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 apply the concepts of quality control testing and quality assurance to monitor equipment performance, detect performance issues and document findings. 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 MEDI12002 Science and Instrumentation 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 3 - 2021

Mixed Mode

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

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. Online Test
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 Have your say Unit Coordinator self reflection

Feedback

The availability of shorter lecture videos have been well received by students.

Recommendation

Maintain the availability of shorter lecture video recordings for future iterations of the unit.

Feedback from Have your say Unit Coordinator self reflection

Feedback

Some students needed further assistance with understanding the assessment requirements and scoring.

Recommendation

Update the instructional video describing the assessment tasks to include examples of poor and good approaches with respect to the marking rubric to encourage better understanding of the assessment requirements and marking rubric(s) by the students.

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. Apply metrics of image quality to describe and evaluate visibility and accuracy of radiographic images
  4. Relate radiographic equipment performance and the selection of image acquisition and processing parameters to patient dose and image quality
  5. Critically appraise evidence to inform decision-making in balancing dose and image optimisation.

The unit links to the following Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practitioners as detailed by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (effective March 2020):

Domain 4: Evidence-informed practitioner practitioner:

  • 1. Resolve challenges through application of critical thinking and reflective practice (Part a: Identify the challenge or question and the information that is needed to respond and Part b: Find, critically appraise, interpret and apply best available research evidence to inform clinical reasoning and professional decision-making)

Domain 5: Radiation safety and risk manager:

  • 1. Perform and provide safe radiation practice (Part a: Comply with relevant radiation safety legislation)
  • 3. Implement quality assurance processes imaging or treating patients/clients (Part a: Check and confirm that all equipment is in good order and operating within acceptable parameters, Part b: Follow protocols to record details of all routine equipment checks, Part c: Identify and take appropriate action to correct unacceptable condition or operation of all equipment & Part d: Follow protocols to record and report non-conformance of all equipment.

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 - Online Test - 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
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

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
OFFERING 1: Module 1 - Radiographic equipment performance, patient dose, image quality and observer variability tests Begin Date: 08 Nov 2021

Module/Topic

  • Review of image quality and key factors affecting it
  • Subjective versus objective assessment of image quality
  • Standard versus target exposure index
  • Deviation index
  • Image artifacts: Types, causes, appearances and prevention
  • Review of image acquisition and processing parameters impacting performance demands of the imaging system
  • Modification of image acquisition and processing parameters to balance dose and optimise images
  • Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, gold standard, true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN) and false negative (FN) in diagnostic tests
  • Receiver operating curves

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 1 for Offering 1

OFFERING 1: Module 2 - Visual Inspection & QC testing of collimator, bucky, grid, generator and AEC Begin Date: 15 Nov 2021

Module/Topic

  • QC testing for visual inspection/check of equipment
  • Light beam alignment test
  • Location control/détente test
  • Grid alignment test
  • Grid uniformity test
  • kV compensation test
  • AEC reproducibility test
  • AEC patient thickness compensation test
  • Half value layer (HVL) test
  • Radiation output test
  • kVp reproducibility test
  • Reciprocity test
  • Linearity test

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 2 for Offering 1

OFFERING 1: Module 3 - QC testing of digital systems & Residential school Begin Date: 22 Nov 2021

Module/Topic

  • CR image plate spot check, inspection and cleaning
  • Background dark noise
  • Ghosting or erasure test
  • Flat field test
  • Display monitor testing
  • DR detector calibration

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 3 for Offering 1


Part 1 of ROC, image and dose optimisation report due on Monday 22/11/21 at 11:45 pm AEST for Offering 1


3-day Residential school for Offering 1 (Wed 24/11/2021 - Fri 26/11/2021)

OFFERING 1: Module 4 - Quality management, quality assurance and quality control Begin Date: 29 Nov 2021

Module/Topic

  • Quality management in medical imaging
  • Scope, process and documentation of QA and QC
  • Benefits of QA and QC program
  • Performance standards
  • Evidence of compliance
  • Test tools for image quality measurement
  • Remedial and suspension actions

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 4 for Offering 1

OFFERING 1: Module 5 - Troubleshooting equipment faults Begin Date: 06 Dec 2021

Module/Topic

  • Identifying and using symptoms to find the cause
  • Systematic analysis using existing tools and processes
  • Consolidation of quality improvement processes

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 5 for Offering 1


OFFERING 1: Consolidation & review Begin Date: 13 Dec 2021

Module/Topic

Consolidation & review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 6 for Offering 1


