CT Theory and Applications

Module title	CT Theory and Applications
Module code	PAMM117
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	30
Module staff

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	6	12

Number students taking module (anticipated)	25

Module description

This module will enhance your understanding of the role Computed Tomography (CT) plays in the clinical setting. It will build in the knowledge gained in the Scientific Principles of CT module and will consider how CT is tailored to meet the needs of individual patients whilst investigating a range of different conditions as well as the role it plays in the patient pathway.

Module aims - intentions of the module

You will learn how to apply your scientific understanding of CT to a range of clinical applications, learning how MCTRI protocols are designed and adapted for a range of common clinical indications. You will learn about anatomy and common pathologies as demonstrated on CT images and gain understanding of the relative role CT plays in the patient pathway. You will learn about quality assurance in CT, how to identify common artefacts and the steps taken to either eliminate or minimise them. You will also discover, drawing on the evidence base, how to provide person centred care when practicing within this modality.

This module will further develop your understanding of the practicalities of utilising the evidence base within practice whilst considering any logistical challenges and will enable you to explore strategies to improve the integration / translation of knowledge to improve your practice. Elements of this module may map against aspects of Enhanced or Advanced Practice as defined by the relevant AHP frameworks (NHSE) and / or as defined the College of Radiographers’ Education and Career Framework 2023.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of safe and effective practice within CT, including relevant quality control (QC), audit processes, and other quality measures
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of appropriate protocol selection including selection and modification of parameters.
3. Understand the cause of artefacts and be able to identify potential solutions.
4. Exhibit comprehensive knowledge and understanding of normal anatomy, developmental anatomy and anatomical variants as seen on CT images for a range of procedures
5. Evaluate clinical indications, altered physiology and pathological findings as seen on CT images across a range of procedures
6. Evaluate the role of CT in various clinical indications and its impact upon the patient pathway
7. Critically evaluate the evidence base to inform communication and general care strategies for the full spectrum of likely patients, service users and carers.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

8. Develop a command of relevant IT packages for image viewing of CT imaging.
9. Synthesise and critically evaluate 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...

10. Reflect on development of underpinning theoretical knowledge and ability to apply theory to practice.
11. Critically reflect on personal practice to allow for personal development and change.

Syllabus plan

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

Quality Assurance

Quality control tests routinely performed in CT

Role of audit in CT

Other quality measures in CT

Service improvement

Relevant legislation, reportable incidents, role of the Care Quality Commission, dose calculations in CT

Protocol Selection

Range of common protocols, typical clinical indications, choice and modification of parameters, image post-processing

Role of contrast / medicines used in CT within a range of protocols

Common Artefacts

Common artefacts in CT

Artefact reduction, elimination, reporting

Anatomy

Anatomy, developmental anatomy, and anatomical variants on a range of CT images

Pathology

Range of clinical indications that justify CT examinations

Range of physiological processes and how these manifest on CT images

Range of pathologies on CT examinations

The relative role CT plays in the patient pathway for a range of procedures

Person centred care

Paediatrics

Trauma patients

Unconscious patients

Non-co-operative patients

Carers and comforters

Inclusive pregnancy screening

Safety screening (contrast / medicines used in CT)

Aftercare

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
48	252	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	48	Synchronous learning including lectures, seminars, flipped classrooms, workshops
Guided Independent Study	166	Discussion forums, directed reading and resources, preparation for assessment
Guided Independent Study	86	Independent critical analysis / evaluation to develop knowledge and understanding

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
A4 draft	1 side A4	1-9	Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Written assignment	100	3000 words	1-11	Written

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Written assignment (100%)	Written assignment (100%)	1-11	Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module.

Please also refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Seeram, E. (2023). Computed tomography: physical principles, patient care, clinical applications, and quality control (Fifth edition.). Elsevier.
Hayre, C. M., & Chau, S. (Eds.). (2022). Computed tomography: a primer for radiographers. CRC Press.
Carver, E., Carver, B., & Knapp, K. (Eds.). (2021). Carvers’ Medical imaging (Third edition.). Elsevier.
Chau, S. (Ed.). (2024). Person-centred care in radiology: international perspectives on high-quality care (First edition.). CRC Press.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) guidelines including:
- Recommendations for cross-sectional imaging in cancer management, 3^rd edition
- Standards of practice for computed tomography colonography (CTC)
- Sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia in the radiology department, 2^nd edition
- The radiological investigation of suspected physical abuse in children
- Standards of practice of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in adult patients
- RCR / RCPath statement on standards for medico-legal post-mortem cross-sectional imaging in adults
- Guidance on the use of CT colonography for suspected colorectal cancer
- Consensus guidelines for the safe prescription and administration of oral bowel-cleansing agents
Joint RCR and Society of Radiographers Publications including:
- IR(ME)R: Implications for clinical practice in diagnostic radiography, interventional radiology and diagnostic nuclear medicine
- Pregnancy and Work in Diagnostic Imaging Departments, 2^nd edition
- Protection of Pregnant Patients during Diagnostic Medical Exposures to Ionising Radiation
- Position statement for patients who are breastfeeding who require a CT or MRI with contrast
- CIB position statement on the use of localiser images
Society of Radiographers guidelines including:
- Inclusive pregnancy status guidelines for ionising radiation: Diagnostic and therapeutic exposures
- Communicating Radiation Benefit and Risk Information to Individuals Under the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017
- Forensic and Post-Mortem Radiography Guidance
- The Role of the Radiographer in Computed Tomography Imaging
- Stroke imaging services: guidance and advice
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
- Iodinated Contrast Media Guidelines V2.3 (currently recommended by RCR)

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

NICE guidelines, clinical knowledge summaries and advice. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance

Key words search

Computed Tomography, Clinical Applications, Enhanced Practice

Credit value	30
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	PAMM115 Scientific Principles of CT
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	03/03/2025
Last revision date	15/05/2025