Neuroimaging and Ultrasonography

Details

Title

Neuroimaging and Ultrasonography

Type

Stage One

Module code

HPS219

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, computed tomography (CT) including xenon CT, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), carotid ultrasound and transcranial Doppler, functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography and ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of patients referred to a Clinical Neurophysiology Department. 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, within their scope of practice, for each of the imaging modalities identified above, including:

• general principles of neuroimaging spanning mathematics, statistics, physics, computing, neuroanatomy and physiology;
• data acquisition, analysis and interpretation;
• indications for neuroimaging;
• indications for ultrasound, including peripheral conditions;
• limitations of neuroimaging and ultrasound;
• key neuroimaging technologies and their application in screening, diagnosis, treatment selection, guidance and response evaluation;
• normal and pathological appearances in clinical images as appropriate to the investigation of patients referred to a neurophysiological science service;
• quantitative techniques used to derive anatomical/physiological indices from images, and the normal ranges of the indices;
• the strengths and limitations of each technique;
• techniques for reporting clinical images and/or quantitative clinical data as appropriate to the investigation of patients referred to a neurophysiological science service.

Footnote: Clinical Scientists in HSST will need to keep up to date as new imaging techniques are developed or adapted following the publication of this curriculum.

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 neuroimaging and ultrasound technologies to compare and contrast the relative scientific merits of imaging technologies for specific clinical situations, including risk, benefit and diagnostic efficacy considerations;
• 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;
• actively contribute to multidisciplinary meetings;
• 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.