Part 2 of ROC, image and dose optimisation report due on Monday 13/12/2021 at 11:45 pm AEST for Offering 1

OFFERING 1: Independent consolidation & Review Begin Date: 20 Dec 2021

Module/Topic

Independent consolidation and preparation for summative online test.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 27 Dec 2021

Module/Topic

University vacation week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

OFFERING 2: Module 1 - Radiographic equipment performance, patient dose and image quality Begin Date: 03 Jan 2022

Module/Topic

  • Review of image quality and key factors affecting it
  • Subjective versus objective assessment of image quality
  • Standard versus target exposure index
  • Deviation index
  • Review of image acquisition and processing parameters impacting performance demands of the imaging system
  • Modification of image acquisition and processing parameters to balance dose and optimise images
  • Sensitivity and specificity
  • Accuracy and gold standard
  • True positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN) and false negative (FN) about diagnostic tests
  • Receiver operating curves
  • Image artifacts: Types, causes and their appearances
  • Preventing and/or minimising impact of image artifacts on image quality

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 1 for Offering 2


Summative Online test for Offering 1 on Wednesday 05/01/2022

OFFERING 2: Module 2 - Visual Inspection & QC testing of collimator, bucky, grid, generator and AEC Begin Date: 10 Jan 2022

Module/Topic

  • QC testing for visual inspection/check of equipment
  • Light beam alignment test
  • Location control/détente test
  • Grid alignment test
  • Grid uniformity test
  • kV compensation test
  • AEC reproducibility test
  • AEC patient thickness compensation test
  • Half value layer (HVL) test
  • Radiation output test
  • kVp reproducibility test
  • Reciprocity test
  • Linearity test

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 2 for Offering 2

OFFERING 2: Module 3 - QC testing of digital systems & Residential school Begin Date: 17 Jan 2022

Module/Topic

  • CR image plate spot check, inspection and cleaning
  • Background dark noise
  • Ghosting or erasure test
  • Flat field test
  • Display monitor testing
  • DR detector calibration

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 3 for Offering 1


Part 1 of ROC, image and dose optimisation report due on Monday 17/01/22 at 11:45 pm AEST for Offering 2


3-day Residential school for Offering 2 (Wed 19/01/2022 - Fri 21/01/2022)

OFFERING 2: Module 4 - Quality management, quality assurance and quality control Begin Date: 24 Jan 2022

Module/Topic

  • Quality management in medical imaging
  • Scope, process and documentation of QA and QC
  • Benefits of QA and QC program
  • Performance standards
  • Evidence of compliance
  • Test tools for image quality measurement
  • Remedial and suspension actions

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 4 for Offering 2

OFFERING 2: Module 5 - Troubleshooting equipment faults Begin Date: 31 Jan 2022

Module/Topic

  • Identifying and using symptoms to find the cause
  • Systematic analysis using existing tools and processes
  • Consolidation of quality improvement processes

Chapter

Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 5 for Offering 2

OFFERING 2: Consolidation & review Begin Date: 07 Feb 2022

Module/Topic

Consolidation & review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online tutorial 6 for Offering 2


Part 2 of ROC, image and dose optimisation report due on Monday 07/02/2022 at 11:45 pm AEST for Offering 2

OFFERING 2: Assessment week Begin Date: 14 Feb 2022

Module/Topic

Independent consolidation and preparation for summative online test.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Summative Online test for Offering 2 on Wednesday 16/02/2022

Term Specific Information

MEDI12007 Quality Processes for Dose and Image Optimisation will be delivered in a condensed format spread over seven (7) weeks. Since most of you will be undertaking clinical placement either in the first half or the second half of term, there will be two offerings (Offering 1 and Offering 2) of the unit to take this into account. Offering 1 will be from 08/11/2021 - 05/01/2022 and Offering 2 will be from 03/01/2022 - 16/02/2022).  You will be taking the offering which runs when you are NOT on clinical placement.


There will be a 3-day compulsory residential school from 24/11/2021 - 26/11/2021 for Offering 1 and 19/01/2022 - 21/01/2022 for Offering 2. All the three days of residential school will be from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. You must attend the residential school for the offering that you are enrolled in. Take note that you must adhere to the Course Dress Code when using the Medical Imaging simulation labs and a zero-tolerance policy will be followed.


As this is a six credit unit, you are expected to commit 150 hours to the unit over the seven (7) weeks. The first five weeks of each block are in intensive format where you should expect to commit about 22-25 hours per week in Weeks 1, 2, 4 and 5 and about 35 hours in the res school week.

