UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Health StudiesDivision of RadiographyProgramme/course title: BSc (Hons) Medical Imaging
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal award: / BSc (Hons)
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level H]
Programme title: / Medical Imaging
Programme approved by / College of Radiographers
Duration: / 3 Years full-time (maximum 5 years)
UCAS code: / n/a
Subject benchmark statement: / Health Care Programmes - Radiography
Date produced: / 29 March 2011
Last updated : / 19th September 2011
Introduction
Medical Imaging Technicians are key members of the health care team in Pakistan. By exploiting the properties of X and gamma rays, ultrasound and magnetic fields, and understanding the ways in which they interact with body tissues, their role is to ensure the wellbeing and safety of people in their care and produce optimized images of the body which will allow them and others in the health care team to arrive at a diagnosis of disease or injury, thereby informing the future care and management of patients. The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (SKMCHRC), Lahore operates a state of the art private cancer service with full diagnostic and radiotherapy services. Its mission statement is: ‘To act as a moral institution to alleviate the suffering of patients with cancer through: the application of modern methods of curative and palliative therapy, irrespective of ability to pay; the education of health care professionals and the public; and to perform research into causes and treatment of cancer.’ The hospital is ISO 9000 accredited.
The SKMCHRC has worked in collaboration with the University of Bradford, England since 2006 to educate student radiographers to honour degree standard. We will provide you with a supportive and multiprofessional learning environment to help you develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to practise as a medical imaging technician. Research and clinical practice at the SKMCHRC hospital is recognised both nationally and internationally.
A distinctive feature of the course is the integration of theory and practice. Academic study and clinical practice occurs mainly at the SKMCHRC campus with some placements at other hospitals in Lahore. Another distinctive feature of the course is the integration of the sciences studied in radiography and the associated clinical learning into themed modules. To enable this, you will have access to on-line University of Bradford learning and teaching resources and on-line and library resources at the hospital. Practice based learning allows you to work with and learn from clinical radiographers and radiologists providing medical imaging services to the public using state of the art imaging equipment.
The course articulates well with the University of Bradford mission: ‘Making Knowledge Work’. We are providers of high quality teaching, informed by internationally recognised research and knowledge transfer which enables you to achieve their educational aspirations within an inclusive, supportive and sustainable environment.
The University of Bradford, Ecoversity programme aims to embed the principles and practice of sustainability across the entire institution, by encouraging people to adopt sustainable behaviours and lifestyles, but also we have adopted the UNESCO principles for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) with the curriculum (http://www.unesco.org/en/esd/). For you, as a student, ESD aims to help you understand the world you live in and take some responsibility for creating a sustainable future at home and at work. The curriculum will help you to develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge to enable you to make informed decisions for the benefit of yourself, patients, carers and other health service users.
Programme Aims
The programme has been written with reference to the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE) Benchmark Statement for Diagnostic Radiography (2001), the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2001) and the College of Radiographers Approval and Accreditation of Education Programmes and Professional Practice in Radiography (2004). It prepares you to meet the needs of the imaging service in Pakistan. Please note that this course does not confer eligibility to register with the Health Professions Council in the UK.
It will enable you to:
A1 become a health care professional who is capable of practising medical imaging competently, effectively, safely and autonomously, within a multiprofessional team environment, to meet service and service user needs
A2 become eligible to apply for overseas membership of the Society and College of Radiographers
A3 confidently challenge existing radiographic practice, through the development of critical thinking and clinical reasoning
A4 engage in lifelong learning through the enhancement of personal transferable skills
A5 become a health care practitioner who will take some responsibility for creating a sustainable future by adopting sustainable behaviours and lifestyles in the efficient use of resources and as health care professionals, provide imaging to all our service users regardless of social, economic and cultural background.
Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
LO1 practice medical imaging safely, autonomously, competently and effectively, in a multiprofessional health care environment with due regard for the needs of patients and professional colleagues
LO2 evaluate the issues and legislation relating to equality and diversity and apply these to your professional practice
LO3 synthesis your knowledge and understanding of human anatomy, physiology and pathology and apply this to the planning and production of diagnostic images and their subsequent evaluation
LO4 critically evaluate and interpret requests for imaging investigations to an extent which allows you to make an independent judgement about the need for, and suitability of, the proposed investigation
LO5 relate knowledge of imaging systems, radiation protection principles and legislation to the demonstration how optimization of dose and image quality can be achieved
LO6 evaluate the complementary role of medical imaging investigations in patient care
LO7 demonstrate knowledge of sustainability and apply its principles to your learning and subsequent professional practise
LO8 think logically, systematically and conceptually in order to demonstrate an evidence based approach to professional practise through the use of research evidence and argument
LO9 take responsibility for evaluating and improving your own learning by critically reflecting, setting targets, planning and prioritising learning activities
LO10 identify, evaluate, analyse, interpret and synthesise a wide range of relevant information through the reasoned selection of appropriate methods and techniques
LO11 illustrate, present and explain new information in a variety of formats to suit a range of purposes and audiences
LO12 recognise and articulate the significance of continuing professional development and the need to maintain clinical competence through the development of a portfolio of evidence.
Curriculum
Graduates from the course will have successfully achieved a standard of education and clinical competence which will allow them to work safely and effectively to the level required to practice in Pakistan. The content of the course is guided by the radiographers’ professional body, the Society and College of Radiographers. Thus the course aligns with the requirements of practitioner level radiographers as stated in the Learning and Development Framework (2007).
