CT: Theory and Applications
Module title | CT: Theory and Applications |
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Module code | PAMM113 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 12 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
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Module description
Specialist radiographers are experienced practitioners who assess and image patients within their own specialist area. This module will equip you for specialist practice in CT across a range of clinical presentations and pathologies, and for a range of patient needs. You will gain knowledge underpinned by theory which will support your understanding of the evidence base behind your practices and procedures. The theoretical component will be underpinned by practical-based experience.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module allows you to explore how the theory and science of CT applies to clinical practice as well as workplace procedures and protocols. Undertaking a mixture of university-based learning approaches including practically-based learning means you will clearly work towards developing yourself in this area. This module will further develop 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.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Gain an in-depth understanding of the fundamental safety principles of CT and the use of contrast agents, including safety aspects for self, team members and patients.
- 2. Gain an in-depth understanding of the physical principles of CT, including parameter and image optimisation, artefact recognition and minimisation and digital imaging requirements.
- 3. Critically evaluate the range of CT equipment design and functionality to inform selection and appropriate use, including room/unit design.
- 4. Gain an in-depth understanding of the legislative and governance framework for CT, including radiation safety, the role of quality assurance, quality control, audit, general safe practice and contrast agent safety.
- 5. Critically evaluate the role of different clinical protocols and the science, safety and usage of contrast media and other medicines used within CT to make recommendations around protocol optimisation.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Critically evaluate the evidence base to inform communication and general care strategies for the full spectrum of likely patient and service users.
- 7. Provide recommendations for future clinical practice to improve integration of knowledge to improve practice / patient experience.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Contribute, collaborate and communicate accurately and effectively with peers and academic staff.
- 9. Practice a range of practical CT tasks effectively, reflecting on development of underpinning theoretical knowledge and ability to apply theory to practice.
- 10. Critically reflect on personal performance 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:
Safety, contraindications, roles of other team members
- Radiation Safety and CT related dosimetry
- Pregnancy related concerns relevant to CT
- Safe management of anaesthesia in the CT unit
- Interventional CT
- Managing adverse contrast agent (and other medicines used in imaging) reactions
Physics of CT imaging, design principles of parameters and parameter manipulation
- Choice and relative roles of parameters
- Principles of CT image reconstruction
- Automated dose modulation and image optimisation techniques
- Parameters – manipulation, optimisation
- Assessing image quality
Artefacts, causes and minimisation
- Artefacts – recognition, causation, minimisation
Digital imaging including reformatting techniques, post-processing and secure handling and archiving
Equipment design, benefits and limitations
- Hardware (tube, detector and gantry design etc.)
- Ancillary equipment including contrast injectors
- CT unit design
- Procurement considerations
- Common equipment faults and troubleshooting
Governance – legislation / guidance / framework including
- IRR 2017; IR(ME)R 2017
- PGDs, PSDs
- Local Rules / Policies / Procedures
- Quality assurance in CT, including common quality control (QC) tests (such as Manufacturer QC, Service led QC)
- Role of audit including image quality and other audits
Choice of imaging protocols used in CT:
- Clinical indications,
- Limitations and role of protocol,
- Trade-offs
- Comparative imaging (role of CT compared with other modalities)
- Advanced techniques (such as perfusion imaging, CT colonography and CT coronary angiography, cardiac and respiratory gating, radiotherapy, fusion imaging, cone beam CT)
- Emerging techniques (such as dual source imaging, artificial intelligence)
Science and usage of contrast media and other medicines used in imaging
- Indications, contraindications
- Screening, safety considerations, consent
- Pregnancy / breast-feeding
- Mechanism of action, role in imaging procedure
Patient care considerations
- Consent - paediatric, adult, learning disabilities, dementia, autism
- Communication skills including patients with specific physical and / or psychological needs
- Compassionate care
- Emergency scenarios – the deteriorating patient, trauma imaging, stroke
- Safe scanning of sedated patients, unconscious and non-communicative patients (including infants)
- Positioning aids
- Interprofessional team working within CT
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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48 | 252 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 36 | Lectures, Learning group discussion, seminars, |
Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 12 | Practical work, flipped classrooms |
Guided independent study | 40 | Preparation for assessment |
Guided independent study | 10 | Tutor guided online discussion forums in the form of discussion board, consolidation of learning |
Guided independent study | 86 | Independent critical analysis / evaluation developing knowledge and understanding |
Guided independent study | 116 | Reading, private study and revision |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Computer based exam | 1 hour | 1-5 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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50 | 30 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Computer based exam | 20 | 60 minutes | 1-5 | Computer generated feedback |
Written exam | 30 | 2 hours | 1-5 | Written |
Written coursework | 50 | 2000 words | 1-7 | Written |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
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 |
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Computer based exam 20% | Computer based exam 60 minutes | 1-5 | August/September assessment period |
Written exam 30% | Written exam 2 hours | 1-5 | August/September assessment period |
Written coursework 50% | Written coursework 2000 words | 1-7 | August/September assessment period |
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
Textbook based resources
Seeram E. Computed Tomography-E-Book: Physical Principles, Clinical Applications, and Quality Control. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015 Sep 2. ISBN 9780323323017
Buzug TM. Computed tomography from photon statistics to modern cone-beam CT. ISBN 9783540394082
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
RCR Guidelines on contrast usage and extravasation trauma/stroke/CTC/PET/CT imaging
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 26/01/2022 |
Last revision date | 10/10/2022 |