CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDI12007 Quality Processes for Dose and Image Optimisation
Quality Processes for Dose and Image Optimisation
All details in this unit profile for MEDI12007 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

You will apply knowledge of equipment operation and use as well as radiographic image acquisition techniques to the optimisation of radiographic images and patient dose. You will perform quality control and quality assurance procedures to measure and maintain the performance of radiographic and ancillary equipment. You will investigate the impact of technical factor selection on patient dose and image quality. Through these you will learn to make informed selections of technical parameters for radiographic procedures and to justify your decision-making.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites: MEDI12001 Radiation Science and MEDI12002 Science and Instrumentation 1 Co-requisite: MEDI12004 Medical Imaging Clinical Course 1 MEDI12005 Science & Instrumentation 2

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2018

Mackay

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
2. In-class Test(s)
Weighting: 60%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student - Have your say evaluation Unit Coordinator

Feedback

Revision tutorial

Recommendation

Maintain use of end of term consolidation tutorial to enable students to review and co-relate information learned during the term.

Feedback from Student - Have your say evaluation Unit Coordinator

Feedback

Assessment items

Recommendation

Keep the written/practical and In-class tests as assessments since they are effective in enabling students to focus on the key concepts.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator

Feedback

QC test data analysis

Recommendation

Some of the students struggled with data analysis for the different QC tests covered in the unit despite these being covered during the lectures, labs and tutorials. Creation of short videos showing sample data and calculations for different QC test procedures covered in the unit will be helpful.

Feedback from Student - Have your say evaluation Unit Coordinator

Feedback

Lab supervision

Recommendation

Have more explicit instructions and information about lab supervision in the unit Moodle site.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Assess the performance of radiographic and ancillary equipment relative to quality standards.
  2. Troubleshoot imaging faults and equipment problems.
  3. Assess radiographic images for various objective and subjective aspects of image quality.
  4. Relate radiographic equipment performance, use and technical parameter selection to patient dose and image quality.
  5. Justify the selection of technical parameters for a radiographic image in the context of the clinical circumstances.

Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia's Professional Capabilities Standards:

Domain 1: 3. Assume responsibility and accept accountability for clinical decisions.

Domain 3: 1. Apply critical and reflective thinking to resolve clinical challenges.

Domain 4: 1. Implement safe radiation practice appropriate to their division of registration. 2. Confirm and operate equipment safely and appropriate to their division of registration. 3. Maintain safety of self and others in the work environment appropriate to their division of registration. 4. Safely manage radiation and radioactivity in the environment.

Domain 5: 2. Apply principles of medical radiation physics and instrumentation.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - In-class Test(s) - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - In-class Test(s) - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

Additional Textbook Information


IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Reshmi Kumar Unit Coordinator
r.d.kumar@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Assessing radiographic image quality

  • subjective versus objective assessment
  • standard versus target exposure index 
  • deviation index
  • test tools for image quality measurement
  • Receiver operating curve, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, gold standard, true positive, false positive, true negative and false negative about diagnostic tests



Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab 1

Tutorial 1

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Selection of technical parameters in context of clinical circumstances

  • Clinical factors impacting performance demands of the imaging system and modification of techniques.


Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab 2

Tutorial 2

Week 8 Begin Date: 03 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Troubleshooting equipment problems

  • Identifying and using symptoms to find the cause
  • Systematic analysis using existing tools and processes
  • Image artifacts


Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab 3

Tutorial 3

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Quality Control (QC) and QC testing

  • Scope, process and documentation
  • Benefits of QC program
  • Performance standards
  • Evidence of compliance


Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab 4

Tutorial 4

Part 1 of Practical & Written Assessment due 12/08/18 at 4:00 PM AEST

Week 10 Begin Date: 17 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

QC testing of Radiographic & Ancillary Equipment - Part 1

  • QC testing for visual inspection/check of equipment
  • QC testing of generator
  • QC testing of bucky and grid



Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab 5

Tutorial 5

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

QC testing of Radiographic & Ancillary Equipment - Part 2

  • QC testing of CR image receptor and CR image reader
  • QC testing of DR detectors


Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab 6

Tutorial 6

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

QC testing of Radiographic & Ancillary Equipment - Part 3

  • QC testing of AEC system
  • QC testing of location controls


Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Lab 7

Tutorial 7

Part 2 of Practical & Written Assessment due 03/10/18 at 4:00 PM AEST

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In-Class Test

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

For any unit related queries, students can contact your unit coordinator, Reshmi Kumar, using the Q & A forum in the unit Moodle site or e-mail r.d.kumar@cqu.edu.au


This is a condensed unit that runs from Weeks 6 -14, as most of you are on placement during the first half of term. Being a six credit unit, you are still expected to commit 150 hours to the unit, which equates to about 16.5 hours per week over the 9 weeks. Tutorials are interactive sessions where your participation enables you to check your understanding of and your ability to apply the week's concepts and for you to build your skills in responding to test questions. Your regular and active participation strongly supports your success in the unit.


There will be a total of seven labs from Weeks 6 to 12. take note that you are to adhere to the Course Dress Code when using the Medical Imaging simulation labs and a zero-tolerance policy will be followed.


