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University of Exeter Medical School

Practical Placement 2

Module titlePractical Placement 2
Module codePAM2006
Academic year2021/2
Credits30
Module staff

Mrs Jenny Shepherd (Convenor)

Dr Robert Meertens (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

0

15

0

Number students taking module (anticipated)

64

Module description

Building on PAM1007 Practice Placement 1, this module provides further practical experience of the safe and effective practice of general and fluoroscopic imaging. It introduces you to interventional radiography and other imaging modalities. You will develop your patient-care skills and learn to handle more complex situations. You will develop your role within the imaging department and learn to identify 'professional' and 'management' issues and understand how these are inter-related within the inter-professional context.

The University defines academic credit in terms of workload, with one credit being equal to a notional 10 hours of learning. However, due to the amount of time required for a clinical placement, and the fact that the placement necessarily runs outside of standard university terms, this approach cannot be followed for placement modules in radiography. Therefore the hours given are a closer reflection of the amount of time spent on placement, although they should still be considered indicative.

 

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will equip you with increasingly complex radiographic skills to enable you to undertake examinations on patients who have complex needs or require adaptation of techniques.  You will also gain practical experience in computed tomography, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.  Through successful completion of this module, you will gain an appreciation and understanding of the needs of patients along with legal, professional and ethical aspects of radiographic practice.  You will gain an understanding of the relative roles of all common modalities within the field of medical imaging.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. perform selected imaging, and manual handling, procedures in a safe and efficient manner;
  • 2. demonstrate competence in radiographic positioning and image acquisition, including modification of technique;
  • 3. assess and interpret images, and identify images of sub-standard diagnostic quality and take corrective action and identify when additional views are required;
  • 4. care for, and communicate with, patients appropriately;
  • 5. describe and implement radiation protection measures;
  • 6. practice, and be able to explain the principles of, appropriate infection control;
  • 7. identify and discuss applicable legal and ethical issues;
  • 8. undertake radiographs including supplementary views based on departmental protocols;
  • 9. deal with non-ambulant patient situations and complex imaging procedures;
  • 10. describe and apply the principles of exposure selection, image processing, viewing, image evaluation;
  • 11. recognise and describe, for several imaging modalities, normal and normal-variant radiographic and cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, and pathology;
  • 12. recognise and describe, for several imaging modalities, the relative merits of each modality in terms of availability and aiding the differential diagnosis;
  • 13. work effectively in the inter-professional healthcare environment;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

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

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 17. contribute positively to the placement department;
  • 18. comply with the Code of Practice for Clinical Placements;
  • 19. participate actively in clinical tutorials whilst on placement;
  • 20. continue development of personal and professional portfolio.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

Refer to the Handbook section http://uemsvle.exeter.ac.uk/ext/mihb/index.php for detailed aims and objectives for each placement area. The time spent on each placement area is shown in square brackets.

Pre-clinical Preparation 

Codes of Conduct.

Introduction to clinical placement documentation.

General (Including Dental) and/or A & E Room [3 weeks] 

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.

Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology and participate in red-dot schemes where appropriate.

Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.

Perform radiographs on a full range of patient types, including paediatrics, elderly, infirm and trauma patients.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Out of Hours Work [5 Shifts]

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.

Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.

Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology and participate in red-dot schemes where appropriate.

Perform radiographs on a full range of patient types, including paediatrics, elderly, infirm and trauma patients.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Mobiles and Theatres [3 weeks] 

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.

Identification of normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.

Radiation protection in wards and in theatre.

The principles of a sterile environment.

Develop role towards leading the interaction with ward- and theatre-staff and the imaging of the patient.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Fluoroscopy Room and/or interventional Room [1.5 weeks]  

Use of contrast media.

Standard positioning and departmental protocols for fluoroscopic studies.

Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.

Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.

Identify the need for additional views.

Observe a range of interventional procedures, including cardiac, neurological and angiographic examinations and procedures.

Participate as a member of the inter-professional team.

Identification of interventional treatment techniques.

Radiation protection in a high-dose environment.

The principles of a sterile environment and infection control.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Computed Tomography [2 weeks] 

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Use of contrast media.

