Jessie Childs

Teaching Strengths

Research processes and evidence based practice
Simulation based learning
Professional Standards
Managing student diversity in an online learning
Inter professional learning

Dr Jessie Childs

Senior Lecturer, Medical Sonography

School of Allied Health and Human Performance

College of Health

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Jessie Childs PhD, Grad Dip (Medical Sonography), Bachelor of Health Science (Honours, Specialisation, Medical Radiations) is a full time lecturer and researcher in Medical Sonography, and the Program Director of the suite of Medical Sonography programs in Allied Health and Human Performance, working at UniSA since 2011.
Jessie has over fifteen years experience in sonography education serving as the chief and tutor sonographer at multiple public and private practices across Australia before settling down into her passion, academia. Jessie currently teaches Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, Musculoskeletal Sonography, Advanced Skill Project and Advanced or Extended Practice Report into the Graduate Diploma and Masters of Medical Sonography courses.    
As well as a keen interest in teaching the practical and theoretical aspects of ultrasound, Jessie is also heavily invested in ultrasound research.  After completing an honours thesis in sonography of the ulnar nerve she went on to gain her PhD in developing a method of measurement and normal reference interval for sonographic 2D measurements of the liver. The capstone paper of this research was one of Wiley's top 5 most downloaded radiology papers of 2016. 
Whilst continuing postdoctoral research into the liver, Jessie is also involved in multiple collaborations with other researchers in the fields of PICC vein insertions, endometriosis diagnosis, renal dialysis efficiency, ultrasound safety, weight loss, sonographer wellbeing, and gastroesophageal surgical access, whilst leading two national projects on the COVID-19 impacts on sonographers and the development of new sonographer accreditation standards. 
In 2014 Jessie was awarded the Australasian Sonographers Association's (ASA) highest accolade: The Pru Pratten Memorial award; National Sonographer of the year for her contribution to ultrasound through teaching, innovation and research. In 2017, Jessie was awarded National Researcher of the year. Jessie serves as the nominated Chair of the ASA fellowship committee, a member of the ASA SA Branch Committee, a judge of the national sonography awards, a working group member of the Pru Pratten Memorial award, and the associate editor of the 'Sonography' journal. 

Project Lead: National project collaborating with one member from each professional body and each institution which delivers and accredited medical sonography program. Funded by the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry: What are the observable behaviours, knowledge, skills and attitudes that should be demonstrated by sonographers. (Current)

Project Lead: What is the current and ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Australasian Sonographers. An Australian and New Zealand project funded by the Australasian Sonographers Association.  (Current)

Research Team: 9 month randomised control trial assess the effects of almonds versus carbohydrate rich snack foods on weight loss and weight maintenance. USA Almond Board Grant (Current)

Research Team: Impact of point of care ultrasonography on dialysis access needle placement. RAH Rural Grant (Current)

PhD Supervisor: The ability of Health nurses to diagnose DDH of infant hips using ultrasound. (Current)

Masters Supervisor: What is the accuracy and validity of transvaginal ultrasound performed by sonographers in the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis prior to surgery? (Current)

Honours Primary Supervisor: Australasian sonographers’ knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards the 2018 IEBG in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome. 

Primary Researcher: Can a newly developed equation of the liver and corresponding reference range predict an abnormal liver. Australasian Sonographers Association Researcher Grant (2021)

Co Primary Researcher: Can bedside ultrasonography accurately predict liver volume in patients following a very low-calorie diet VLCD prior to laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery? RAH Research Committee Clinical Project Grant (2021)

Research Team: The catheter to vein ratio and rates of symptomatic venous thromboembolism in cancer patients with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) University of South Australia Pathfinder Grant (2017)

Honours Thesis - The impact of ancestry and body size on sonographic ulnar nerve dimensions (2012)

PhD - The development of a valid and reliable method to measure the size of the liver using 2D ultrasound. 

