| CODE | MPH5019 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Medical Physics and Radiation Protection in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry (Major) 2 | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Medical Physics | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit focuses on preparing candidates to fulfill their role as CLINICAL MEDICAL PHYSICISTS in the effective, safe, efficient and optimised use of NON-IONISING radiation based imaging modalities, as potential MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY EXPERTS and as MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY OFFICERS in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry. The study unit includes all common NON-IONISING imaging modalities including MRI, DIFFUSION WEIGHTED MRI, fMRI, MR SPECTROSCOPY, MR ANGIOGRAPHY, MR TRACTOGRAPHY, B-MODE ULTRASOUND, COLOUR DOPPLER, SPECTRAL DOPPLER, POWER DOPPLER, ELASTOGRAPHY and their use throughout the healthcare system. Study-Unit Aims: The aims of this study-unit are: 1. To prepare candidates to fulfill their role as CLINICAL MEDICAL PHYSICISTS, potential MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY EXPERTS and MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY OFFICERS in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; 2. To prepare candidates to contribute to maintaining and improving the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of healthcare services through patient-oriented activities requiring expert action, involvement or advice regarding the specification, selection, acceptance testing, commissioning, quality assurance/control and optimized clinical use of NON-IONISING radiation based imaging devices and regarding patient risks from NON-IONISING radiations including protection from such radiations, installation design and surveillance, and the prevention of unintended or accidental exposures. The imaging modalities include MRI, DIFFUSION WEIGHTED MRI, fMRI, MR SPECTROSCOPY, MR ANGIOGRAPHY, MR TRACTOGRAPHY, B-MODE ULTRASOUND, COLOUR DOPPLER, SPECTRAL DOPPLER, POWER DOPPLER and ELASTOGRAPHY; 3. To discuss the use of such modalities throughout the healthcare system. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain in detail statutory and institutional requirements for CLINICAL MEDICAL PHYSICS SERVICES, potential MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY EXPERTS and MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY OFFICERS in the establishment and management of systems for effective use of NON-IONISING radiation based imaging devices and protection of patient/staff/public in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Interpret qualitatively and quantitatively anatomical and functional 2D/3D images from the various NON-IONISING radiation based imaging modalities and recognize specific anatomical, functional and pathological features to a level necessary to be able to contribute effectively to the work of the Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry team; - Describe the perspective of the patient and other healthcare professionals forming part of the Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry team; - Explain in detail and quantitatively the design and functioning of NON-IONISING radiation based imaging devices used in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry and the design variables which impact device performance indicators and clinical effectiveness; - Explain in detail and quantitatively methods for quality assurance/control of NON-IONISING radiation based imaging devices in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry, including methods for acceptance testing and commissioning; - Explain quantitatively and in detail NON-IONISING radiation 'dose' (e.g., SAR in MRI, MECHANICAL/THERMAL in ultrasound) vs bioeffect relationships for NON-IONISING radiation relevant to Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology; - Describe in detail and quantitatively the process and practical implementation of patient/occupational/public NON-IONISING radiation risk assessments, 'dose' optimization (including foetal 'dose') and 'dose' limitation in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Discuss in detail ethical issues related to the protection of patients, carers and comforters and research volunteers from NON-IONIZING radiation in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry research; - Apply European laws, regulations, recommendations, acceptance criteria and standards (including IEC standards where relevant) related to NON-IONISING radiation based imaging device performance and patient/occupational/ public protection in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Describe present and envisaged future developments of NON-IONISING radiation based imaging devices and protection from NON-IONISING radiation in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Explain pedagogical methods used for the training of other healthcare professionals in patient and personal protection in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; and - For each NON-IONISING radiation based imaging modality: a. explain quantitatively target image quality outcomes relevant to diagnostic effectiveness, b. explain quantitatively the physical properties of tissues which the device measures and images, including any variables