| CODE | RAD4131 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Clinical Imaging Practice 9: Ultrasound Imaging (US) and Bone Density (BD) | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound has taken a forefront role in the medical management of pregnant women and to evaluate problems relating to the female pelvic organs. Despite recent technological advances and development in this imaging modality, a persistent key aspect of ultrasound is its relatively high operator dependence. Diagnostic accuracy relies not only on the type of equipment used, but also on the skills and expertise acquired by the ultrasound practitioner. Consequently, dedicated education and practical training in both scanning techniques, as well as interpretation of results are key to achieving maximum clinical benefit in a healthcare setting. At undergraduate level, students are expected to fulfill the following learning outcomes upon completion of their ob/gyn clinical placements. This study-unit is also designed to encourage 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 bone density examinations. 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 the appropriate patient preparation prior to bone density examinations, focusing especially on the required patient care and patient communication needed to ensure a diagnostic result. The routine scanning techniques used in bone densitometry will also be covered. Students will be allocated 100 hours related to this study-unit, during the academic year, with 40 hours of clinical placements assigned within each of the ultrasound and bone density units respectively, where students are expected to practice under the supervision of a radiographer, and 20 hours allocated to student independent studies. The lecturing staff will regularly meet the students for tutorials and in order to provide feedback while ensuring the development of the required clinical competencies. Assessment of the learning outcomes will be through ultrasound and bone density clinical competency assessment. Study-Unit Aims: The study-units aims to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and competencies relating to performing routine obstetric and gynaecological Ultrasound and Bone density examinations of patients, under the minimal guidance of a qualified radiographer. Amongst others, this study-unit will seek to enable the students: - To familiarise themselves with Ultrasound and bone density imaging devices and to be knowledgeable of their applications in clinical practice; - Practice safely by implementing radiation protection rules and regulations bone density; - Practice safely by in Ultrasound; - To fully integrate theory and practice skills in pursuit of continued competence in routine obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound and bone density procedures. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Appraise the clinical indications and justification for a pelvic ultrasound scan, including first, second and third trimester antenatal scans; - Justify the clinical applications, of the two main types of ultrasound procedures that are typically performed (transabdominal/ transvaginal techniques), together with the preparation required for each procedure; - Discuss basic physics principles of the ultrasound equipment used, including the types of probes, their main use, and their associated frequencies; - Discuss the prudent use of ultrasound and its potential bio-effects; - Appraise the clinical indications and justification of bone density examinations; - Appraise bone density imaging techniques for routinely performed procedures; - Recognise pattern recognition and image assessment of pathologies observed in bone. density examinations according to the protocol selected; - Apply correct radiation safety practices to routine bone density scanning procedures; - Discuss basic physics principles of the bone densitometry equipment used. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Communicate with and provide patient care to patients undergoing routine and emergency ultrasound and bone density examinations; - Closely follow the ultrasound practitioner’s techniques, together with visualisation and recognition of normal anatomy on the ultrasound monitor; - Demonstrate an understanding of ultrasound image acquisition, basic measurements which are routinely taken, as well as the use of markers and annotations on saved images; - Communicate with the patient effectively and provide clear instructions following ultrasound and bone density examinations; - Understand a ultrasound and bone density diagnostic report and its format, including findings, conclusions and recommendations; - Store and transfer ultrasound and bone density images to PACS; - Implement effectively protocols and imaging procedures for routine bone density examinations; - Critically evaluate the resultant images obtained with bone densitometry in order to identify areas for improvement. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Guglielmi, G. (2013), Osteoporosis and bone densitometry measurements. Springer, USA. - Bonnick, S., & Lewis, L. (2013), Bone densitometry for technologists. New York: Springer. - Bonnick, S. (2003), Bone Densitometry in Clinical Practice : Application and Interpretation, 2nd Edition, Humana Press Inc, USA. - Penny, S.M. & Fox, T.B. (2018), Examination Review for Ultrasound: Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation, 2nd edition, Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health. - Ola-Ojo, O.O (2019), Ultrasound Services in an Early Pregnancy and Acute Gynaecological Unit Book 2, Protokos Publishers, London. - Penny, S.M. (2018), Examination Review for Ultrasound: Abdomen & Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health. |
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| 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 Independent Study | ||||||||||||||||
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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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