Clinical Applications of Medical Imaging Technologies for Imaging Physics

Details

Title

Clinical Applications of Medical Imaging Technologies for Imaging Physics

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HPE108

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to understand and critically evaluate the clinical use of X-ray imaging, CT, nuclear medicine, MRI and ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to critically apply their knowledge, understanding and judgement to develop and evaluate investigative strategies/procedures/processes that take account of relevant clinical and scientific evidence and other sources of information and prioritise patient safety. A key role will be to provide advice to colleagues and patients. The Clinical Scientist in HSST will also be expected to critically evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations, consistently demonstrating the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply their expert knowledge for each of the imaging modalities identified above, including:

• The role of imaging in screening, diagnosis, treatment selection, guidance and response evaluation.
• Normal and pathological appearances in clinical images as appropriate to their own area of Medical Physics practice.
• Quantitative techniques used to derive anatomical/physiological indices from images, and the normal ranges of the indices.
• Equivalent methods of imaging, including an understanding of the strengths and limitations of each technique.
• Radiation-based quantitative techniques such as radioisotope assays, MR spectroscopy and US elastography, and the normal ranges of the data obtained.
• Techniques for reporting clinical images and/or quantitative clinical data as appropriate in their own area of Medical Physics practice.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to critically apply their knowledge and understanding to develop and evaluate investigative strategies/procedures/processes that take account of relevant clinical and scientific evidence and other sources of information and will be able to:

• Critically apply their understanding of the clinical use of medical imaging technologies to compare and contrast the relative scientific merits of medical imaging technologies for specific clinical situations, including risk, benefit and diagnostic efficacy considerations.

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to critically reflect and apply in practice their scientific and clinical knowledge as they perform, master and adapt a range of clinical skills and will:

• Report clinical images and/or quantitative clinical data as appropriate in their own area of Medical Physics practice.
• Work with and communicate effectively with relevant clinicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Advise and communicate effectively with the patient and the public as determined by the scope of practice.

Attitudes and behaviours

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations. They will also consistently demonstrate the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist working within the limits of professional competence referring as appropriate to senior staff and will:

• Act in accordance with the principles and practice of patient-centred care, regularly reflecting on personal practice and revising judgements and changing behaviour in light of new evidence.
• Consider care pathways and the process of care from patients’ perspectives.
• Consider the patient as a whole, respecting their individual needs, dignity and right to privacy, autonomy and confidentiality.
• Actively seek to work alongside other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients or service users accessing Medical Physics services.
• Recognise the importance of the multidisciplinary clinical team.
• Encourage informed debate and critical reflection within healthcare teams.
• Communicate effectively and with understanding and empathy.