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
ROC, image and dose optimisation report

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 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 - Image and dose optimisation report (20%)

  • You will be presented with evidence (which may include radiographs and or technical data) related to a specific clinical situation.
  • You will critically appraise the information to discuss the possible implications of the evidence on radiographic equipment performance, image quality and patient dose.
  • You will use theory you have studied to date to make recommendations that support informed decisions on balancing dose and optimising image quality in this specific clinical circumstance. Further details will be posted on the unit Moodle site.
  • The word count limit is 1500 words +/- 10% excluding references.
  • You will submit this work individually through the submission link on the unit Moodle site.


Part 2 - Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) report (20%)

  • During your Residential school, 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 at least 2 other lab groups to collect data. Students assigned to conduct the subjective test will take part in the objective test for the other groups and vice versa.
  • You will then analyse your data using the 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 applications of your findings, particularly in optimising patient dose and image quality. Further details will be posted on the unit Moodle site.
  • The word count limit is 2500 words +/- 10% excluding references.
  • There will be one report submitted per group with the images or list of images in PACS as supporting evidence of your work. The mark and feedback will apply to each group member named on the front page of the submission.


Assessment Due Date

For Offering 1: Part 1 due on Monday 22/11/2021 at 11:45 pm AEST and Part 2 due on Monday 13/12/2021 at 11:45 pm AEST. For Offering 2: Part 1 due on Monday 17/01/2022 at 11:45 pm AEST and Part 2 due Monday 07/02/2022 at 11:45 pm AEST.


Return Date to Students

Feedback for each part will be provided within two weeks of the due date for the part.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be graded using the following criteria:

Part 1: Image and dose optimisation report

  • Completeness of all required sections of the write-up listed in the Assessment task
  • Clarity and relevance of introduction and conclusion
  • 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
  • Selection of and correct acknowledgement of authoritative information sources
  • Adherence to word count limit

Part 2: Receiver operating curves (ROC) report

  • Completeness of all required sections of the write-up listed in the Assessment task
  • Clarity and relevance of introduction and conclusion
  • 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
  • Selection of and correct acknowledgement of authoritative information sources
  • Adherence to word count limit

Further details will be posted on the unit Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
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.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply metrics of image quality to describe and evaluate visibility and accuracy of radiographic images
  • Relate radiographic equipment performance and the selection of image acquisition and processing parameters to patient dose and image quality
  • Critically appraise evidence to inform decision-making in balancing dose and image optimisation.

2 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online test

Task Description

You will complete a summative online test in Week 7 if you are taking Offering 1 and Week 13 if you are taking Offering 2 of the unit. The aim of this online test is for you to demonstrate your ability to apply the concepts and the use of correct terminology from Modules 1 - 5 of the unit. All questions will be based on the posted weekly learning goals. Question tasks will be of the same types that you will practice in the weekly tutorials. These tasks may include analysis of projected diagrams, photographs and/or radiographs to explain and discuss concepts. There will be a mixture of problem solving and application of concepts to imaging situations type questions.


This is an open book test, however, you must be mindful of the time you are taking to answer each question and have an understanding of the content and familiarity with your resources to use them effectively. It means that during the test you may access your study notes, textbook, the unit Moodle site and/or any website. The standards of academic integrity still apply. This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual and all responses must be your own work. Colluding with other students on non-group work is considered academic misconduct. Just as for written assignments, you must acknowledge intellectual content in your answers that is not your own work. Basic statements of facts are considered 'common knowledge' in the context of this unit so they do not need to be cited. However, if you copy any explanation content word-for-word from ANY source, you must put that content in quotation marks and formally cite your source.


This test is a timed online test via Moodle and will be open for three hours. Although this is an open book test, the expectation is that you will be familiar with the unit content and concepts. You should not assume you will have time to look up the answer to every question. As per the assessment Procedures, this test must be written at the timetabled date and time. 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 submitted it by the scheduled date and time. If you start the test late, you will still be required to submit at the stated closing time.


Assessment Due Date

This test is to be completed on Wednesday 05/01/2022 for Offering 1 and Wednesday 16/02/2022 for Offering 2, beginning at 9:00am AEST and will be for a duration of 180 minutes, closing at 12:00pm AEST.


Return Date to Students

At certification of grade.


Weighting
60%

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 the response in addressing the question that was asked


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


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
  • Apply metrics of image quality to describe and evaluate visibility and accuracy of radiographic images
  • Relate radiographic equipment performance and the selection of image acquisition and processing parameters to patient dose and image quality

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?