To ensure you acquire high standards of proficiency, each academic year you will have the equivalent of 18 weeks of placements in local health care facilities. During this time you will develop practical skills related to the learning outcomes for the medical imaging course. Clinical proficiency is assessed throughout the course. As these proficiencies are linked to the learning outcomes for the modules being studied, failure in clinical assessments will result in you not being eligible to pass profession specific modules and obtain a BSc (Hons) Medical Imaging. You will be eligible for academic credit for all successfully completed modules.
An induction programme which begins before you commence the course and continues throughout the first year will enable you to adapt to becoming a student studying for an honours degree conferred by the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. A range of learning and teaching methods will encourage you to become a learner capable of independent thought and action and thus become an autonomous practitioner who is capable of working collaboratively for the benefit of your patients.
Throughout the three years of the course you will have the opportunity to study a range of subject areas including biological, physical and social sciences as well as applied topics relating to radiographic and healthcare practice.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is part of the University of Bradford Ecoversity Programme, which aims to embed the principles and practice of sustainable development across the entire institution. Major areas of the Ecoversity Vision include working towards: a healthier environment; social well-being; a thriving local economy; and sustainable education.
The BSc (Hons) Medical Imaging curriculum has been written to facilitate students to become health care practitioners who can work and live sustainably guided by the six ESD principles contained in the Statement on Education for Sustainable Development within the School of Health Studies (http://www.brad.ac.uk/health/ecoversity/).
Year 1 (level 4)
Main subject areas
During the first year of the course you will be introduced to the profession of radiography and the principles of being a collaborative health care practitioner. Major topic areas are anatomy, physiology, pathology and radiographic techniques of the: cardiopulmonary and respiratory system; appendicular skeleton (upper and lower limbs); axial skeleton (skull, spine, and pelvis) and abdominal organs. In support of the safe use and application of radiographic techniques you will gain and apply knowledge of the fundamentals of X-ray production, radiation protection and imaging technologies. Teaching will be delivered in lectures which will be supported by tutorials and practical sessions which will take place in the imaging department. Carefully planned and supervised elements of teaching will be undertaken by third year radiography students. To prepare you for collaborative professional practice and as part of the module Principles of Collaborative Professional Practice you will be assigned to a core module study group with other students from your course. Together you will study professional issues, teamwork and study skills utilising face to face contact and on-line discussions.
Academic study and clinical learning occurs each day throughout the academic year. Assessment takes a wide variety of formats including, computer delivered examinations, assignments. To ensure the quality of your clinical education, you will receive a Professional Development Portfolio. This has two functions: to direct your clinical learning to ensure you achieve module learning outcomes, and; to record clinical activity, attainment of clinical competencies and assessments. Whilst learning in the clinical department you will receive: formative feedback on your skill development, objective assessment of your competence in performing a range of routine x-ray examinations and summative assessment of your competence during the final clinical placement of the academic year. Throughout the course 100% attendance is required for placement learning and any deficit accrued has to be made good before you can pass the year and proceed to the next year of the course or during the final year, to graduate.
By the end of this year, you will be able to:
Understand the principles of becoming a collaborative, practice ready, health care practitioner.
Demonstrate the knowledge of and the ability to undertake, under supervision, a limited range of radiographic examinations of the appendicular and axial skeleton, cardiopulmonary and respiratory systems and abdomen.
Understand the reason for and apply principles of health and safety, including appropriate radiation protection.
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodHEA- / Principles of Collaborative Professional Practice / Core / 20 / 4 / S1 & S2
HR- / Radiography of the Appendicular Skeleton and Chest / Core / 30 / 4 / S1
HR- / Safe and Professional Radiographic Practice / Core / 20 / 4 / S1
HR- / Radiography of the Axial Skeleton / Core / 30 / 4 / S2
HR- / Introduction to Abdominal Imaging / Core / 20 / 4 / S2
S1 = semester 1 S2 = semester 2
Successfully completing both the academic and clinical assessments at this stage will make you eligible to exit the programme with an award of Certificate of Higher Education in Health Studies.
Please note:
· Clinical proficiency is assessed throughout the course. As these proficiencies are linked to the learning outcomes for individual profession specific modules, failure in clinical assessments will result in you not being eligible to pass these modules and obtain a BSc (Hons) Medical Imaging. You will be eligible for academic credit for all successfully completed modules.
Year 2 (level 5)
Main subject areas
During the second year of the course you will study body systems which require the use of more complex imaging procedures and modalities, many of which will require the use of contrast agents. These include the anatomy, physiology, pathology and radiographic techniques of the: vascular, urinary, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, reproductive, endocrine and nervous system; and the associated use of contrast agents. This will involve gaining an advanced understanding of image detector technology, exposure and scatter control.
To understand how medical images of these systems are produced, the physical principles and clinical application of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, bone densitometry and mammography are studied. As a foundation for studies in year 3, policies and procedures for image interpretation are investigated and evaluated.
Your role in the practice of radiography in a diverse society is explored and learning is enhanced through small group discussion with service users who have complex health care needs. Providing equality of service provision to a wide range of service users throughout an extensive range of settings requires evaluation of needs and effective use of a range of equipment.
As part of your professional development you will increase your understanding and the application of professional regulation, the legal status of codes of professional conduct and registration, competence, responsibility and negligence.
In the year 2 core module ‘Evidencing Professional Practice’ you will continue to study with your core module study group exploring the evidence underpinning a health promotion message. You will explore the concepts of evidence based practice and how professional knowledge is developed through research. This will allow you to practice medical imaging safely, autonomously, competently and effectively, in a multiprofessional health care environment with due regard for the needs of patients and professional colleagues.