Testimonials from MSc Ultrasound Graduates

Dr Eirik Skeie (Musculoskeletal)

Chiropractor

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 took 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.
Today there are no restrictions for the use of diagnostic ultrasound, however there probably will 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.

Dr Altaf Shamsuddin (General)

Associate Specialist in Urology
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

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 splenectomy to confirm his preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of splenic rupture. I always wanted to learn the skill of doing ultrasound and use it in my clinical practice. My dream only materialised four years ago, when I attended the Ultrasound course organised by Dr. Budgie Hussain.
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. Professor Bolton is an inspiring teacher who made the two day Research Seminar very interesting and I am looking forward to the Research project next year.

Dr Marthese Sciortino (General and Gynaecology)

General Medical Practitioner

I am a Maltese general practitioner working in the private sector. In 1997, I introduced the availability of 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 on my patients.
In 2007, there was an opportunity to form a group of Maltese GPs and undergo the course of MSc in Ultrasound at the AECC. For me, this course would mean that by acquiring the skills, I could perform both the clinical assessment and ultrasound for the appropriate patient, who would be under my care throughout the whole time. 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 other colleagues on 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 course.