Year Citation
2025 Cormack, C. J., Childs, J., & Kent, F. (2025). Sonographer experiences of interprofessional ultrasound education: a qualitative study. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, online(4), 1-7.
DOI Europe PMC1
2025 Smart, L., O'shaughnessy, P. K., Pelentsov, L., Childs, J., Williams, N., & Esterman, A. (2025). Barlow, Ortolani and hippy dolls: Understanding child health nurses practice when screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 42(1), 25-30.
DOI
2025 Kim, D., Deslandes, A., Childs, J., & Osborne, B. (2025). Are Transvaginal Ultrasounds Withheld From Non-Sexually Active Adults? An Online Survey of Current Practices and Opinions of Australasian Sonographers. Sonography, 12(3), 332-344.
DOI
2025 Yang, X., Deslandes, A., Cross, T., & Childs, J. (2025). Transvaginal Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Endometriosis: Current Practices and Barriers in Australian Sonographers.. Australasian Journal of Ultrasound Medicine, 28(2), e70003-1-e70003-11.
DOI
2024 Perry, R., Forshaw, A., Childs, J., Chester, D., & Edwards, C. (2024). Cultivating competency in cardiac sonography: aligning entrustable professional activities with industry expectations. Heart Lung and Circulation, 33(7), 1067-1073.
DOI
2024 Cormack, C. J., Childs, J., & Kent, F. (2024). Competencies required by sonographers teaching ultrasound interprofessionally: a Delphi consensus study. BMC Medical Education, 24(1, article no. 970), 1-9.
DOI Europe PMC2
2024 Hall, C., Pignata, S., Tie, M., Bezak, E., & Childs, J. (2024). Sonographer wellbeing in Australia: perceptions of job demands and resources in clinical working environments. Sonography, 11(3), 231-242.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4
2024 Smart, L., Cundy, W., Williams, N., Arnold, A., Childs, J., Pelentsov, L., & Esterman, A. (2024). Screening Accuracy for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip by Child Health Nurses. Children, 11(8), 915.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2023 Cormack, C., Childs, J., & Kent, F. (2023). Point-of-care ultrasound educational development in Australasia: a scoping review. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 49(6), 1375-1384.
DOI Europe PMC4
2023 Edwards, C., Perry, R., Chester, D., & Childs, J. (2023). Entrustable professional activities of graduate accredited general medical sonographers in Australia - industry perceptions. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 70(3), 299.
DOI Europe PMC1
2023 Deslandes, A., Parange, N., Childs, J. T., Osborne, B., Hull, M. L., Panuccio, C., . . . Bezak, E. (2023). What is the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound for endometriosis mapping prior to surgery when performed by a sonographer within an outpatient women's imaging centre?. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, 67(3), 267-276.
DOI Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC7
2023 Cohen, C., Pignata, S., Bezak, E., Tie, M., & Childs, J. (2023). Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce burnout for nurses, physicians and allied healthcare professionals: a systematic review. BMJ Open, 13(e071203), 1-23.
DOI Scopus237 WoS218 Europe PMC165
2023 Hill, K., Jaensch, A., Childs, J., & McDonald, S. (2023). Evaluation of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) training on arteriovenous access assessment and cannula placement for haemodialysis. Journal of Vascular Access, 25(6), 11297298231194100.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2023 Guscott, A., Deslandes, A., Parange, N., & Childs, J. (2023). Australasian sonographers' knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards the international evidence‐based guidelines for the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 26(1), 34-45.
DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
2022 Deslandes, A., Parange, N., Childs, J. T., Osborne, B., Panuccio, C., Croft, A., & Bezak, E. (2022). How long does a transvaginal ultrasound examination for endometriosis take in comparison to a routine transvaginal ultrasound examination?. Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 25(1), 20-27.
DOI Scopus11 Europe PMC8
2022 Smart, L., Pelentsov, L., Childs, J., Williams, N., & Esterman, A. (2022). Nurses assessment of development hip dysplasia: A scoping review. Journal of Child Health Care, online(1), 18 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2022 Childs, J., Mudge, L. A., Esterman, A., & Thompson, S. K. (2022). What Is the optimal time on a low-calorie diet prior to Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery? a prospective case-controlled study. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 26(11), 2249-2254.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2022 Childs, J., Thoirs, K., Quinton, A., Osborne, B., Edwards, C., Stoodley, P., . . . Halligan, T. (2022). Development of a professional competency framework for Australian sonographers - perspectives for developing competencies using a Delphi methodology. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 34(2), 7 pages.
DOI Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC3
2022 Edwards, C., Thoirs, K., Osborne, B., Slade, D., McDonald, S., Lombardo, P., . . . Childs, J. (2022). Australian sonographer competency—A new framework. Sonography, 9(3), 108-115.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12
2021 Cohen, C., Childs, J., & Maranna, S. (2021). Behind closed doors: Are sonographers coping? A nation-wide survey investigating the emotional well-being of sonographers working for private organisations within Australia. Sonography, 8(4), 144-154.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2021 Cohen, C., Childs, J., & Maranna, S. (2021). Behind closed doors: Are sonographers coping? A literature review of sonographer burnout. Sonography, 8(1), 3-11.
DOI Scopus16 WoS15
2021 Childs, J., Thoirs, K., Esterman, A., & Lamb, K. (2021). The diagnostic accuracy of using a predictive equation for liver volume derived from simple sonographic measurements in the determination of hepatomegaly. Sonography, 8(4), 162-167.
DOI
2021 Childs, J., Lamb, K., Osborne, B., Maranna, S., & Esterman, A. (2021). The initial impact of COVID-19 on Australasian Sonographers Part 1: changes in scan numbers and sonographer work hours. Sonography, 8(3), 90-99.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC5
2021 Hill, K., Xu, Q., Jaensch, A., Esterman, A., Le Leu, R., Childs, J., . . . Jesudason, S. (2021). "Outcomes of arteriovenous fistulae cannulation in the first 6 weeks of use: a retrospective multicenter observational study". Journal of Vascular Access, 22(5), 726-732.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC7
2021 Sharp, R., Carr, P., Childs, J., Scullion, A., Young, M., Flynn, T., . . . Esterman, A. (2021). Catheter to vein ratio and risk of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-associated thrombosis according to diagnostic group: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open, 11(7, article no. e045895), 1-10.
