| CODE | RAD2208 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Urinary System: Imaging, Pathology, Radiotherapy and Oncology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 3 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The unit intends to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge to undertake imaging and radiotherapy treatment of the urinary tract. Imaging and treatment technique, image interpretation and modifications will also be covered. Topics include: Indications for imaging including: Radiography; Fluoroscopy; Computerised Tomography (CT); Ultrasound (US); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Medicine (NM) advanced/modified procedures, imaging considerations, patient considerations, terminology, accessory devices, medical devices used for advanced techniques, application and utilisation of protective devices, radiation protection, optimised and justified procedures and practices. Practical demonstrations will be used to develop the students critical thinking skills. The following topics will also be discussed: oncology and radiotherapy technique of the kidney and ureters, urinary bladder and urethra, as well as the care of the patient, prior, during and after treatment. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: - Provide a learning situation which will enable the student to become proficient at performing diagnostically acceptable images of procedures related to imaging of the urinary tract; - Foster good radiographic practice and ensure students are conversant with, and employ safe working practices, particularly with regard to radiation safety; - Ensure an understanding of the reasons for the imaging procedure and examinations required to demonstrate the urinary tract; - Equip students to be able to recognise pathologies and disease processes; - Encourage students to keep up to date with current developments in medical imaging and radiotherapy; - Enable students to understand the needs of the patient and the respect and care to be given in different circumstances; - Help students understand the role of imaging modalities; - Enable students to demonstrate an understanding of common used external beam radiotherapy techniques of the urinary system; - Help students evaluate management options and care of patients with such malignancies; - Enable students to demonstrate an awareness of the more complex external beam radiotherapy techniques and concepts; - Facilitate reflection on the factors that should be considered in choosing various treatment options for adult patients; and - Help students discuss and evaluate advances in oncology and radiotherapy practice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the role of the radiographer in the overall care of the patient presenting with a pathology/condition related to the urinary tract; - Provide justification of the imaging request based on patient presentation and clinical indications for imaging of the urinary tract; - Explain technical, patient and pathological factors influencing preparation and choice of technique for specific imaging procedures of the urinary tract; - Apply knowledge of imaging systems and radiation protection principles to ensure optimisation of dose and image quality; - Discuss how to adapt and optimise the imaging technique for different types of patients, pathologies/conditions and/or circumstances; - Describe how to correctly undertake imaging examinations of the urinary tract giving due consideration to: patient preparation, room preparation, selection of appropriate protocols and exposure factors, positioning of patient and image receptor, direction and centering of the x-ray beam and the application of radiation safety measures; - Explain how the patient must be treated with respect and care appropriate to their physical and psychological needs, before, during and after performing the imaging or radiotherapy procedure; - Identify and describe, using the correct anatomical terminology, the structure and orientation of bones, joints and other relevant anatomical structures; - Discuss the evaluation criteria of the image produced; - Reflect and discuss the potential impact the image quality may have on the patient’s management and care; - Describe the oncology for the urinary system; and - Describe the appropriate radiotherapy technique for the above anatomical systems. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Discuss and explain the procedures to produce diagnostic images of the urinary tract (under supervision) while providing for the physical and psychological needs of the patient; - Justify requests related to imaging or radiotherapy request; - Decide on the imaging projections to be performed in accordance with the imaging request, clinical history, clinical indications and patient presentation; - Perform correct identification check and pregnancy check (if applicable) of the patient and other checks prior to performing imaging examination; - Care and communicate effectively with the patient before, during and after the x-ray examination of the urinary tract; - Practice and apply correct positioning techniques for the patient, giving due consideration to the relationship between the patient and image receptor and the use of immobilisation devices; - Identify and make use of the most appropriate centring and direction of the x-ray beam; - Practice application of radiation safety measures to ensure optimisation of dose and image quality; - Adapt and optimise radiographic techniques to the needs of the individual patient; - Optimise exposure factors and other parameters to produce the optimum visualisation of the urinary tract with the least radiation dose possible; - Evaluate images and discuss the criteria for a good diagnostic image, especially in terms of: confirming patient identification and use of correct markers/legends; explaining contrast, density and sharpness of the resultant image; - Identify radiographic anatomy and explain the radiographic appearance of all relevant bony and soft tissue structures, positioning errors and artifacts; - Evaluate radiographic image and identify any pathologies/conditions that are present; - Identify pathologies of the urinary tract and assess the need for further radiographic projections based on these pathologies; - Critically evaluate the radiographic image of the urinary tract and decide on the need for any repeat or further projections that will aid in the management and care of the patient; - Analyse and solve problems that arise when performing an x-ray of the urinary tract using appropriate guidelines and research evidence; - Describe the clinical features and evaluate various management methods for malignant disease of the urinary system; - Anticipate and facilitate coping mechanisms for the possible physical/psychological effects on the patient of the disease and side effects of the various treatment methods in order to offer the highest standards of care in both physical and psychological respects at all stages of the radiotherapy process; and - Evaluate the radiotherapy techniques used to treat cancers of the urinary system. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Faithfull, S. & Wells, M. (editors) (2003) Supportive Care in Radiotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. - Hanna L., Crosby T. & Macbeth. F. (editors) (2008) Practical Clinical Oncology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Hoskin, P. (editor) (2006) Radiotherapy in Practice: External Beam Radiotherapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Martini, F.H., Bartholomew, E.F. & Welch, K. (2000) The Human Body in Health and Disease. London: Prentice Hall. - Neal, A.J. & Hoskin, P.J. (2009) Clinical Oncology. Basic Principles and Practice. (4th edition). London: Hodder Arnold. - Price, P., Sikora, K. & Illidge, T. (editors) (2014) Treatment of Cancer. (6th edition). London: Chapman & Hall Medical. - Royal College of Physicians (2007) The Effects of Cancer Treatment on Reproductive Functions. Guidance on Management. London. - Symonds, P. et al (editors) (2012) Walter and Miller’s Textbook of Radiotherapy. (7th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. - Tobias, J. & Hochhauser, D. (2014) cancer and its Management. (7th edition) Oxford University Press. - Thibodeau, G. & Patton, K. (2007) Anatomy and Physiology. (6th edition – European edition) Missouri: Mosby Elsevier. - Watson, M., Barrett, A., Spence, R. & Twelves, C. (2006) Oncology. (2nd edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Supplementary Texts: - Barrett, A., Dobbs, J., Morris, S.L. & Roques, T. (2009) Practical Radiotherapy Planning. (4th edition). London: Hodder Arnold; - Ellis, H., Logan, B.M. & Dixon, A.K. (2009) Human Sectional Anatomy: Pocket Book of Body Sections, CT and MRI Images. (3rd edition). London: Hodder Arnold; - Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (2006) Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. (10th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; - Wittekind, C., Greene, F.L., Hutter, R.P.V., Klimpfinger, M. & Sobin, L.H. (2014) TNM Atlas. (6th edition). Berlin: Springer. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Bezzina Karen Borg Grima Marvin Grech Susan Mercieca (Co-ord.) Victor Micallef Natalino Carmelo Pennisi Lara Maria Sammut Francis Zarb |
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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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