DMU Overview

The Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography is an internationally accepted qualification in diagnostic ultrasound.

The Diploma (DMU) is regarded as a post graduate professional qualification, for which candidates must direct their own study to the syllabus and reading lists. DMU applicants must hold a diploma or degree in medical imaging, nursing, science, cardiopulmonary technology, medical technology, medical degrees that are not registerable in Australia or New Zealand or other educational backgrounds which are deemed by the Board to contribute to the modality. The DMU examinations are conducted annually, in two parts, by the Board of Examiners. Candidates may be examined in General, Cardiac, Vascular or Obstetric Ultrasonography.

The Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography is awarded by the Council of the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) after satisfactory academic achievement including a period of practical training and examination.

The DMU represents the Society's recognition of professional
competence in sonography and ASUM encourages all practising
sonographers to achieve this standard.

Examinations
The Parts I and II written examinations are conducted in major centres in Australia and New Zealand.

The Part II practical examinations are generally held at the clinical practice of the candidate and OSCE examinations are held at centres nominated by the Board of Examiners.

Candidates being examined in specialty areas may have some restrictions placed on the location of their OSCE and practical examinations.

DMU Part I
The Part I examination covers the basic subjects required in ultrasonography including the basic principles of ultrasound and instrumentation.

A pass in both papers is required for the Part I examination to be awarded:

    1. Physical Principles of Ultrasound and Instrumentation
      All specialities sit for this paper which examines candidates' knowledge of basic terminology, propagation of ultrasound in tissue, principles of imaging, transducer technology, electronic array technology, performance parameters, image artifacts, Doppler principles, artifacts, and instrumentation and bioeffects.
    2. Anatomy, Embryology, Physiology, General Pathology
      Examines candidates' knowledge in the selected specialty. This includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

GENERAL - anatomy (sectional and gross anatomy of organ systems and structures that can be determined using ultrasound), embryology, general principles of pathology; physiology, basic understanding of relevant organ and system function, and normal obstetrics.

CARDIAC - cardiac and thoracic anatomy with emphasis on sectional views corresponding to echocardiographic conventions, embryology and implications of cardiac anomalies, physiology (to include the principles of the physiology of the heart, ECG and haemodynamics), general principles of pathology and pharmacology.

OBSTETRIC - anatomy (sectional and gross anatomy of organ systems and structures that can be demonstrated using ultrasound), embryology, general principles of pathology, physiology of conception and pregnancy, basic understanding of relevant organ and system function with an emphasis on normal obstetrics.

VASCULAR - anatomy, embryology, physiology and general principles of pathology specifically pertaining to the vascular system.

DMU Part II
The Part II candidate must have verified documentation of his/her clinical experience in Australia or New Zealand and the recommended numbers of examinations recorded.

The candidate will be expected to attain competence in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic ultrasound examination. In addition to a review of relevant Part I material, emphasis will be placed on the development of technical skills, image interpretation and patient care.

The part II examination consists of:

  1. One written paper on ultrasound techniques

  2. A practical examination (Two patients)

  3. An OSCE examination
    With reference to the specialty selected, the candidate will be expected to:

    GENERAL - recognise and identify normal and abnormal sonographic appearances in the following areas: the general abdomen, including the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, spleen and urinary tract; vascular system, female pelvis, breast, testes, thyroid gland, neonatal head, obstetrics and musculoskeletal.

    CARDIAC - assess valvular heart disease, pericardial disease, systemic and pulmonary heart disease, cardiomyopathies, ischaemic heart disease, cardiac tumours, diseases of the aorta and congenital heart disease.

    OBSTETRIC - recognise and identify the normal sonographic appearances and abnormalities of the embryo and fetal anatomical structures during the first, second and third trimester; fetal position and lie, cardiac activity, age measurements, and growth; placenta; umbilical cord; amniotic fluid; assessment of fetal well being; Doppler; prenatal diagnosis and the maternal pelvis. The candidate will also be examined on maternal disease, maternal abdomen, urinary tract, liver and biliary system, post partum, neonatal sonography and pregnancy related gynaecological conditions.

    VASCULAR - recognise and identify normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the extracranial, peripheral, visceral/abdominal and pelvic vasculature. Expertise in the use of non invasive testing modalities, including various forms of plethysmography, continuous wave Doppler analysis and treadmill exercise, is essential. While the Board of Examiners recognises that the following procedures are not routinely performed in all laboratories, candidates should familiarise themselves with the indications and scanning requirements for native and transplant renal arteries, impotence testing, and transcranial Doppler.

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