Overview
In this unit you will apply your foundation knowledge of radiation science and human anatomy to the study of radiographic imaging. You will learn the principles of image geometry and technical factor selection that underpin radiographic technique and apply this technique to the acquisition of standard projection radiographs of the musculoskeletal system. You will learn to position the beam, patient and image receptor to produce standard radiographic appearances. You will be able to perform basic critique of the images and discuss the anatomical structures demonstrated on the images.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites:MEDI12008 - Foundations of Radiation ScienceCHIR12004 - Applied Anatomy and Physiology for ChiropractorsCHIR12008 - Neuromuscular Anatomy 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 1 - 2023
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Coordinator reflection & discussion with the Medical Imaging teaching team
One pass/fail assessment is cognitive in nature and showed a wide range of quality of responses. One assessment is a competency assessment but is currently graded and may artificially raise the overall grade for the unit.
Review the assessment strategy for this unit to more accurately represent the assessment philosophy and assessment types.
Feedback from Student email and SUTE comments
Some students did not see the value in this unit as they did not feel that they would ever image a patient.
Chiropractors may apply for a radiation use licence to operate x-ray equipment and image patients. As such, all Chiropractic students must learn and demonstrate competency in radiographic techniques to be able to image patients safely. Additional emphasis will be offered in the early stage of this unit, to explain why this is a core unit in their course.
Feedback from Coordinator reflection, student conversations and SUTE
There were technical issues with the VR and with using Zoom with the VR for supervised labs in early weeks, rendering some labs inoperable. These were fixed for later weeks. The majority of technical issues were traced to operator error due to lack of familiarity with standard start-up and operating processes.
Investigate how better to complete inductions for students in the use of VR and Zoom to remediate problems.
- Discuss the fundamental concepts of radiographic technique
- Apply the fundamental concepts of radiographic technique and radiation science to controlling the appearances of projection radiographs
- Perform set-ups of imaging equipment and patients to produce skeletal radiographs safely and effectively at an advanced beginner level
- Discuss the radiographic appearances of anatomical structures on standard skeletal projection radiographs
- Critique radiographic images at an advanced beginner level.
- Present reasoned adjustments to image set-ups and image acquisition parameters to modify visibility of required anatomical information and/or patient dose.
This unit supports students in the attainment of the following Competency Standards of the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia:
1.1 Complies with legal and ethical requirements
Adheres to relevant legislation, common law, codes, standards and other policy regulating chiropractic conduct and practice
1.4 Demonstrates professional integrity
Applies principles of risk management and quality improvement to practice
3.3 Obtains the results of clinical, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures necessary to inform care
Refers for or conducts imaging where clinically indicated
3.5 Critically analyses information available to generate a clinical impression
Demonstrates knowledge of diagnostic imaging techniques and procedures, including indications and limitations of available imaging modalities
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||
2 - Laboratory/Practical - 0% | ||||||
3 - Portfolio - 30% | ||||||
4 - Practical Assessment - 0% | ||||||
5 - Online Test - 50% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
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
Yochum and Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology
Edition: 3rd (2004)
Authors: Yochum T, Rowe L (Ed)
Lippincot, Williams and Wilkins
Philadelphia Philadelphia , Pa , United States of America
ISBN: 9780781739467
Binding: Hardcover
Radiographic imaging and exposure
Edition: 6th (2021)
Authors: Terri L. Fauber
Elsevier
USA
ISBN: 978-0-323-66139-3
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.macdonald@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to radiographic technique
Beam geometry
Chapter
Fauber Ch 6 Exposure Technique Factors
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Technical factors, the beam and anode heating
Adjustment to technical factors
Chapter
Fauber Ch 8 Exposure Technique Selection
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Principles of image critique
Chapter
Fauber Ch 9 Image Evaluation
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiography workflow
Introduction to radiographic imaging of the spine
Chapter
Readings presented on Moodle site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiographic imaging of the cervical spine
Chapter
Chapter 1 pages 22 - 39 & pages 48,49
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiographic imaging of the lumbar spine
Chapter
Chapter 1 pages 50 - 79
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiographic imaging of the thoracic spine, chest and ribs
Chapter
Chapter 1 pages 40 - 47
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiographic imaging of the pelvis and hips
Chapter
Chapter 1 pages 80 - 81 & 84 - 89
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiographic imaging of the shoulder girdle
Chapter
Chapter 1 pages 134 - 145
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiographic imaging of the hand, wrist and elbow
Chapter
Chapter 1 pages 146 - 171
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Radiographic imaging of the foot, ankle and knee
Chapter
Chapter 1 pages 90 - 129
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Consolidation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Image Evaluation Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical assessment during timetabled sessions
End of Term Test Due: Review/Exam Week Tuesday (6 June 2023) 2:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical assessment during timetabled sessions
Practical Assessment Due: Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
The unit coordinator for MEDI13007 is Lauren MacDonald.