DOI Scopus42 WoS34 Europe PMC33
2021 Childs, J., Osborne, B., Lamb, K., Maranna, S., & Esterman, A. (2021). The initial impact of COVID-19 on Australasian sonographers part 3: Sonographer professional, personal, and social wellbeing. Sonography, 8(3), 109-115.
DOI Scopus3 WoS4 Europe PMC4
2021 Childs, J., Maranna, S., Osborne, B., Lamb, K., & Esterman, A. (2021). The initial impact of COVID-19 on Australasian sonographers part 2: Changes to sonographic examination protocols and access to personal protective equipment. Sonography, 8(3), 100-108.
DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC5
2020 Hill, K. E., Sharp, R., Childs, J., Esterman, A., Le Leu, R., Juneja, R., & Jesudason, S. (2020). Cannulation practices at haemodialysis initiation via an arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft. Journal of vascular access, 21(5), 573-581.
DOI Scopus8 WoS5 Europe PMC4
2020 Deslandes, A., Parange, N., Childs, J. T., Osborne, B., & Bezak, E. (2020). Current Status of Transvaginal Ultrasound Accuracy in the Diagnosis of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Before Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature.. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 39(8), 1477-1490.
DOI Scopus36 WoS30 Europe PMC21
2020 Carter, S., Hill, A. M., Yandell, C., Buckley, J. D., Tan, S. Y., Rogers, G. B., . . . Coates, A. M. (2020). Study protocol for a 9-month randomised controlled trial assessing the effects of almonds versus carbohydrate-rich snack foods on weight loss and weight maintenance. BMJ open, 10(7, article no. e036542), 1-17.
DOI Scopus8 WoS11 Europe PMC6
2020 Linehan, C., Childs, J., Quinton, A. E., & Aziz, A. (2020). Ultrasound parameters to identify and diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. A review of the literature. Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 23(3), 194-206.
DOI Europe PMC7
2020 Newton, K., Quinton, A., & Childs, J. (2020). The incidence of Australian private practice sonographers moving patients unassisted and their level of training: a pilot study. Sonography, 7(2), 48-54.
DOI
2019 Hennig, C., Childs, J., Aziz, A., & Quinton, A. (2019). The effect of increased maternal body habitus on image quality and ability to identify fetal anomalies at a routine 18-20-week morphology ultrasound scan: a narrative review. Sonography, 6(4), 191-202.
DOI
2019 Maric, J., Childs, J., & Esterman, A. (2019). Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of clinical practice guidelines in sonography. Sonography, 6(2), 65-79.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2019 Deslandes, A., Parange, N., Childs, J., Osborne, B., & Bezak, E. (2019). What is the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound in the assessment of deep infiltrating endometriosis when performed by a sonographer? A review of the current literature. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 45(S1), 87-88.
DOI
2018 Moderiano, M., McEvoy, M., Childs, J., & Esterman, A. (2018). Safety of ultrasound exposure: knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Australasian sonographers. Journal of diagnostic medical sonography, 34(5), 357-367.
DOI Scopus9 WoS6
2018 Sharp, R., Childs, J., Bulmer, A., & Esterman, A. (2018). The effect of oral hydration and localised heat on peripheral vein diameter and depth: a randomised controlled trial. Applied nursing research, 42, 83-88.
DOI Scopus17 WoS16 Europe PMC13
2018 Childs, J., & Lamb, K. (2018). The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a recently developed equation to determine liver volume using three simple two-dimensional ultrasound measurements. Sonography, 5(4), 141-147.
DOI Scopus2
2018 Thoirs, K. A., & Childs, J. (2018). Are ultrasound measurements of Achilles tendon size reliable? A systematic review of rater reliability. Ultrasound in medicine and biology, 44(12), 2476-2491.
DOI Europe PMC11
2017 Thoirs, K., Deed, K., & Childs, J. (2017). Transvaginal sonography: sonographer reflections on patient experience using a critical incident technique. Sonography, 4(2), 55-62.
DOI
2017 Moderiano, M., McEvoy, M., Childs, J., & Esterman, A. (2017). Safety of ultrasound exposure: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Australasian sonographers. Sonography, 4(3), 99-109.
DOI Scopus5
2016 Childs, J. T., Esterman, A. J., Thoirs, K. A., & Turner, R. C. (2016). Ultrasound in the assessment of hepatomegaly: a simple technique to determine an enlarged liver using reliable and valid measurements. Sonography, 3(2), 47-52.
DOI Scopus18
2015 Thoirs, K., Osborne, B., Childs, J. T., Parange, N., & Maranna, S. (2015). Skill development of beginner sonography students using high-fidelity simulators: Initial experiences. Sonography, 3(1), 5-11.
DOI Scopus4
2015 Sharp, R., Cummings, M., Childs, J., Fielder, A., Mikocka-Walus, A., Grech, C., & Esterman, A. (2015). Measurement of vein diameter for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion: an observational study. Journal of Infusion Nursing, 38(5), 351-357.
DOI Scopus30 WoS22 Europe PMC17
2015 Childs, J., Thoirs, K., & Esterman, A. (2015). The development of a practical and uncomplicated predictive equation to determine liver volume from simple linear ultrasound measurements of the liver. Radiography, 22(2), e125-e130.
DOI Scopus14 WoS10
2015 Childs, J. T., Thoirs, K. A., & Esterman, A. J. (2015). Computed tomography volume measurements of the liver using a liver segmentation and analysis package : an intra- and inter-rater reliability study. Journal of biomedical graphics and computing, 5(2), 17-22.
DOI
2014 Deed, K. M., Childs, J. T., & Thoirs, K. A. (2014). What are the perceptions of women towards transvaginal sonographic examinations?. Sonography, 1(2), 33-38.
DOI
2014 Childs, J., Esterman, A., Phillips, M., Thoirs, K., & Turner, R. (2014). Methods of determining the size of the adult liver using 2D ultrasound: A systematic review of articles reporting liver measurement techniques. Journal of diagnostic medical sonography, 30(6), 296-306.
DOI Scopus14 WoS11
2014 Childs, J. T., Esterman, A. J., & Thoirs, K. A. (2014). Ultrasound measurements of the liver: an intra and inter-rater reliability study. Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine, 17(3), 113-119.
DOI Scopus20 Europe PMC10
2013 Sharp, R., Gordon, A., Mikocka-Walus, A., Childs, J., Grech, C., Cummings, M., & Esterman, A. (2013). Vein measurement by peripherally inserted central catheter nurses using ultrasound: a reliability study. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access, 18(4), 234-238.
DOI Scopus11
2012 Childs, J. T., Phillips, M., & Thoirs, K. A. (2012). Impact of ancestry and body size on sonographic ulnar nerve dimensions. Radiography, 18(2), 100-104.
DOI

