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PAM3014 Placement for Health Science

2007-2008

Code: PAM3014
Title: Placement for Health Science
Instructors: Ms C.J. Heales and Hospital Staff
CATS credits: 35
ECTS credits: 17.5
Availability: HSMI only
Level: 3
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: Clinical Imaging 2 (PAM2003), Clinical Imaging 3 (PAM2004) and Practice Placement 2 (PAM2006)
Duration: Aug-Dec (15 wks) and May-Jun (7 wks)
Directed Study Time: 670 hours (placement learning)
Private Study Time: -
Assessment Tasks Time: 24 hours
Observation report: N/A

Aims

During this third, and final, placement students will become an integral member of the multi-professional healthcare team: with experience of dealing with a full range of patients using a wide range of modalities. They will have responsibility for organising their working day and liaising with staff in other departments, and will gain experience of managing an inter-professional team.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

  • perform routine, and advanced, imaging and manual handling procedures in a safe and efficient manner;
  • demonstrate skill in radiographic positioning and image acquisition;
  • assess and interpret images, and anticipate potential image-quality problems arising from special circumstances and implement corrective action;
  • care for, and communicate with, patients appropriately;
  • describe and implement radiation protection measures, including instrument calibration and quality control;
  • discuss the effective dose equivalent associated with different imaging procedures and relate to risk/benefit judgements;
  • practice, and be able to explain the principles of, appropriate infection control;
  • identify and discuss applicable legal and ethical issues;
  • undertake radiographs and CT scans including supplementary views based on departmental protocols;
  • demonstrate the ability to modify radiographic technique as appropriate to the situation
  • deal with patients in difficult circumstances and undertake complex imaging procedures;
  • explain and apply the principles of exposure selection, image processing, viewing, image evaluation;
  • compare and contrast, for several imaging modalities, normal and normal-variant radiographic and cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, and pathology;
  • operate effectively as part of an inter-professional healthcare team;

Discipline Specific Skills

  • reflect on clinical experience, identify personal strengths and learning needs;
  • maintain an accurate and up-to-date log book of radiographic examinations undertaken;
  • synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and practice;

Personal and Key Skills

Learning and Teaching Methods

Demonstration and experience gained under supervision by clinical staff; tutorials and seminars directed by clinical and academic staff. Directed self-study.

Assignments

Two 1000-word case studies.

Assessment

Note: To receive a non-zero mark for this module, students must comply with the attendance requirements specified in the School's Code of Practice for Clinical Placements.

Completion of personal and professional portfolio and two 1000-word case studies (2×25%); Four clinical assessments - CT head, multiple area, half-day room management session, theatre case - (4×10%); 15 minute viva voce (10%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

Refer to the School Handbook section Radiography Placement Documents and Forms for detailed aims and objectives for each placement area. The time spent on each placement area is shown in square brackets.

  1. General and / or A&E Room [5-7 weeks]
    1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
    2. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
    3. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology and participate in red-dot schemes where appropriate
    4. Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.
    5. Perform radiographs on a full range of patient types, including paediatrics, elderly, infirm and trauma patients.
    6. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
  2. Fluoroscopy Room [2 weeks]
    1. Use of barium as a contrast agent.
    2. Standard positioning and departmental protocols for barium studies.
    3. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
    4. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
    5. Identify the need for additional views.
    6. Develop involvement, increasing your role as a student radiographer
    7. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
  3. Mobiles and Theatres [2 weeks]
    1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
    2. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
    3. Identification of normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
    4. Radiation protection in wards and in theatre.
    5. The principles of a sterile environment.
    6. Develop your role so you are leading the interaction with ward- and theatre-staff and the imaging of the patient
    7. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
  4. Interventional Room [1 week]
    1. Observe a range of interventional procedures, including cardiac, neurological and angiographic examinations and procedures
    2. Use of contrast media
    3. Participate as a member of the inter-professional team.
    4. Identification of normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
    5. Identification of interventional treatment techniques
    6. Radiation protection in a high-dose environment
    7. The principles of a sterile environment and infection control.
    8. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
  5. Computed Tomography [2 weeks]
    1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
    2. Use of contrast media
    3. Image processing and manipulation
    4. Identify normal, normal-variant cross-sectional anatomy and pathology.
    5. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
  6. Positron Emission Tomography [1-3 days, where possible]
    1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols;
    2. Use of different positron emitters and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging
    3. Image processing and manipulation Identify normal, normal-variant planar and cross-sectional anatomy, physiology and pathology.
    4. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
    5. Awareness of different radiation protection issues associated with the use of positron emitters
  7. DXA [1 day]
    1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols for the measurement of bone density
    2. Image processing and manipulation
    3. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
    4. Identify artefacts affecting image processing and methods of rectification
    5. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
    6. Awareness of the diagnosis criteria for osteoporosis and the impact of osteoporosis on the workload in an imaging department.
  8. Mammography [1 day, where possible]
    1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
    2. Assessment of mammograms, modification of exposure factors and technique.
    3. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
    4. Identify the need for additional views.
    5. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
  9. Options - maximum 2 weeks from:
    1. Ultrasound [1 week]
      1. Standard departmental protocols scanning protocols and techniques for obstetric and non-obstetric ultrasound.
      2. Use of ultrasound equipment to perform measurements of anatomy and pathologies
      3. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
      4. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to patient care and communication.
    2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging [1 week]
      1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
      2. Use of contrast media
      3. Image processing and manipulation
      4. Identify normal, normal-variant cross-sectional anatomy and pathology.
      5. Particular attention to the safety issues associated with the use of strong magnetic fields for imaging
      6. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to patient care and communication.
    3. Nuclear Medicine [1 week]
      1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols for a range of planar and cross-sectional imaging.
      2. Use of different isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging
      3. Image processing and manipulation
      4. Identify normal, normal-variant planar and cross-sectional anatomy, physiology and pathology.
      5. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
      6. Awareness of different radiation protection issues associated with open sources of radiation
  10. Out of Hours Shifts
    1. Gain experience in out of hours work by working two nights and five late shifts.
    2. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
    3. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
    4. Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.
    5. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology and participate in red-dot schemes where appropriate.
    6. Perform radiographs on a full range of patient types, including paediatrics, elderly, infirm and trauma patients.
    7. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
  11. Elective [7 weeks, split between up to three parts]
    Refer to the Medical Imaging Elective Regulations and Information for Host Departments for further details.
    1. Work that has be planned to broaden the student's knowledge and experience in areas that will enhance their future employability.

Core Text

Not applicable

Supplementary Text(s)

Not applicable

Formative Mechanisms

Placement learning is supported by tutorials. A students progress is monitored on a weekly basis by their mentors. Students with specific problems should first approach a mentor, and if the problem is not resolved, their tutor.

Evaluation Mechanisms

The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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