During the term I may be off campus or teaching another unit. For this reason the preferred method of initial contact is via email.
E: l.macdonald@cqu.edu.au| Ph: 07 49407818|EXT57818
As a 6-credit unit you are expected to spend 10 to 12 hours per week on this unit. It is important to budget your time and maintain adequate contact with the unit. A suggested weekly time budget is shown below.
- Pre-reading and preparation - 2 hours per week
- Watching lecture presentations and making notes - 3 hours per week
- Preparing for and attending tutorials - 2 hours per week
- Attending campus for compulsory supervised VR imaging labs and practice (unsupervised) VR imaging labs - 4 hours per week
- Studying for and completing assessment tasks - 18 hours over the course of the unit
All lecture materials for this unit are recorded. You must have completed the pre-reading and watched the lecture presentations before attending your scheduled VR imaging lab. All tutorials are conducted via Zoom and tutorial questions will be posted on the unit Moodle site prior to each tutorial to enable preparation. If fewer than 3 students attend a tutorial, that session will not be recorded.
Each week you will have 3 on-campus imaging lab sessions. One is an instructed lab class using the VR system and is video-conferenced. The other 2 sessions are weekly lab practice sessions with classmates using the VR system to develop your radiographic technique skills.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
It is important that you understand the underlying principles of radiographic imaging to enable you to image patients safely and effectively. This online quiz will assess your understanding prior to you applying those principles in the virtual skills labs.
You will complete an online quiz which will assess your knowledge and understanding of concepts covered in weeks 1 - 2 of term. The quiz will have a range of question formats. Question tasks will be similar to the type you will practice in tutorials and formative quizzes. Some answers may require diagrams to be labelled. Calculations may be required.
The online quiz will be time-limited, and once you open the quiz you will not be able to pause or re-start it. Once opened the quiz will remain open for 45 minutes and will then automatically close. Any unanswered or unsaved responses will receive zero marks.
The quiz must be written within the allocated time. In the absence of an approved extension there will be no opportunity for you to complete this assessment at a later time and you will receive a score of zero for this assessment task.
You must undertake the test as individuals and not with classmates or others. As with all other University assessments, colluding with other students on a non-group work task is considered academic misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with the Student Academic Integrity Policy. The test is open-book, but be mindful of the time-limited nature of the test. If you answer the questions using any text other than lectures or the prescribed text, you must cite your sources using the Harvard referencing system. Failure to cite sources constitutes academic misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance of the relevant policy. It is important that you understand the underlying principles of radiographic imaging to enable you to image patients safely and effectively. This online quiz will assess your understanding prior to you applying those principles in the virtual skills labs.
1
Week 3 Thursday (23 Mar 2023) 4:00 pm AEST
The test will open at 10am AEST on Thursday 23rd March 2023 and close at 4pm AEST on Thursday 23rd March 2023
The results will be released as soon as all students have had the opportunity to complete it, including those with approved extensions.
Your responses are scored on the following criteria:
- correct use of terminology
- factual correctness of presented material
- relevance of stated content to the question asked
- application of foundation concepts to the question asked
- clarity, thoroughness and completeness of explanations
The marks allocated for each question will be indicated in the question.
- Discuss the fundamental concepts of radiographic technique
- Apply the fundamental concepts of radiographic technique and radiation science to controlling the appearances of projection radiographs
- Present reasoned adjustments to image set-ups and image acquisition parameters to modify visibility of required anatomical information and/or patient dose.
2 Laboratory/Practical
It is vital for chiropractors to develop knowledge and skills in radiographic imaging.
From Week 5 onward, you are scheduled to participate in three hands-on labs per week using the fully immersive Virtual Reality (VR) radiography learning system located at your campus. These sessions support your ability to apply radiographic technique correctly in planning and carrying out radiographic examinations in a simulated clinical environment. One weekly lab is instructed and the other two weekly sessions are for group practice of the week’s radiographic examinations.
In each instructed session you will be part of a lab group of four students. You will be on campus in the VR lab room while also connected on Zoom with your group and tutor. Each session will be recorded.
You and your group members will perform full simulated radiographic examinations, including preparation of the patient and equipment, set-up of the x-ray tube, patient and image receptor, selecting technical parameters, taking the exposure and viewing the resultant radiographic image. You will prepare your patient by obtaining informed consent and verifying pregnancy status.
