CT: Theory, Applications and Practice
| Module title | CT: Theory, Applications and Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | PAMM122 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Noor Shafini Mohamad (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| 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 CT 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. You will also undertake a practice placement that will further enable you to understand how to apply theory to practice.
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 by 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 comprehensive understanding of safe and effective practice within CT, including relevant quality control (QC), audit processes, and other quality measures.
- 2. Demonstrate 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.
- 12. Contribute, collaborate and communicate accurately and effectively with peers, colleagues and / or service users and carers.
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
Practice Placement
Pre-placement:
Mandatory training to comply with NHS / placement site requirements (including basic life support, mandatory e-learning modules, moving and handling, infection prevention and control)
Entire placement:
Safe and effective practice, including radiation protection, contrast agent safety.
Person-centred care
Effective communication and interprofessional team working
Identify normal, normal variant and developmental anatomy and pathology
Computed Tomography placement (4 weeks)
Routine positioning / departmental protocols in CT
Role of contrast media and other medicines in CT
Image processing and post-processing in CT
General Radiography placement (1 week)
Routine general radiography positioning / departmental protocols
Modification of approach, technique and exposure factors
Image a range of patients including paediatrics, frail and trauma patients
Identify need for additional projections and / or escalation due to image appearances
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.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | 247 | 150 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Placement | 150 | Placement learning. Attendance requirements as stated in placement paperwork |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 49 | Synchronous learning including lectures, seminars, flipped classrooms, workshops, placement tutorial |
| Guided independent study | 166 | Discussion forums, directed reading and resources, preparation for assessment |
| Guided independent study | 81 | Independent critical analysis / evaluation to develop knowledge and understanding |
| Mandatory training | 4 | Pre-clinical preparation (mandatory training) |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 draft | A4 draft | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of clinical practice (P/F) | 0 | N/A | 1-12 | Written |
| Coursework | 100 | 3,000 words | 1-9 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of clinical practice (0%) | Portfolio of clinical practice | 1-12 | Typically within 6 weeks of the result. |
| Coursework (100%) | Coursework (100%) | 1-9 | Typically within 6 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
e-library books
- 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, 3rd edition
- Standards of practice for computed tomography colonography (CTC)
- Sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia in the radiology department, 2nd 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, 2nd 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
- Medical Imaging Handbook:
- Medical Imaging Code of Conduct for Practice Placements.
- Medical Imaging Supervision Policy.
| 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 | 14/07/2025 |
