Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE RAD2204

 
TITLE Clinical Imaging Practice 2 (Upper and Lower Extremity)

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 7

 
DEPARTMENT Radiography

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit presents radiography students with the application of theoretical radiography principles in practice, with specific focus on the imaging of upper and lower limb extremities.

The study-unit is made up of clinical placements, demonstration and tutorial sessions. The main theoretical principles underpinning radiation physics, radiation safety, patient care and radiography practice will be discussed and applied in practice.

Students will be expected to attend a minimum of 175 hours of clinical placement as part of this study-unit. During such clinical placements, which are assigned in consultation with clinical centres, students are expected to practice under the supervision of a qualified radiographer. Clinical demonstrations and tutorials will be scheduled throughout the placement so as to facilitate students' development of the required Level 2 knowledge, skills and competencies pertaining to radiography of the upper and lower extremities.

Academic members of staff and clinical tutors/mentors will regularly meet the students to evaluate their development and provide feedback throughout the clinical placement. The method of assessment will comprise of competencies assessment and clinical examinations relating to radiography of the upper and lower limb.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-units aims to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and competencies (level 2) relating to performing radiographic examinations of the upper and lower limb, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified radiographer.

Amongst others, this study-unit will seek to encourage:
- Familiarity of the standard operating procedures and policies that need to be considered and adhered to when performing upper and lower limb radiographic examinations on patients;
- The application of radiation safety and radiation physics principles into clinical radiography practice;
- Students to develop the skills and competencies required to perform various upper and lower limb radiography examinations in line with established protocols and procedures; and
- Consideration to best practice standards/recommendations so as to ensure optimal patient and staff safety as well as enhanced patient-centered care.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Explain standard operating procedures and policies that need to be considered and adhered to when performing upper and lower limb radiography examinations;
- Describe radiation safety and radiation physics principles and how they can be applied to upper and lower limb radiography practice;
- Perform radiographic examinations of the upper and lower limbs;
- Evaluate the images performed;
- Identify anatomical structures related to the upper and lower limbs; and
- Identify and describe pathological features on resultant images.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Reach competency level 2 by carrying out radiographic procedures while being supervised by a qualified radiographer; such as:
- Retrieving upper and lower limb imaging requests on the Radiology Information System (RIS);
- Evaluating and determining the validity and justification of upper and lower limb imaging requests based on the clinical information provided;
- Choose appropriate radiography projections to exclude or confirm the clinical question/s being asked;
- Prepare the imaging room, protocol, devices and accessories, as necessary and appropriate for the radiography examination and the patients' characteristics/ needs;
- Welcome patients, seek and provide adequate information in line with established procedures;
- Perform upper and lower limb radiography examinations and conduct radiation exposures in accordance with ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, under the continuous guidance and supervision of a qualified radiographer;
- Critically evaluate the resultant images on PACS so as to reflect upon and identify areas for improvement;
- Recommend and carry out further projections after discussions with the supervising radiographer to better demonstrate findings from standard projections;
- Effectively communicate the required information to the patient before, during and at the end of the radiographic examination; and
- Practice appropriate patient care depending on needs of the patient and the radiographic examination.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Carlton, R & Adler A, (2012), Principles of Radiographic Imaging: An Art and a Science, Delmar Publication.
- Ehrlich, RA & Coakes, DM (2018) Patient Care in Radiography: With an Introduction to Medical Imaging, MosbyGrant, NA & Griffen, L (2018) Grainger & Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology Essentials Churchill Livingstone.
- Eisenberg, RL & Johnson NM (2015) Comprehensive Radiographic Pathology, Mosby.
- Kowalczyk, N (2017) Radiographic Pathology for Technologists, (7th Ed.) Mosby.
- Lampignano J & Kendrick LE (2017) Bontrager's Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy (9th ed.), Mosby.
- Long, BW, Rollins, JH & Smith, BJ (2015) Merrill’s Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures, Mosby.
- Mayer-Baese, A & Schmid, V (2014) Pattern Recognition and Signal Analysis in Medical Imaging, Academic Press.
- McQuillen Martensen, K. (2019). Radiographic Image Analysis,(5th Ed.). Elsevier.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Please note that a pass in each assessment component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Placement and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Competencies 1 (See Add. Notes) See note below Yes 15%
Competencies 2 (See Add. Notes) See note below Yes 15%
Clinical Assessment 1 (See Add. Notes) See note below Yes 35%
Clinical Assessment 2 (See Add. Notes) See note below Yes 35%
Note: Assessment due date will be notified by the Faculty/Institute/Centre/School.

 
LECTURER/S Karen Borg Grima (Co-ord.)

 

 
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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