Module information
Module details
- Title
- Introduction to Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology
- Type
- Rotation
- Module code
- S-DR-R1
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 1
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module will introduce trainees to the fundamentals of practice and principles of the safe use of radiation in the clinical environment to ensure both patients and staff are protected from harm.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a multidisciplinary meeting focusing on radiation protection issues, and reflect on the meeting |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a Clinical Scientist in Radiation Safety and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow the journey of a radioactive substance through the hospital, and reflect on the journey |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 |
Training activities
Explore a technological advance in imaging or radiation protection, and reflect on the impact this will have on practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 |
Training activities
Review the local rules and safe working procedures for an area, and reflect on how this guides practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe an environmental radiation protection survey, including Instantaneous Dose Rate measurements, and reflect on the processes |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a quality assurance visit for different modalities, and reflect on the visit |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe the communication of benefits and risks of radiation exposure to patients, and reflect on the discussion |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a Radiographer in Diagnostic Radiology and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 |
Training activities
Review a patient dose audit with reference to the established Local Diagnostic Reference Levels (LDRLs), and reflect on how this guides practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion
Complete 1 DOPS or OCE
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Measure radiation levels around a radiation facility and interpret the results
- Carry out quality control testing on a simple piece of x-ray equipment e.g. a mobile x-ray unit
Observed Communication Event Titles
- Gather a patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, or another member of the multidisciplinary team
- Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to another member of the multidisciplinary team
- Contribute to the education and training of colleagues e.g. deliver a presentation on findings of a competency
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the contribution of Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology to the care of patients and staff. |
| 2 | Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary team in Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology. |
| 3 | Describe the working practices of Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology. |
| 4 | Examine the impact of innovation in Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology. |
| 5 | Review the effect of legislation in Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology. |
| 6 | Compare and contrast the practice of Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology with other specialties. |
Clinical experiences
Activities
There is no clinical experiential learning associated with this module.
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:
- Apply integrative knowledge of the physical principles underpinning radiation physics.
- Explain the biological effects of radiation.
- Use appropriate quantities for assessing the effects of radiation.
- Critically discuss legislative principles and guidance applied to clinical practice.
- Discuss the underlying physical principles and operation of diagnostic x-ray equipment.
Indicative content
| Radioactivity | Decay processes, alpha, beta and gamma rays and their characteristics.
Half-life. Activity. Activation of materials. |
| X-ray production | Generation of X-rays.
The diagnostic x-ray tube. kV, mA, the diagnostic x-ray spectrum, filtration, tube rating. Point source and inverse square law. |
| Interaction of radiation with matter | Transmission, attenuation and absorption of radiation.
Linear and mass attenuation coefficients, including half and tenth value layers. Definition of exposure, dose and air kerma. |
| Photon interaction processes | Photoelectric effect, compton scattering, coherent scattering and pair production. |
| Biological effects of radiation | Biological effects of ionising radiation,
Linear energy transfer and radiobiological effectiveness. |
| Dosimetry Instrumentation | Ion chambers, G-M tubes, ratemeters, TLD and film.
Matching instrument to task. |
| Radiation risk | Stochastic and deterministic effects of radiation.
The basis of radiation protection. LNT assumption. Absorbed dose, effective dose and radiation risk. Patient dose quantities. Communicating risk. |
| Radiation safety regulations | Principles of protection, dose limits, legislation overview (IRR & IRMER) and guidance. |
| Patient dose calculation | Basics of patient dose calculation. |
| Personal radiation monitoring | Practical personal radiation monitoring in the workplace: what the monitored individual has to know. |
| Room design | Introduction to principles of x-ray room design. |
| DR – Instrumentation | Projection imaging technology. |
| DR – Image reconstruction techniques | CT technology and image reconstruction. |
| DR – Image processing and analysis | Image processing and analysis. |
| DR – Q | Obtaining the optimal image. |
Module assigned to
Specialties
| Specialty code | Specialty title | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty code SPE1-6-22 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-22 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-22 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-22 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-23 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-23 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-23 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-23 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-24 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-24 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-24 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-24 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2024] | Action View |