Undergraduate - UnitRAD3042 - Medical imaging science and practice 2

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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18 points, SCA Band 2, 0.375 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit	Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Matthew Dimmock and Ms Ruth Druva

Synopsis

This 3rd year Unit expands upon the knowledge, skills and judgment acquired in year's one and two of the Course through more in-depth study of five themes that are relevant to radiographic practice.

Theme 1: Sonographic Practice and Science
Sonographic anatomy and pathology of abdominal organs and related structures. Scanning techniques including Doppler ultrasound for the sonographic visualisation of abdominal organs and related structures. Ultrasound artefacts and the bio-effects and bio-hazards of diagnostic ultrasound.

Theme 2: Radiographic Practice
Ongoing development in general radiography examinations and professional communication to the level of competent practice. The application and impact of ethics, registration and legal principles to radiographic practice.

Theme 3: Breast Imaging
The scientific principles of breast imaging, instrumentation, positioning methods and radiation protection. Principles of breast ultrasound and localisation techniques.

Theme 4: Research and Dosimetric Techniques
Scientific principles of radiation dosimetry. Calculating the biological effects of ionising radiation. Applications of dosimetry in radiographic practice. Handling quantitative and qualitative data. Using statistical analyses to understand the relevance of data handling and research to radiographic practice.

Theme 5: MRI Practice
Contraindications for MRI, emergency situations and screening methods. MRI imaging sequences and methods for MRI examinations of the upper abdomen, pelvis and breast.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

Perform and evaluate correct patient preparation and sonographic imaging methods employed in examinations of the upper abdomen.
Identify and interpret normal structures, function and common pathological appearances of abdominal structures in ultrasound images.
Describe the function, application and potential pitfalls of ultrasound instrumentation used in abdominal ultrasound scanning.
Explain the role of the radiographer in respect to the safe application of MRI imaging techniques to patients presenting for examination of the upper abdomen, pelvis and breast.
Correlate the appropriate MRI imaging sequence with the clinical indications for the upper abdomen, pelvis and breast.
Apply advanced radiographic techniques and radiation protection strategies within an ethical and appropriate medio-legal framework in the clinical context.
Critically evaluate the biological effects of ultrasound and ionising radiation, radiosensitivity of specific organ systems and describe the relevant theories of radiation damage and repair mechanisms.
Collect data using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, perform basic statistical or thematic analyses and evaluate results in the context of radiographic practice including radiation dosimetry calculations.
Synthesize and apply information regarding the instrumentation, quality assurance techniques, relevant protocols and methods employed in breast imaging including medical ultrasound.

Fieldwork

Clinical placement: 4 weeks.

Assessment

Ultrasound written examination (120 minutes) (20%)
Mammography & dosimetry written examination (60 minutes) (15%)
MRI image analysis online examination (30 minutes) (10%)
MRI clinical case assignment delivered via the online iSAP program (integrating Science with Practice) (2,000 words) (10%)
Ultrasound skills assessment (20 minutes) (5%)
2 x Written data analysis reports (500 words each) (5% each) (10%)
Clinical learning portfolio (4,000 words) (20%)
Medico-legal professional journal (2,000 words) (10%)