Image processing and manipulation.

Identify normal, normal-variant cross-sectional anatomy and pathology.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Modality: (MRI/Nuc Med/Ultrasound) [0.5 week] 

Ultrasound: Standard departmental protocols scanning protocols and techniques for obstetric and non-obstetric ultrasound.

Use of ultrasound equipment to perform measurements of anatomy and pathologies.

Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to patient care and communication.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Use of contrast media.

Image processing and manipulation.

Identify normal, normal-variant cross-sectional anatomy and pathology

Particular attention to the safety issues associated with the use of strong magnetic fields for imaging.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to patient care and communication.

Nuclear Medicine 

Standard positioning and departmental protocols for a range of planar and cross-sectional imaging.

Use of different isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging.

Image processing and manipulation.

Identify normal, normal-variant planar and cross-sectional anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Awareness of different radiation protection issues associated with open sources of radiation.

Evidence Based Practice [1 week]

Gain experience or research, audit and/or quality assurance activities within the Radiology department and/or wider Trust.

Gain experience collecting data and presenting results of evidence based practice activities.

Identify instances where research skills are used to improve practice.

Identify systems and processes that facilitate research, audit and quality assurance activities within the Radiology department.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
172830

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities1Pre-clinical Preparation
Guided independent study223Placement learning
Scheduled learning and teaching activities1 Tutorial support prior to placement
Scheduled learning and teaching activities14 Tutorial support on placement
Guided independent study36Reading week
Guided independent study24Case-based report
Scheduled learning and teaching activities1Tutorial support post placement

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
25075

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Coursework251000 words1-16Written
Clinical - modified examination*101 hour1-13Written and verbal
Clinical - CT head with contrast agent*101 hour1-13Written and verbal
Clinical - mobile chest x-ray*101 hour1-13Written and verbal
Image evaluation (computer based)*2030 minutes3,10,11Computer generated feedback
Portfolio and viva voce2520 minutes (viva)1-20Written and verbal

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Clinical - modified examination* (10%), 1 hourClinical - modified examination1-13during clinical recovery period’
Clinical – CT head with contrast agent* , (10%) , 1 hourClinical – CT head with contrast agent 1-13during clinical recovery period
Clinical - mobile chest x-ray*, (10%), 1 hourClinical - mobile chest x-ray 1-13during clinical recovery period
Coursework (25%), 1000 wordsCoursework1-16August/September assessment period
Image Evaluation (computer based)*, (20%), 30 minImage Evaluation3,10,11August/September assessment period
portfolio and viva voce (25%), 20 mins (viva)Portfolio and viva voce 1-20August/September assessment period

Re-assessment notes

All assessments marked with * must be passed due to the PSRB requirements. If these assessments are not passed, the module mark will be capped at 39.

Third attempt clinical assessment must be undertaken during an additional period of clinical placement (clinical recovery).

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Raby N. (2014), Accident and Emergency Radiology - A Survival Guide (3rd edition), Saunders Ltd, ISBN 9780702042324

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

  • Bontrager K.L. (2017), Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy (9th edition), Mosby, ISBN 0323481876
  • Whitley AS, Jefferson G, Holmes K, Hoadley G, Sloane C, Anderson C. (2015) Clark's Positioning in Radiography (13th edition). CRC Press, London. ISBN 9781444122350
  • Johns C. (2013), Becoming a Reflective Practitioner (4th edition), Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN 9780470674260
  • Society and College of Radiographers (2013), Code of Professional Conduct, Society and College of Radiographers, ISBN 978-1-906225-39-1
  • Society and College of Radiographers (2018), Obtaining consent: a clinical guideline for the diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy workforce, Society and College of Radiographers, ISBN 978-1-909802-18-6

Key words search

Medical Imaging;Imaging;Patient;Radiations;Anatomy;Care;Protection;Pathologies;Particularattention; Variant; Radiographers.

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

PAM1007 ,PAM2005 ,PAM2011 ,

Module co-requisites

PAM2003 ,PAM2004

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/09/2004

Last revision date

21/03/2021