units

RAD5110

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

print version

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 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.

Monash University

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

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

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Mrs Lori Boyd

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2016 (Online)
  • Second semester 2016 (Online)

Synopsis

This unit builds upon existing knowledge radiographers have about modern multislice CT practice including dose reduction strategies and the need to tailor the CT protocol to the clinical indications. The unit will require students to use verified methodologies to implement a range of advanced CT protocols and post-processing approaches when dealing with patients who present for cerebral and neurological CT examinations. Students will critically examine the evidence informed body of knowledge about CT radiation dose, including CTDI, DLP and effective dose, and implement dose minimisation techniques/strategies in adult and paediatric cerebral and neurological CT examinations. The unit will address the issue of the widespread use of iodinated radiographic contrast media through an in-depth analysis of risks and benefits for the adult and paediatric patient presenting for CT. The unit will teach students best practice in relation to the production of high quality diagnostic multi-planar and 3D images from images from brain and body perfusion, and CTA through the competent use of advanced workstations. The unit will acknowledge the importance of clinical judgement and decision making within the context of image interpretation.

Outcomes

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

  1. Communicate an informed understanding of the principles of CT radiation dose, including CTDI, DLP and effective dose, and implement dose minimisation techniques/strategies in clinical CT practice;
  2. Critically apply knowledge of pharmacological principles of intravenous iodinated contrast media, including risk factors, contraindications to the use of intravenous iodinated contrast media in advanced CT practice, and the ongoing refinement of CT pre-examination patient questionnaires;
  3. Implement evidence based CT imaging protocols for acute neurological conditions, brain and body perfusion studies that take into account clinical indications, and the provision of high quality patient care within the broader framework of health services and inter-professional collaboration;
  4. Produce and evaluate high quality diagnostic multi-planar and 3D images from cerebral, neck, thoracic, abdominal, and extremity arteries CTA studies through the competent use of advanced workstations;
  5. Communicate the CT appearances of a range of common vascular disorders.

Assessment

2 x Secure online tests (60 minutes each) (15% each) (30%)
3 x Advanced CT radiography case studies (1,500 words each) (10% each) (30%)
Clinical portfolio (5,000 words) (40%)

Workload requirements

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Prerequisites