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University of Exeter Medical School

Practice Placement 3

Module titlePractice Placement 3
Module codePAM3018
Academic year2023/4
Credits30
Module staff

Dr Abasiama Dick Obotiba (Convenor)

Dr Chris Hayre (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

18

0

0

Number students taking module (anticipated)

80

Module description

This module builds upon PAM2006 Practice Placement 2 to develop the full range of professional and technical skills required to meet the competence standards of Health and Care Professions Council registration requirements. Mandatory training is an integral part of this module and must be completed at the required time to avoid module failure.

Module aims - intentions of the module

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

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. Practice safely and effectively within the scope of this placement, demonstrating proficiency in equipment handling, infection control, radiographic positioning, patient immobilisation, manual handling, optimal exposure selection and image acquisition across all patient age groups.
  • 2. Care for and communicate with patients of all ages and abilities appropriately, demonstrating a duty of care and awareness of raising concerns and awareness of legal and ethical professional boundaries including confidentiality.
  • 3. Describe and implement radiation protection measures (including but not limited to patient identification, interpreting referral information, and ensuring appropriate use of medical imaging and quality control).
  • 4. Evaluate medical images encountered within the scope of this placement using a recognised methodology, identifying normal, developmental and anatomical variant anatomy, assessing image quality and taking corrective action, using abnormality alerts as per departmental protocol.
  • 5. Demonstrate the ability to assess, monitor and care for patients, before during and after medical imaging procedures, and be able to recognise the deteriorating patient and have the skills and knowledge to undertake basic life support.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 6. Demonstrate the skills needed to support clinical education, training, leadership and feedback ability to further develop skills and knowledge by reflecting on clinical experience and identify personal strengths and areas for further learning
  • 7. Maintain accurate records, meeting professional requirements, as well continuing a personal and professional portfolio as a basis for future CPD.
  • 8. 15 Contribute positively to the placement department, working in partnership with service users, work effectively with other professions and professionals, support staff and others, ensure effective management of caseload and resources.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 9. Comply with the Code of Practice for Clinical Placements
  • 10. Participate actively in clinical tutorials whilst on placement;

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 (June/July preceding placement)

Mandatory training in compliance with NHS requirements, including:

Basic Life Support.

Mandatory e-learning modules.

Moving and Handling.

General and / or A&E Room [5 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 or Preliminary Clinical Evaluation (PCE) as applicable.

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.

Fluoroscopy Room [1.5 weeks]

Use of barium and iodine-based contrast agents.

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Assessment of images, modification of exposure factors and technique.

Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.

Identify the need for additional imaging.

Develop involvement, expanding your role as a student radiographer

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection in a high dose environment, patient care and communication.

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.

Understanding of and adherence to the principles of a sterile environment and infection control procedures.

Mobiles and Theatres [2.5 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.

Understanding of and adherence to the principles of a sterile environment and infection control.

Develop your role so you are 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.

Computed Tomography [2 week]

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Use of contrast media

Participate as a member of the inter-professional team.

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.

Other Modalities

Ultrasound [0.5 weeks]

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 [1.5 weeks]

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 this modality.

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

Nuclear Medicine [0.5 weeks]

Standard positioning, equipment 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.

Modalities/Specialties/Inter-professional working depending on Trust availability [1.5 weeks].
This could include extra experience in a perceived area of weakness, or other areas of interest, or new modalities such as:

Positron Emission Tomography: Standard positioning and department protocols 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 the use of positron emitters.

DXA: Standard positioning and departmental protocols for the measurement of bone density; Image processing and manipulation; Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology; Identify artefacts affecting image processing and methods of rectification; Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication; awareness of the diagnosis criteria for osteoporosis and the impact of osteoporosis on the workload in an imaging department.

Mammography: Standard positioning and departmental procedures; Assessment of mammograms, modification of exposure factors and technique; Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology; Identify the need for additional views; Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Out of Hours Shifts (from within general weeks)

Gain experience in out of hours work by working, two nights and a minimum of five late 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.
Inter-professional working

Alternative Placement – Leadership week [1 week]
Clinically relevant learning set by the university

 

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
3484480

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities17Pre-clinical Preparation - mandatory training
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities11-hour prior to placement Tutorial support
Placement480Placement learning. Attendance requirements as stated in placement paperwork.
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities24University provided activities 1.5 hours per week (Simulated learning activity)
Scheduled learning and teaching activities168x2-hour tutorials during placement
Guided Independent study60Revision of academic modules

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
02080

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Mandatory Training Completion* (You must successfully complete this prior to commencing placement. This assessment must be passed; failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module)0As required for completion. 1,2,5N/A
Clinical - multiple patient*151 hour1-10Written and verbal
Clinical – Half-day room management session*15Half-day1-10Written and Verbal
Clinical - Theatre case*151 hour1-10Written and Verbal
Image evaluation (computer based)*2030 minutes3, 4Computer generated feedback
Portfolio and viva voce3530 minutes (viva)1-10Written and Verbal
0

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Clinical – multiple patient* (15%), 1 hour Clinical - Multiple patient1-10Within placement period for second attempt or April clinical recovery period for third attempt
Clinical half-day room management session* (15%), half-dayClinical half-day room management session1-10Within placement period for second attempt or April clinical recovery period for third attempt
Clinical - Theatre case * (15%), 1 hourClinical - Theatre case1-10Within placement period for second attempt or April clinical recovery period for third attempt
Image evaluation (computer based)* (20%), 30 minImage evaluation (computer based)3, 4During August clinical recovery period (referral) or May assessment period (deferral)
Portfolio and viva voce (35%), 20 min (viva)Portfolio and viva voce1-10During August clinical recovery period (referral) or May assessment period (deferral)

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.

As it is a contractual and legal requirement to complete the mandatory training prior to placements, it is not possible to offer a reassessment opportunity. If you have mitigating circumstances, you may be given an opportunity to interrupt your studies and complete the mandatory assessment at the next opportunity.

For clinical assessment two attempts are permitted during normal placement time. In the event that the second attempt is not passed, a third attempt is permitted but must be undertaken during an additional period of clinical placement (clinical recovery).

See Medical Imaging Assessment Conventions published in the Medical Imaging handbook https://uemsvle.exeter.ac.uk/ext/mihb/index.php

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Not applicable

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; Patient; Radiations; Protection; Anatomy; Pathologies; Protocols; Care.

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

PAM1007; PAM2006

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/09/2004

Last revision date

06/11/2023