MSc Ultrasound Testimonials

Eirik

Working as a chiropractor the vast majority of one’s patients are suffering from musculoskeletal complaints. After graduating and during my undergraduate years I realised the limitations of a clinical examination for musculoskeletal complaints. Hence I caught interest in diagnostic ultrasound as a tool for diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions.

When I first started working with diagnostic ultrasound I was fortunate to have a good supervisor and I attended a lot of short courses.Even though many of the short courses were of excellent quality they did not provide any formal qualifications. For me this was a very important criterion when embarking on the Msc course, as it will give a formal qualification. 

Today there is no restrictions for the use of diagnostic ultrasound, however there will probably be in the future. Through an academic degree one would then be able to formally document that one is safe to practice and hence not be restricted in the use of diagnostic ultrasound. As the course is accredited by EFSUMB and CASE it has gone through a process of quality assurance and provides a very good learning environment.

The course provides a very good teaching faculty that supports you whenever you may need it. It is also great to be studying together with different practitioners like rheumatologists, sports physicians, chiropractors, physiotherapists, general practitioners, sonographers and more. I would highly recommend any practitioner that works within the field of musculoskeletal care to embark on the MSc course in diagnostic ultrasound.

Marthese

I am a Maltese general practitioner working in the private sector as a solo practitioner. Since 1997, I introduced ultrasound in my practice since I am a female GP and thus practice women's health most of the time. Due to the fact that ultrasonography is operator-dependent, I had to employ an ultrasonographer, who used to come once a week to perform ultrasound to my patients.

In 2007, there was this opportunity to form a group of Maltese GPs and undergo the course of MSc Ultrasound course. For me, this course would mean that by acquiring the skills, I can perform both the clinical assessment and ultrasound for the appropriate patient, who will be under my care throughout the whole time. This proved right. The benefits obtained from the course incorporate both the practice and my personal satisfaction. I implemented what I learned regarding ultrasonography, which I perform on a daily basis. This has resulted in better quality of service and patient satisfaction. On the other hand, it has given me a new sense of identity as a GP with ultrasound skills as my special interest.

Apart from its implementation in my practice, the ultrasound course has given me the opportunity to integrate with the other colleagues in the course, thus forming a sort of community. We share experiences and serve as a means of support to each other. Since we were the first Maltese group undergoing the ultrasound course, we are now serving as a vehicle for the next group of Maltese GPs, who have just started the coarse in 2010.

Altaf

My interest in Ultrasound dates back to 1978, when I was working as general surgical registrar in United Arab Emirates. There was a high incidence of road traffic accidents during the early days in UAE. One of the Radiologists had a special interest in using the newly acquired Ultrasound in trauma patients especially in abdominal blunt trauma. He used to follow me to the theatre whenever I did a splenectomy to confirm his preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of splenic rupture.

I always wanted to learn the skill of ultrasound and use it in my clinical practice. My dream only materialised only four years ago, when I attended the Ultrasound course organised by Dr. Budgie Hussain. Luckily the department acquired a portable Ultrasound machine (Sonosite) and I started using the machine in my clinical practice. The Radiologist colleagues were reluctant to supervise me as they felt that the Urologist with ultrasound skills might undermine their areas of expertise. I had to seek the guidance of a friendly Radiologist from a neighbouring hospital and collected the data to get the proficiency in Ultrasound practice. Dr. Husain suggested that I do a MSc in Ultrasound.

The ultrasound examination has become an extension of my clinical examination after history taking and physical examination. I can diagnose most of the urological ailments during the patient’s first visit thereby reducing the waiting time for further investigation and a second visit to the hospital. In other patients I can decide the correct investigation and treatment pathway. Unfortunately the previous decision of the Royal College of Surgeons to include the ultrasound training as a part of higher surgical training for the urologist has been revoked as there was not enough support from the Radiology colleagues.

I have completed the first year and I am now in my second year of the MSc. The administrative and faculty members in AECC are very friendly and supportive. Prof. J. Bolton is an inspiring teacher who made the two days Research Seminar very interesting and I am looking forward to the Research project next year.