Training activity information
Details
Measure acoustic output of physiotherapy and/or other therapeutic ultrasound equipment
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Measurement of pressure, intensity and total acoustic power
- Safety indices and BMUS guidelines
- Hands-on use of ultrasound equipment, hydrophone, radiation force balance, thermal test objects or thermal camera
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- Consider specific insights you hope to gain regarding the safety and calibration of therapeutic ultrasound devices.
- Think about your current understanding of ultrasound physics and its therapeutic applications.
- Anticipate learning about the practical techniques and equipment used for acoustic output measurement.
- Consider the importance of accurate output measurement for ensuring patient safety and treatment efficacy.
- Discuss the specific therapeutic ultrasound equipment to be measured and the measurement protocols with your training officer.
- Review relevant safety guidelines (e.g., AIUM, BMUS) and measurement standards.
- Familiarise yourself with the acoustic measurement equipment and its operation.
- Plan your measurement procedure, including safety precautions and data recording methods.
- Reflect on your current knowledge of therapeutic ultrasound and safety regulations.
In action
- Pay attention to your actions. How are you approaching the measurement of acoustic output? Why are you doing it this way?
- What decisions are you making as you set up the measurement equipment and perform the measurements?
- What aspects of understanding acoustic measurement principles and equipment operation feel intuitive, and what requires more conscious effort?
- How effective are your actions in accurately measuring the acoustic output of the therapeutic ultrasound equipment?
- What challenges are you facing in setting up the equipment correctly, performing the measurements, or interpreting the results?
- What can you learn about the safe and effective use of therapeutic ultrasound as it unfolds?
- How does this activity connect to your understanding of ultrasound physics and safety guidelines?
- Are there alternative measurement techniques or equipment you could be considering?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment to ensure accurate measurements or understand safety protocols?
- Are you carefully following measurement procedures and documenting the results?
On action
- What parameters of acoustic output did you measure (e.g., pressure, intensity, power)?
- What measurement techniques and equipment did you use?
- How did the measured values compare to expected or recommended levels?
- What did you learn about the principles of therapeutic ultrasound and its potential bioeffects?
- How did this activity enhance your understanding of safety considerations related to therapeutic ultrasound?
- What factors can influence the acoustic output of therapeutic ultrasound devices?
- How will this knowledge inform your understanding of the safe and effective use of therapeutic ultrasound equipment?
- What further learning could you undertake in the area of therapeutic ultrasound physics and safety guidelines?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your skills in this area?
Beyond action
- Reflect on the process of measuring the acoustic output of therapeutic ultrasound equipment. What were the key parameters you measured and what did you learn about the output characteristics?
- Have you encountered therapeutic ultrasound equipment in clinical practice? Did your understanding of its acoustic output influence your awareness of safety considerations?
- Consider if your understanding of the physics of therapeutic ultrasound and safety guidelines has deepened, and how this relates to your measurements.
- Has this activity enhanced your understanding of the differences between diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound in terms of acoustic output levels and safety requirements?
- Has your awareness of the importance of accurate acoustic output measurements for patient safety been heightened?
- How has this experience prepared you for performing acoustic output measurements for diagnostic or therapeutic ultrasound devices?
- How will knowledge of acoustic output measurement and safety guidelines be valuable in future roles involving the use or oversight of therapeutic ultrasound equipment?
- What further investigation into the biological effects of therapeutic ultrasound or advanced measurement techniques would you be interested in undertaking?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Assess the safety of the clinical application of non-ionising radiation. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Acquire MR and ultrasound images and apply appropriate user-controllable parameters. |