| CODE | MPH5014 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Medical Physics and Radiation Protection for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Medical Physics | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit presents those aspects of Medical Physics and Radiation Protection underpinning the role of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists as required by the European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR) of the European Society of Radiology, the First Examination of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR, UK) and the recommendations of the EU funded Medical Radiation Protection Education & Training (MEDRAPET) project. In all presentations and discussions there will be an ongoing focus on the way that physical imaging parameters from the various medical imaging modalities impact the production of quality medical images and optimised imaging protocols and hence diagnostic accuracy. Concurrently, there will be a continuing emphasis on the establishment of a safety culture with respect to ionising and non-ionising radiations and other physical agents as required by the relevant EU, Maltese and UK legislation and recommendations. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to deliver the Medical Physics and Radiation Protection learning outcomes in the official curricula of the European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR) of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the First Examination of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR, UK). More specifically the learning outcomes of the study unit with respect to the EDiR are those to be found in the document 'European Training Curriculum Level I-II' and these will be updated on an ongoing manner to reflect any current changes in the latter document. To ensure an initial level playing field the unit will start with a revision of the Medical Physics and Radiation Protection learning outcomes to be found in the document ESR European Training Curriculum Undergraduate Level. In the case of the First Examination of the FRCR the learning outcomes will be those included in the curriculum of the First FRCR Examination found in the document 'Specialty Training Curriculum for Clinical Radiology' (section 'Scientific Basis of Imaging'). Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Describe the structure and properties of matter, the phenomena of radioactivity and magnetism, the nature of ionising radiation, radiofrequency radiation, optical imaging and ultrasound and how they interact with matter and the differences between ionizing and non-ionising radiation; 2. Distinguish and compare between different types of diagnostic medical image and understand how such images are created, reconstructed, processed, transmitted, stored and displayed; 3. Describe the construction and function of medical imaging equipment including the radiation, optical or ultrasound source, image-forming components and image or signal receptor and detectors used for QA and monitoring; 4. Indicate how imaging equipment is operated and describe the imaging techniques that are performed with such equipment; 5. Identify and compare the type of information contained in images from different modalities; 6. Distinguish between different indices of image quality, explain how they are inter-related and indicate how they are affected by changing the operating factors of imaging equipment; 7. Identify agents that are used to enhance image contrast and explain their action; 8. Explain how the performance of imaging equipment is measured and expressed; 9. Describe the principles of quality assurance and outline how quality control tests of imaging equipment are performed and interpreted; 10. Recognise artefacts in medical images and identify how they are removed or their impact is reduced; 11. Recognise the hazards and risks to patients, members of staff and members of the public associated with medical imaging and describe how their impact is reduced without compromising diagnostic image quality; 12. Identify the major pieces of EU, Maltese and UK legislation and guidance that affect the practice of medical imaging and interpret their requirements; 13. Describe the biological processes in disease that can be probed with functional and molecular imaging; 14. Understand the concepts relevant to improving patient related outcomes. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Apply the knowledge of Medical Physics to optimally select the best imaging modality to be used as required by the clinical question; 2. Apply the knowledge of Medical Physics to confirm that chosen exposure parameters would ensure the necessary level of image quality required by the clinical question; 3. Apply the knowledge of Medical Physics and Radiation Protection to optimise and avoid unnecessary patient dose and demonstrate associated ongoing ethical commitment; 4. Apply the knowledge of Radiation Protection to protect oneself, other members of staff and the general public from radiation; 5. Use the correct Medical Physics terminology to characterise exposure from ionising radiation hence contributing more effectively to the work of the multi-disciplinary imaging team; 6. Communicate the radiation risk to the patient at an understandable level; 7. Seek advice from Medical Physicists when a technical task is outside one’s scope of practice. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential Texts: - Sapprin M, Winder J. Scientific Basis of the Royal College of Radiologists Fellowship - Illustrated Questions and Answers. Institute of Physics books. - Ilyas S, Matys T et al Physics MCQs for the Part 1 FRCR. Cambridge University Press. Additional Texts: - Allisy-Roberts P., Williams JR. Farr's Physics for Medical Imaging. Elsevier. - Dendy PP and Heaton B. Physics for Diagnostic Radiology. Institute of Physics Publishing. - Kalender WA. Computed Tomography Publicis: Erlangen. - Hedrick WR, Hykes DL & Starchman DE. Ultrasound physics and instrumentation. Elsevier-Mosby. - McRobbie DW, Moore EA, Graves MJ. MRI from Picture to Proton. - Elster AD, Burdette JH. Questions and Answers in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Mosby. - Martin CJ and Sutton DG. Practical Radiation Protection in Healthcare. Oxford University Press. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite qualifications: M.D. Course and current enrollment in a post-graduate training programme in Clinical Radiology (written confirmation to be obtained from postgraduate training coordinator of such programme). Pre-Requisite Study-unit: SUR5500 |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial | ||||||||
| 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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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