impacting the value of these properties and associated tissue contrast, c. explain in detail image quality assessment criteria and the relationship with device performance indicators e.g., sharpness, noise, image contrast, d. predict the effect on image quality outcomes, diagnostic accuracy, patient and occupational risk when changing scanning and image reconstruction parameters, e. explain in detail the structure of acquisition protocols, pre-processing of image data, mathematics of image reconstruction methods and post-processing of images, f. explain the strengths and limitations of the imaging modality and impact on diagnostic efficacy, g. define patient/occupational/public protection related indicators/quantities suitable for ensuring adherence to safety limits and reference levels including methods for measurement or calculation, h. explain radiation protection methods and procedures, i. explain the physical basis of any contraindications in the use of the device and procedures for avoiding adverse events, j. explain the impact on performance indicators arising from device malfunction, inappropriate protocol and device misuse including any artefacts arising from these and local procedures for reporting such malfunctions, and k. apply quantitatively the theory of human image perception/observer performance. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Operate at a basic level selected NON-IONISING radiation based imaging devices used in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry as appropriate to the role of a CLINICAL MEDICAL PHYSICIST and potential MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY EXPERT; - Use selected methods for quality assurance/control of NON-IONISING radiation based imaging devices used in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry and prepare a plan for acceptance testing and commissioning; - Use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) standards and infrastructures applied in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Apply quantitatively and in a detailed manner the concepts of justification, optimization and 'dose' limitation with respect to patient / occupational-public protection from NON-IONISING radiations in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Use selected quantitative methods of patient and personal dosimetry and workplace/individual/environmental monitoring in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry and for the establishment of 'diagnostic reference levels' and 'dose' constraints; - Optimize quantitatively patient /occupational NON-IONISING radiation protection in high risk practices in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Design arrangements for prevention of accidents and incidents, preparedness and response in emergency exposure situations and disposal of any sources/waste in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Prepare technical specifications for medical device procurement and new installation design in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Dentistry; - Survey Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology installations with regard to patient/occupational/public protection from NON-IONISING radiation including the categorization of areas, classification of workers and barriers; and - For each NON-IONISING radiation based imaging modality: a. apply quantitative image processing techniques to increase the diagnostic value of images, b. identify possible causes of device malfunctioning, below target imaging quality and suggest appropriate action, and c. design protective barriers with regard to occupational/public safety. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Dendy P. P. & Heaton B. Physics for Diagnostic Radiology. Institute of Physics Publishing - Bushberg J. T., Seibert J. A., et al. The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging - Kalender W. A. Computed Tomography Publicis: Erlangen - Hedrick W. R, Hykes D. L & Starchman D. E. Ultrasound physics and instrumentation. Elsevier-Mosby - Martin C. J. and Sutton D. G. Practical Radiation Protection in Healthcare. OUP - McRobbie D. W., Moore E. A. & Graves M. J. MRI from Picture to Proton - Armstrong P., Wastie M. L. Diagnostic Imaging. Blackwell Science - IAEA. Clinical Training of Medical Physicists Specializing in Diagnostic Radiology - EU Directives regarding protection from ionising radiation and other physical agents - Emerald-Emit project: http://emerald2.eu/cd/Emerald2/ - Relevant EFOMP, IAEA, AAPM, IPEM, ICRU, ICRP, EU, UNSCEAR Documentation - Research articles from the literature. Supplementary Readings: - Knoll G. F. Radiation Detection and Measurement, Wiley - Del Guerra A. Ionizing Radiation Detectors for Medical Imaging. World Scientific - Burzug T. M. Computed Tomography: from photon statistics to modern cone-beam CT. Springer - Haacke E. M, Brown R. B., Thompson MR & Venkatesan R. Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Physical Principles and Sequence Design. Wiley - Elster A. D. & Burdette J. H. Questions and Answers in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Mosby. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Maria Busuttil Mona Lisa Camilleri Carmel J. Caruana (Co-ord.) Keith Schembri Nolan Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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