A suggested time budget for weekly study is:

  • 2 hours for lectures and taking notes
  • 2 hours for completing assigned readings
  • 2 hours for completing other posted learning activities
  • 2 hours for creating study notes to meet weekly learning goals using lectures and readings
  • 2 hours for working on posted tutorial questions in preparation for tutorial
  • 1 hour for participation in tutorial
  • 2 hours lab activity preparation and participation
  • 2 hours for preparation and/or revision for the In-class test
  • 1.5 hours for working on group assessment


There is no prescribed textbook for this unit - you will be provided with weekly reading resources in the unit Moodle site.


Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical & Written Asessment

Task Description

In the medical imaging profession, radiographic image acquisition and patient dose is highly dependent on the use of correct technical parameters and proper equipment performance. This assessment requires you to apply the concepts learned in this unit to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the importance of optimising patient dose and image quality. The concepts assessed are relevant to your future scope of practice and you will build upon them in your future clinical capacity.

There are two parts to this assessment:


Part 1 - Group Report (20%)

  • You will work as a lab group to create a small-scale single-blind study of the impact of technical factor selection on image quality.
  • Half of the class will be assigned a test using a subjective measure of image quality and the other half will be assigned an objective measure of image quality.
  • Your group will create a set of images for the blind study, then administer the blinded test to the members of 3 other lab groups to collect data. Students assigned to conduct the subjective test will take part in the objective test for the other lab groups and vice versa.
  • You will then analyse your data using Receiver Operating Curves.
  • As a group, you will discuss your experimental findings, compare it with theory you have studied to date and make recommendations for clinical application of your findings, particularly in optimising patient dose and image quality.
  • There will be one report submitted per group with the images or list of images in PACS as supporting evidence of your work.

Part 2 - Individual Submission (20 %)

You will be presented with evidence (which may include radiographs and/r technical data) of an equipment problem. You will submit an individual write-up. Your write-up must:

  • include an introduction, conclusion and referencing
  • use relevant theory to analyse the information provided to identify the problem and discuss possible implications of the problem on technical factor selection for specific clinical situations, image quality and patient absorbed dose

Your submission must be a word-processed document with appropriate layout including relevant headings and sub-headings that enable information to be easily read.

  • Acceptable file types are Word document (either .doc or .docx format) or pdf file that is a conversion of a word-processed document (NOT an image file such as a scanned document).
  • All submissions must be processed through TURNITIN.
  • Ensure that your document includes a header with your name and student number and a footer with the unit code and term/year.

Please note that further details regarding the requirements for this assessment will be provided on the unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Part 1 is due at 4:00 PM on 12/09/18 (Week 9). Part 2 is due at 4:00 PM on 03/10/18 (Week 12).


Return Date to Students

Part 1 feedback will be provided on 26/09/18 (Week 11). Part 2 feedback will be provided on 17/10/18 (Week 14).


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be graded using the following criteria:


Part 1 - Group report

  • Inclusion of correct images or image list from PACS 
  • Clarity and correctness of experimental findings and Receiver Operating Curves.
  • Selection and application of core concepts in analysis.
  • Factual correctness and relevance of recommendations for clinical application of findings.


Part 2 - Individual submission

  • Completeness of all required sections of the write-up listed in the Assessment task
  • Correct identification of problem and possible implications
  • Correct selection and application of core concepts in analysis
  • Factual correctness of explanations and discussions
  • Relevance of written content to core concepts


Further details will be posted on the unit Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Assess radiographic images for various objective and subjective aspects of image quality.
  • Relate radiographic equipment performance, use and technical parameter selection to patient dose and image quality.
  • Justify the selection of technical parameters for a radiographic image in the context of the clinical circumstances.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 In-class Test(s)

Assessment Title
In-class test

Task Description

This assessment requires you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of content in this unit. Each health profession possesses a body of knowledge, the fundamentals of which must be learnt and understood. The medical imaging profession has selected these concepts as relevant to your scope of practice and you will build upon them in your future clinical capacity. The purpose of this test is to assess your understanding of the topics related to Weeks 6 to 12 of the unit content as detailed in the posted weekly learning outcomes.


There will be a mixture of recall, problem solving and application of concepts to imaging situations type questions. This test is a closed-book assessment of 90 minutes and will be delivered at computer workstations so that you may view both text and visuals. You may choose to provide your test responses either in traditional pen-and-paper format or electronically at the workstation. You will have a five minute perusal time prior to the allotted writing time.


The total possible marks and the marks for each question will be indicated on the test paper. Further details of the test overview and mark allocation will be made available on the unit Moodle site.


This test must be written at the timetabled date and time. As per the Assessment Policy and Procedure, this task is to be completed during the defined period. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty. If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 30 minutes after the start of the test, however, you will still be required to submit your test at the standard test end time. You will not be allowed entry more than 30 minutes after the test starts. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time.


Assessment Due Date

The test is to be written during the designated timetabled session in Week 13.


Return Date to Students

General feedback will be provided within 2 weeks. Individualised feedback will be provided within 3 weeks.


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
50 %

Assessment Criteria

Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:

  • correct use of terminology
  • correct selection and application of core concepts to the specific content of the question
  • clarity, correctness, relevance and completeness of response in addressing the question that was asked


The number of marks for each question are allocated based on depth and breadth of the required response and will be indicated on the test paper.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Assess the performance of radiographic and ancillary equipment relative to quality standards.
  • Troubleshoot imaging faults and equipment problems.
  • Assess radiographic images for various objective and subjective aspects of image quality.
  • Relate radiographic equipment performance, use and technical parameter selection to patient dose and image quality.
  • Justify the selection of technical parameters for a radiographic image in the context of the clinical circumstances.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?