Training activity information
Details
Investigate artefacts in patient images and non-imaging data-sets with consideration of the cause of the artefact, including scope for corrective action and the implications for qualitative and quantitative interpretation
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Normal appearances of a range of diagnostic images
- Artefacts arising due to equipment malfunction
- Artefacts arising due to operator error/protocol deviation
- Artefacts arising due to patient factors (e.g. motion)
- Radiopharmaceutical labelling
- Corrections for artefacts
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What types of artefacts (imaging and non-imaging) are you most likely to encounter?
- What specific insights do you hope to gain into the causes and identification of artefacts in Nuclear Medicine data?
- Reflect on your current understanding of image formation and potential sources of error. What do you anticipate learning about determining the impact of artefacts on image interpretation and potential corrective actions?
- Discuss common artefacts encountered in the department with your training officer.
- Review resources on image artefacts and their causes.
- Consider how different artefacts might affect qualitative and quantitative analysis.
In action
- How are you systematically investigating the artefact?
- What steps are you taking to identify the potential cause?
- How are you assessing the impact on image interpretation?
- What decisions are you making as you investigate? For example, which acquisition parameters or processing steps are you reviewing?
- How are you differentiating between different types of artefacts? What corrective actions are you considering?
- What aspects of artefact identification and troubleshooting feel intuitive based on your experience, and what requires more conscious effort and reference to image quality guidelines or technical literature?
- How effective are your investigative steps in identifying the likely cause of the artefact?
- Are you narrowing down the possibilities?
- What challenges are you facing during the investigation? For example, is the artefact subtle or unusual? Are there multiple potential causes?
- What can you learn about the different types of artefacts, their causes, and their impact on diagnostic information as you investigate?
- How does this investigation connect to your existing knowledge of image acquisition principles, processing techniques, and quality assurance in Nuclear Medicine?
- Are there alternative investigative approaches you could be considering if the cause of the artefact remains unclear? For example, should you review previous scans or consult with a more experienced colleague?
- What support or guidance might you need to determine the cause and potential corrective actions, and to understand the implications for image interpretation?
- Are you ensuring that your actions and any corrective measures taken are within your scope of practice and do not compromise the integrity of the data or the diagnostic process?
On action
- What specific artefacts did you investigate in the patient images or non-imaging data-sets?
- What methods did you use to investigate the potential causes of these artefacts?
- What were the likely causes of the artefacts you identified?
- What were the implications of these artefacts for the qualitative and quantitative interpretation of the data?
- What scope was there for corrective action, and what actions did you consider or take?
- What did you learn about the different types of artefacts that can occur in Nuclear Medicine data?
- How did this activity improve your ability to identify deviations and errors in data?
- What did you learn about the impact of artefacts on image interpretation and clinical decision-making?
- What specialist knowledge and skills related to image acquisition and processing did you utilise?
- How did your reflection-in-action (during the investigation) influence your approach to identifying the cause and potential corrections?
- How does this experience relate to ensuring the quality and reliability of diagnostic information?
- What areas for continued development in identifying and resolving image artefacts have been identified?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to future situations where artefacts are encountered?
- What actions will you take to further your understanding of image processing and artefact identification?
- What support or resources might you need to enhance your knowledge in this area?
Beyond action
- Have you encountered similar artefacts in subsequent imaging or non-imaging data, and how has your understanding of their causes and corrective actions developed?
- Compare your approach to investigating these artefacts with other instances where you have encountered data anomalies or inconsistencies.
- What different diagnostic and problem-solving skills have you employed?
- Review your reflections from this training activity in relation to other activities involving image or data quality. Have you noticed any patterns in the types of artefacts encountered or the effectiveness of different corrective measures?
- Discuss your investigations with senior colleagues or imaging specialists. Have their insights provided alternative explanations for the artefacts or different strategies for minimising their occurrence and impact?
- Recognise how this activity has improved your ability to critically evaluate the quality of nuclear medicine data and identify potential sources of error.
- How has your awareness of the implications of artefacts for image interpretation and quantitative analysis grown?
- How has your experience in investigating artefacts influenced your routine image review and data processing procedures?
- Consider how the learning from this training activity will support you in observed assessments where you might need to demonstrate your ability to ensure the quality and accuracy of diagnostic information.
- Identify the transferable skills developed, such as attention to detail, critical analysis, systematic investigation, and understanding the limitations of data.
- How might these skills be valuable in advanced imaging techniques or research?
- Identify actions for continued development in your understanding of image and data artefacts.
- What further training or reading in image processing and quality assurance might be beneficial?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Identify deviations and errors, evaluate their impact, and formulate appropriate responses to best mitigate adverse effects on patient care and outcomes. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Devise and apply solutions to commonly arising issues to meet patient care objectives in a safe and non-discriminatory manner, drawing on both own relevant specialist knowledge and skills, and those of others. |