Year Citation
2024 Coates, A. M., Afzali, O., Childs, J., Carter, S., Lamb, K., Matheson, M., . . . Hill, A. M. (2024). Changes in liver health biomarkers following consumption of energy restricted diets containing almonds compared with carbohydrate-rich snack foods for 9 months. In PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY Vol. 83 (pp. 1 page). CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS.
DOI

  • The impact of COVID19 on Australasian Sonographers, Australasian Sonographers Association, 04/04/2023 - 30/06/2023

  • The impact of COVID-19 on the Australasian sonographic community., Australasian Sonographers Association, 30/06/2020 - 31/12/2021

  • What are the observable behaviours, knowledge, skills and attitudes that should be demonstrated by sonographers?, Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry, 01/11/2018 - 31/03/2020

  • The accuracy of a simple sonographic liver volume equation to determine hepatomegaly, Australasian Sonographers Association, 01/02/2018 - 31/05/2019

Courses I teach

  • RADY 5026 Clinical Sonography Portfolio (2025)
  • RADY 5030 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation (2025)
  • SCALH 90002 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation SC (2025)
  • RADY 5026 Clinical Sonography Portfolio (2024)
  • RADY 5030 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation (2024)
  • SCALH 90002 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation SC (2024)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2022 Principal Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Catherine Hall

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