CSB037 Medical Imaging Applications in Radiation Therapy


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:CSB037
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:LQB389 and CSB025
Coordinator:Neil O'Brien | n.obrien@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

The ability to identify anatomical structures on a range of imaging modalities is an essential skill for radiation therapists. This unit provides you with opportunities to build on the fundamental 3D relational anatomical understanding of previous anatomy units and apply this knowledge to image interpretation. This unit also provides radiation therapy students with the fundamental knowledge of CT, MRI, Ultrasound and PET and the quality control and quality assurance associated with these modalities.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Identify and describe common anatomical structures on a range of imaging modalities (MRPBA Domains 1.1a, 1.1c).
    Relates to: MRPPC2020: Domain 1, 1.1a, 1.1c
  2. Discuss the fundamentals of image production and interpretation for a range of imaging modalities (MRPBA Domains 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3c, 1.3d, 1.7a).
  3. Describe factors affecting image quality and implement strategies for improvement (MRPBA Domains 1.7b, 1.9c, 1C.5b, 1C.5c).
  4. Discuss the safe and effective use of a range of imaging modalities (MRPBA Domains 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3c, 1.3d, 1.4b, 1.7c, 1.9a, 1.9b, 1C.2a, 1C.4a, 1C.5a, 5.1a, 5.1b, 5.3a).
  5. Explain the importance and use of clinical information management systems (MRPBA Domains 1.2a, 1.2b, 1.2c, 1.2d, 1.2e)

Content

  • Fundamentals of image production (CT, MR, Ultrasound and PET) including 3D datasets
  • Factors affecting the quality of CT images e.g. artefacts
  • Strategies for improving images, including scan parameter conditions
  • Fundamentals of image interpretation and anatomical structure identification (CT, MR, PET)
  • CT simulation QA
  • Patient, public and staff safety
  • Clinical information management systems e.g. PACs, RIS.

Relates to learning outcomes


These learning outcomes address elements of the domains for the professional capabilities for medical radiation practice for the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA).

Each learning outcome is mapped to the relevant professional capability as demonstrated.

Learning Approaches

A range of learning and teaching strategies will be employed in this unit. The lectures will introduce you to key concepts relating to the principles and practice of image production using a range of modalities. These will be complemented with practical image interpretation sessions using a range of images to consolidate your understanding. Problem-based learning will challenge you to apply your knowledge and understanding to identify structures on a range of images.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback is provided throughout the semester, where work is reviewed and assessed. Feedback will aim to provide students with suggestions for further development of academic skills as well as suggestions for further study where appropriate.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment tasks in this unit will require you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills and application of the fundamental aspects of Medical Imaging applications, in a variety of formats, which are aligned with the learning outcomes of the unit and course.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Examination (practical)

Practical examination related to identification and description of anatomical structures on a range of imaging modalities.

Weight: 10
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Problem solving task discussing the safe and effective use of a specified imaging modality.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Early semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 4

Assessment: Examination

Examination conducted at the end of semester.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Additional resources are located on the Canvas site for this unit.

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Bridge, P and Tipper, D.J (2017). CT Anatomy for Radiotherapy. (2nd Ed) M and K Publishing

Bushberg, J.T. (2012). The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging (3rd ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Romans,L. (2011). Computed Tomography for Technologists. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Webb, W., Brant, W., & Major, N. (2015). Fundamentals of Body CT (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

Weir,J., Abrahams. P., Spratt, J., & Salkowski . L. (2012). Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy (4th ed.). Mosby Elsevier.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the unit.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

MRPBA Professional Capabilities 2020

Domain 1: Medical radiation practitioner


  1. Relates to: ULO1

  2. Relates to: ULO1

  3. Relates to: ULO5

  4. Relates to: ULO5

  5. Relates to: ULO5

  6. Relates to: ULO5

  7. Relates to: ULO5

  8. Relates to: ULO2, ULO4

  9. Relates to: ULO2, ULO4

  10. Relates to: ULO2, ULO4

  11. Relates to: ULO2, ULO4

  12. Relates to: ULO4

  13. Relates to: ULO2

  14. Relates to: ULO3

  15. Relates to: ULO4

  16. Relates to: ULO4

  17. Relates to: ULO4

  18. Relates to: ULO3

Domain 1C: Radiation therapist


  1. Relates to: ULO4

  2. Relates to: ULO4

  3. Relates to: ULO4

  4. Relates to: ULO3

  5. Relates to: ULO3

Domain 5: Radiation safety and risk manager


  1. Relates to: ULO4

  2. Relates to: ULO4

  3. Relates to: ULO4

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

CS49 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy

  1. Principles and applications of radiation therapy
    Relates to: Examination (practical), Problem Solving Task, Examination
  2. Biological Sciences
    Relates to: Examination (practical), Examination
  3. Multi-modality imaging
    Relates to: Examination (practical), Problem Solving Task, Examination
  4. Critical thinking (analyse, interpret, evaluate)
    Relates to: Examination (practical)
  5. Problem solving as independent health practitioners
    Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination
  6. Patient information management systems
    Relates to: Examination

CS50 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (Honours)

  1. Principles and application of radiation therapy
    Relates to: Examination (practical), Problem Solving Task, Examination
  2. Biological Sciences
    Relates to: Examination (practical), Examination
  3. Multi-modality imaging
    Relates to: Examination (practical), Problem Solving Task, Examination
  4. Critical thinking (analyse, interpret, evaluate, synthesise)
    Relates to: Examination (practical)
  5. Problem solving as independent health practitioners
    Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination
  6. Patient information management systems
    Relates to: Examination