this course. Each of these topics represent a different path to the same goal; how to take the best ultrasound image, at the optimal time, in order to achieve the most beneficial health outcomes.
Overview
Course name: ATC1 Quality, audit, image optimization, and AI tools
Duration of course: 9 hours (+ supplementary materials)
Length of access for each course: 12 months
Certificates: 9 CME credits and ISUOG Certificate of Completion
Access: Online learning, learn at your own pace.
Education level: Advanced
Program language: English
Suitable for: Practicing obstetricians, trainees, fellows, residents, midwives, nurses, radiographers, sonographers, GPs and healthcare professionals performing ultrasound scans.
Why do this course?
Understanding quality, audit, and image optimization in ultrasound is important because these elements ensure the accuracy, reliability, and diagnostic effectiveness of ultrasound exams. High-quality images are crucial for making precise diagnoses and guiding appropriate treatments, while regular audits help maintain adherence to clinical standards and identify areas for improvement. Image optimization techniques enhance the clarity and detail of ultrasound images, minimizing diagnostic errors and improving patient outcomes. By focusing on these aspects, healthcare professionals can deliver consistent, high-standard care, ultimately enhancing patient safety and the overall quality of medical services.
Course description
Quality assurance, the audit cycle, image optimization, and the AI tools emerging in ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology are an interconnected group of topics that will be explored in this lesson. Each of these topics represent a different path to the same goal; how to take the best ultrasound image, at the optimal time, in order to achieve the most beneficial health outcomes.
In this course, we aim to provide healthcare practitioners with expert insights as we examine the interplay of four key elements in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound: quality assurance, the audit cycle, image optimization, and AI integration.
These discrete yet converging domains collectively strive for precision ultrasound imaging to enhance health outcomes. Quality assurance establishes a foundation for standardization, the audit cycle refines practices cyclically, image optimization hones diagnostic accuracy, and emerging AI tools leverage advanced algorithms and machine learning in order to reduce errors and streamline interpretation. Together, these facets form distinct but cohesive paths towards the shared goal of capturing exceptional ultrasound images, at the most beneficial time, in order to achieve the best health outcomes.
Contributors to this course
Online course contributors: Suseela Vavilala, Lior Drukker, Andrew Cowling, Angela Ranzini, Lina Youssef. Course materials: Professor Jon Hyett, David Wright, Professor Karl Kagan, Dr. Daniel Rolnik, Professor Suresh Seshadri, Professor Rabih Chaoui, Professor Dario Paladini, Professor Phylis Glanc, Professor Ja-Young Kwon, Professor Aris Papageorghiou, Professor Helen Feltovich, Professor Heron Werner, Professor Dirk Timmerman, Professor Antonia Testa, Dr. Jen Barcroft, Professor Daniella Fisherova, Dr. Raffaele Napolitano.
Learning objectives
- Understand the factors that affect the quality of US imaging and how to mitigate and improve them.
- Understand the various strategies for implementing quality-assuance programs and using the Audit cycle to improve ultrasound-based screening.
- Recognize the importance of a qualitative and quantitative approach in the standardization and quality control of ultrasound imaging.
- How to fully optimize image quality by utilizing ultrasound knobology to its full extent.
- Comprehend how emerging AI tools in ultrasound imaging work and how they can contribute to quality assurance in obstetrics and gynecology.
Key questions
- What are the factors that affect the quality of US imaging and how can they be mitigated and improved?
- How can you use the Audit cycle to improve ultrasound-based fetal screening?
- What are the recognized strategies for implementing quality-improvement programs?
- How are ultrasound machines optimized in order to create the best ultrasound image?
- How is quality assurance influenced by the emerging AI tools available in obstetrics and gynecology?
Prices
Prices for ISUOG members
| ISUOG member | £75 |
| ISUOG member - with trainee/sonographer discount  | £40 |
| ISUOG member in middle-income setting | £40 |
| ISUOG member in lower-resource setting | £10 |
Prices for ISUOG non-members*
| Non-member | £85 |
| Non-member - with trainee/sonographer discount  | £50 |
| Non-member in middle-income setting | £50 |
| Non-member in lower-resource setting | £15 |
* Prices for non-members does NOT include ISUOG membership. Join as an ISUOG member first for discounted prices to our online training courses (allow 24 hours for systems to update).
Trainees/residents and sonographers/radiographers
Proof of status: All trainees, residents, sonographers and radiographers will need to submit proof of their trainee, resident, sonographer or radiographer status by way of a letter from their Department or Institution. The letter must be in English and dated within the last 3 months and submitted by email to [email protected] along with the name of the course you wish to purchase.
Sonographer definition: A sonographer is a non-physician medical imaging professional who performs diagnostic medical sonography, or diagnostic ultrasound.
Trainee/resident definition: A trainee is a medical professional who is not yet fully qualified or practicing without supervision within their chosen specialty and in accordance with the relevant national regulatory authorities; a resident is in residency training which leads to specially or subspecialty) certification.
Low resource country discount
ISUOG's mission is to disseminate the highest quality education to the broadest audience. To support this aim, we have ensured that attendees from low resource countries have the lowest purchase costs. ISUOG's low resource country list can be viewed here https://www.research4life.org/access/eligibility/.
No other discounts can be used in conjunction with this rate. These rates will appear automatically in the ISUOG Academy based on your membership details, or registered details. Please make sure these details are up to date.
Middle income country discount
ISUOG's mission is to disseminate the highest quality education to the broadest audience. To support this aim, we have ensured that attendees from middle income countries have access to reduced purchase costs. ISUOG has identified the following countries whose economies fall within the middle income category as defined by the World Bank: American Samoa, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic , India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan.
No other discounts can be used in conjunction with this rate. These rates will appear automatically in the ISUOG Academy based on your membership details, or registered details. Please make sure these details are up to date.
Further information
Accreditation and CME Credits
CME credits
The European Accreditation Council (EACCME) accredits this online course for Continuing Medical Education (CME). European CME credits (ECMEC®) will be awarded on successful completion of this course. Through an agreement between the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA), physicians may convert EACCME credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Information on the process to convert EACCME credit to AMA credit can be found at www.ama-assn.org/go/internationalcme.
CME Subcommittee
The CME Subcommittee oversees the CME requirements for our CME accredited courses.
Conflict of Interest
No commercial support has been accepted related to the development or publication of this course. This course underwent peer review in line with the standards of editorial integrity and publication ethics maintained by the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG). Conflicts of interest have been identified and resolved in accordance with EACCME guidelines.
You can find out how we adhere to the essential criteria for EACCME accreditation requirements here.
Technical Requirements
You can study on your phone, tablet or laptop. To participate and access this activity you will need a good internet connection and an up to date browser:
- MS Internet Explorer 11 (Not including compatibility modes)
- MS Edge
- Mozilla Firefox version 60 Extended Support Release (ESR)
- Google Chrome 73
- Safari 10 auf OS X
- Mobile Browser Android >4 and iOS > 9
- Current versions of Adobe Reader plugin
Terms and Conditions
You can find our full Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Policy here.
You can find our Refund Policy here.
Advanced ultrasound imaging curriculum course list
Other courses in this series that are currently available:
ATC1 Ultrasound physics and Doppler fundamentals
ATC1 Doppler in obstetrics
ATC1 Doppler in gynecology
ATC1 Clinical use of Doppler in pregnancy
ATC1 Advances in ultrasound