Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE RAD4132

 
TITLE Clinical Imaging Practice 10: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

 
UM LEVEL 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 3

 
DEPARTMENT Radiography

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit is designed to allow radiography students to apply theoretical knowledge and skills gained in previous years as well as to help them develop competencies in scanning of patients undergoing an MRI examination.

The study-unit will include clinical demonstration and practical sessions to help guide students' practice and encourage the development of knowledge, skills and competences.

In particular, students will be expected to discuss principles and issues relating to MRI safety, MRI scanning technique, MRI quality assurance (QA), prioritisation of MR scan technique, image evaluation, communication and patient care within an MRI environment.

Students attend for 75 hours related to this study-unit during the academic year, out of which 60 hours are assigned within an MRI suite, where students are expected to practice under the supervision of a radiographer and 15 hours are allocated to student independent studies. The lecturing staff regularly meets the students for tutorials and gives each student feedback while ensuring the development of the required clinical competencies.

At the scheduled periods during the academic year a minimum of two members of staff conduct a formal clinical examination. The examination of each student lasts for a maximum of 3 hours which is then discussed at the examination board.

Study-Unit Aims:

The study-unit aims to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and competencies relating to performing MR examinations of a patient under minimal guidance of a qualified radiographer. Amongst others, this study-unit will seek to encourage:

- Knowledge of the standard operating procedures and policies and QA tests that need to be considered and adhered to when performing MRI examinations on patients;
- The application of MRI safety, selection of appropriate scan sequences and MRI principles into clinical practice;
- The development of skills and competencies required to perform various routine MRI examinations on patients in line with established protocols and procedures;
- Provide an overview of different MR appearance for routine patients clinical conditions;
- Use of correct anatomical terminology;
- Enable the students to understand the needs of the patient and adapt MRI technique to satisfy the different needs of these patient.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to continue to meet all learning outcomes from previous Clinical Imaging Practice study-units:

- Identify changes in MR signal intensities from anatomical structures related to different scan sequences;
- Identify and describe pathological features on resultant images;
- Explain the terminology used for different related clinical indications;
- Explain standard operating procedures and policies that need to be considered and adhered to when performing MRI examinations on patients;
- Describe MRI safety and MRI physics principles and how they can be applied to clinical practice on patients;
- Perform common MRI examinations, such as a brain or spine, on patients;
- Evaluate the images performed.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to reach competency by carrying out routine MRI examinations with minimal assistance by a qualified radiographer:

- Retrieving imaging requests on the Radiology Information System (RIS);
- Justify requests for MRI examinations based on the clinical indications;
- Prepare the imaging room, protocol, devices and accessories, as necessary and appropriate for the MRI examination and the patients' characteristics/ needs;
- Manage and prioritise requests based on the clinical indications considering the health and urgency of the cases;
- Welcome patients, seek and provide information in line with established MRI safety procedures in a clinical environment;
- Choose appropriate MR scan sequences to exclude or confirm the clinical indication and contraindications;
- Carry out common MRI examinations, such as a brain or spine, with minimal assistance from and while being supervised by a qualified radiographer;
- Select appropriate scan parameters and imaging accessories as required;
- Conduct the MRI examination with the minimum risk to patients;
- Critically evaluate the resultant images and identify areas for improvement;
- Recommend and carry out further MR sequences with minimal assistance from the supervising radiographer to better demonstrate findings from standard imaging;
- Effectively communicate the required information to the patient at the end of the examination;
- Deliver appropriate patient care depending on needs of the patient and the MRI examination.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Bushberg JT et al (2022) The essential physics of medical imaging. 3rd Ed. Lippincott
- Westbrook C (2014) Handbook of MRI technique.3rd Ed Wiley Blackwell
- Westbrook C et al (2022) MRI in Practice. 5th Ed Wiley Blackwell
- Westbrook C (2016) MRI at a Glance. 3rd Ed Wiley Blackwell

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Placement and Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Clinical Assessment (3 Hours) See note below Yes 100%
Note: Assessment due date will be notified by the Faculty/Institute/Centre/School.

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit