RAD1061 - Radiographic science and practice 1 - 2018

This unit delivers the initial scientific, professional and clinical radiographic knowledge that will be foundational in subsequent Radiographic Science and Practice units as the student progresses along the Novice to Expert continuum of development. The unit introduces the student to the requisite knowledge required to perform radiographic examinations of the limbs and chest and the fundamentals of professional practice to include the behavioural sciences, communication and legally and ethically correct working practices. Clinical exposure to patients under supervision will enable the student to apply these principles across the range of examinations indicated.

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

1. Describe and apply within a professional standards and ethics context theories of the psychosocial impact on human behaviour, communication and occupational health and safety of the working environment;
2. Record and obtain information from individuals employing appropriate observation and interviewing skills, such that the information generated may be integrated with basic scientific theory and knowledge to provide quality levels of patient care;
3. Recognise and adapt, in a professional manner, to the variety of social, cultural and ethical perspectives that may legitimately be encountered within clinical practice;
4. Describe and justify the radiographic projections, body positions and the radiographic exposure factors underpinning general radiographic examinations of the elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, fingers and thumb, knee, tibia and fibula, ankle, calcaneum, foot, toes and chest of an adult ambulant patient;
5. Evaluate the radiographic request form, obtain a clinical history from a patient, select appropriate radiographic protocols consisting of radiographic projections positioning techniques and exposure factors to produce high quality projection(s) that will aid the diagnostic process;
6. Evaluate radiographs in terms of technical quality and positioning criteria and where necessary devise appropriate problem-solving strategies for less than optimal radiographic projections;
7. Distinguish anatomical features on radiographic images and recognise common radiologic pathologies or traumatic appearances in terms of the clinical question being asked;
8. In the light of the clinical problem, assess the appropriateness of supplementary projections, and where required position the patient for the required further images;
9. Under supervision safely conduct radiographic examinations of the elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, fingers and thumb, knee, tibia and fibula, ankle, calcaneum, foot, toes and chest of an adult ambulant patient;
10. Position an adult patient, accounting for his/her clinical presentation, for the radiographic projections identified in the protocol, direct and align the central ray to an appropriate bony landmark and image receptor.

Clinical Placement: Two (2) weeks (80 hours)

• Written exam (3 hours) (50%)
• Objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) (40 mins) (10%)
• 2 x Radiographic image evaluation and methods tests (30 mins each) (15%)
• Radiographic image critique case report (750 words) (5%)
• Clinical learning portfolio (20%)

Hurdle:

• Written assignment (750 words)
• Pre-tutorial online tests (80 minutes total)

All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit.

3 x one hour lectures, 2 x one hour tutorials, 1 x two hour laboratory practical session, 3 hours clinical practice per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Radiography and medical imaging

Radiation science