Clinical Applications of Medical Imaging Technologies for Radiotherapy

Details

Title

Clinical Applications of Medical Imaging Technologies for Radiotherapy

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HPE125

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/cone beam
• nuclear medicine imaging
• magnetic resonance imaging
• ultrasound

in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, particularly oncology.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will understand the clinical indications, contraindications and the justification for the imaging applied. They will analyse, synthesise, critically evaluate and apply their expert knowledge for each of the imaging modalities identified above, including:

• The role of imaging in the patient pathway:
  • appreciate normal and pathological appearances in clinical images;
  • the use of mathematical techniques to derive quantitative indices from images and standard phantom images, and have knowledge of the normal ranges of the indices;
  • be aware of standard imaging tests for each imaging modality, e.g. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) (Jasczak) tests, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Standardised Uptake Values (SUV) validation tests, Leeds phantom, Winston-Lutz, ;
  • the role of imaging in screening, diagnosis, oncology treatment guidance and treatment response evaluation;
  • frequencies and appropriate use of relevant imaging techniques, particularly for on-treatment verification and adaptation of treatment.

• Alternative methods of imaging, including an understanding of the strengths and limitations of each technique.
• Alignment of multi-modality imaging systems and associated tests (e.g. PET-CT, lasers, kV–kV, Linac, cone beam CT).
• Have knowledge of optimum image acquisition parameters for each imaging modality used with fusion techniques within the radiotherapy imaging pathway, including the limitations of different image fusion techniques.
• Commissioning, acceptance and quality assurance of systems used for image guided radiotherapy (IGRT).

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. The Clinical Scientist 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, and appropriateness for particular imaging task, e.g. frequency of imaging, cost-benefit analysis.
• Advise on volume tracking techniques used with imaging.

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:

• Critically reflect and put into practice their scientific skills and clinical knowledge of imaging in a variety of clinical situations, e.g. in the context of oncology (optimise image quality, choose correct modality for imaging, correct acquisition modes, use of markers, adaptive treatment image verification, ).
• 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.
• Review imaging protocols with relevance to oncology and advise on modifications and current techniques and technology.

Attitudes and behaviours

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will consistently demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for the role of a Consultant Clinical Scientist and will:

• Promote the importance of improving patient outcomes through innovation in a safe and verifiable manner.
• Promote evidence-based medicine.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary groups on local, national and international levels with the aim of improving clinical and scientific outcomes related to external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy.