| CODE | RAD5121 | |||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Advanced Breast Imaging Techniques | |||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | |||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | |||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit further expands the knowledge and skills obtained in RAD5119 Professional Practice in Mammography. The study-unit provides students with advanced imaging and assessment techniques related to the breast. The use of other imaging modalities, such as ultrasound (US), Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are discussed. This study-unit is also designed to further expand the knowledge of breast pathology. The role of breast interventional procedures is also analysed. The study-unit provides students with additional mammographic assessment techniques and other breast imaging modalities. This study-unit is also designed to further expand the knowledge of breast pathology. This study-unit will also develop the student's role as a mentor enabling educational support to junior colleagues. Individual tuition in advanced mammography techniques and other breast imaging modalities will be met in the clinical placement. Students are required to perform clinical placements in both screening and symptomatic breast clinics to achieve competency in advanced mammography techniques and other breast imaging modalities. Students will also undertake clinical placements to observe and report on the chain of care for women requiring the breast care service. Competence is assessed through observations and evaluation of images. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: - Facilitate the professional development of the student to enable him/her to gain the experience and expertise necessary to become an effective, competent, independent mammography practitioner within the multidisciplinary breast care team; - Provide the skills and knowledge to perform advanced mammographic assessment techniques, such as magnification, Digital breast tomosynthesis and spot compression views; - Be knowledgeable on the use of other breast imaging modalities, such as, Ultrasound (US), Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to enable the student to develop the competencies to practice in a range of environments to professional and national standard; - To appreciate the use of interventional procedures; - To perform imaging examinations in line with current safe procedures while complying with local legislation; - Apply evidence-based research to inform and review practice; - Develop and extend the students' knowledge of breast pathology necessary to contribute to the multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of breast disease; and - Provide the skills and knowledge necessary for the student to undertake the role of mentor and provide educational support for the junior members of staff. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Competently and safely perform advanced mammographic examinations undertaken for patients/clients with a range of different medical needs, to the standard necessary to optimise diagnostic accuracy; - Critically evaluate advanced mammographic technique and diagnostic quality images and make recommendations to improve practice; - Make informed critical judgments with regard to the operation of the breast imaging equipment used within assessment clinics; - Identify breast symptoms and correlate with pathology; - Review the outcome of the initial presentation of pathology to subsequently select the appropriate diagnostic pathway in order to exclude/confirm breast disease; - Competently perform advanced breast imaging techniques; - Discuss the role of other imaging modalities used to diagnose breast pathologies, such as, Ultrasound (US), Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); - Appraise the role of interventional procedures. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise and evaluate common breast pathology and the potential need for further breast imaging techniques; - Appraise the knowledge, understanding and communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated by different professionals delivering the service and where appropriate, compare and contrast these with their own ability to communicate effectively in the workplace with patients/clients and professional colleagues; - Provide and appraise the ongoing relationship with the workplace mentor (clinical supervisor). Integrate what has been learnt from the relationship and evaluate how to use these skills to mentor or supervise a colleague; - Perform advanced imaging examinations in accordance with published guidelines; - Apply radiation safety standards in practice; - Use evidence-based practice to perform imaging and review practice. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Andolina, V.F. & Lille, S.L. (2010). Mammographic Imaging - A Practical Guide (3rd Edition). Lippincott. - Cardenosa, G. (2017). Breast Imaging Companion (3rd Edition). Wolters Lippincott. - Hashimoto, B.E. (2008). Practical Digital Mammography. Thieme. - Heywang-Koebrunner, S., Schreer, I. & Barter, S. (2014). Diagnostic Breast Imaging (3rd Edition). Thieme. - Lee, L., Stickland, V., Wilson, A.R. & Evans, A. (2003). Fundamentals of Mammography (2nd Edition). Saunders. - Peart, O. (2018). Mammography and Breast Imaging (2nd Edition). Mc Graw-Hill. - Pisano, E., Yaffe, M.J. & Kuzmiak, C.M. (2003). Digital Mammography. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - Tabar, L. & Dean, P. (2012). Teaching Atlas of Mammography (4th Edition). Thieme. - Tucker, A.K. & Ng, Y.Y. (2001). Textbook of Mammography. Churchill Livingstone. Supplementary Readings: - Ehrlich, R.A. (2012). Patient Care in Radiography (8th Edition). Mosby. - Grainger, R.G. & Allison, D.C. (2014). Diagnostic Radiology - A Textbook of Medical Imaging (6h Edition). Churchill Livingstone Thieme. - Nice Guidelines national Institute for Health and Care Excellence accessed on https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance - National Guidelines on Screening https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/phc/nbs/Pages/Home.aspx - Basic Safety Standards for Ionising Radiation Regulations Legal Notice 210 of 2018 - http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=29154&l=1 - Ha R, Comstock CE & Morris EA (2017) Breast MRI Teaching Atlas. Springer. Sencha AN, Evseeva EV, Mogutov MS & Yury NP (2013) Breast Ultrasound. Springer. Bombardieri E, Bonadonna G & Gianni L (2008) Breast Cancer Nuclear Medicine in Diagnosis and Therapeutic Options. Springer. - Relevant journals |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study, Placement & Tutorial | |||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Judith Kelly Paul Bezzina Karen Borg Grima Gordon Caruana Dingli Claude Magri Danika Maria Marmara Deborah Mizzi Jessica Muscat 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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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