In each instructed lab session, two students will be selected by the tutor to carry out simulated radiographic examinations while the other group members observe on Zoom. Following each simulation performance the group will debrief. During the debrief, the observers will provide to the performer specific feedback on performance relative to the required criteria. Whether you are performing or providing peer feedback, you will need to be familiar with the radiographic projections for that week in order to participate. During Weeks 5 – 11, you and your group will be performing radiographic projections from the list for that week. In Week 12, the projections may be from any of those weeks. Over period of eight weeks each member of your group will have the opportunity to perform four projections and provide peer feedback on twelve simulations.
Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023)
This task is assessed on:
- Engagement by providing peer feedback on at least 6 simulation performances by other group members AND performing at least 3 simulations of projections selected by the tutor.
To achieve a grade of 'Pass' for this task you must:
- attend a minimum of six virtual labs, offering peer feedback on 6 performances and
- complete a minimum of three radiographic examinations in the virtual labs.
No submission method provided.
- Perform set-ups of imaging equipment and patients to produce skeletal radiographs safely and effectively at an advanced beginner level
3 Portfolio
It is important that Chiropractors have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely and effectively image patients. This involves patient positioning, equipment set-up and appropriate technical factor selection. Another important aspect is the ability to evaluate resultant images for technical sufficiency.
You will use the Skilitics Virtual Radiography system to perform simulations of radiographic examinations. This includes positioning the x-ray tube, patient and image receptor, selecting the technical parameters and capturing the radiographs. You will then evaluate the technical sufficiency of images that you have acquired, documenting your evaluation using the supplied proforma. In tutorials you will practice image evaluation using the proforma to support your understanding of the depth of response required for each section and the appropriate use of technical terminology to articulate your responses.
The images that you will acquire and evaluate will be from the list of radiographic projections that you are expected to learn and perform each week. You must include two images from each week’s projection listing from Weeks 5 – 11 inclusive, for a total of fourteen (14) assessed images.
You will compile your evaluated images and their documented evaluations into a portfolio. The required structure of your portfolio document will be detailed on the Moodle site.
Note that the radiographs themselves are not being scored. Whether or not the radiograph that you produce would meet all acceptance criteria is not being assessed here. It is your evaluation of your images that is being assessed. You are demonstrating that you know how each radiograph ought to appear, that you are able to determine whether or not your image matches the expected appearances and that if it does not, you would know how to correct that. Your responses on your proforma will need to address the image that you have acquired and thus will not necessarily be the same as those of your classmates.
Not all of your image evaluations will be assessed. Your submissions will be scored with the marker selecting two (2) image evaluations at random for assessment.
Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 4:00 pm AEST
Results will be returned within 2-weeks of the submission date
This portfolio is assessed on the following aspects:
- Completeness relative to the requirements stated in the Task Description regarding the number and type of projection images and their evaluations. All 14 image evaluations must be submitted. Any submissions containing less than 14 submissions will receive a mark of zero for this assessment task.
- Correctness and completeness of the scored image evaluations
To receive any marks for each individual factor you MUST correctly determine if the image meets acceptance criteria in each of the stated factors. If this section is incorrect, no marks will be awarded for that factor. If the follow-up action section is left blank, no marks will be awarded for that factor.
Each image evaluation has nine (9) individual factors. Each factor is scored as 1, 0.5 or 0 using the criteria stated below. The maximum possible score for one image evaluation is nine (9) points.
You will receive full marks for each factor if:
- You correctly determine whether the image meets acceptance criteria AND
- You correctly and completely justify the decision regarding whether the factor meets acceptance criteria, describing the acceptance requirements and comparing this with the image being evaluated AND
- You correctly and completely describe any follow-up action required to improve each factor if that factor does not meet acceptance criteria. If no follow-up action is required, this must be stated explicitly. Leaving this section blank will garner zero marks for that factor.
You will receive half-marks for each factor if:
- You have correctly determined if the image meets acceptance criteria AND
- Your justification regarding whether the factor meets acceptance criteria is mostly correct and complete, with only 1 or 2 errors or omissions OR
- Your follow-up action required to improve each factor if that factor does not meet acceptance criteria is mostly correct and complete, with 1 or 2 errors or omissions. If no follow-up action is required, this must be stated explicitly.
You will receive zero marks for each factor if:
- You incorrectly determine the image meets acceptance criteria in each of the stated factors OR
- You have left the section related to follow-up action blank OR
- Your justification is significantly incomplete or inaccurate OR
- Your stated follow-up action is significantly incomplete or inaccurate OR
- Both the justification AND follow up action demonstrate 1 or 2 errors or omissions.
- Apply the fundamental concepts of radiographic technique and radiation science to controlling the appearances of projection radiographs
- Critique radiographic images at an advanced beginner level.
- Present reasoned adjustments to image set-ups and image acquisition parameters to modify visibility of required anatomical information and/or patient dose.
4 Practical Assessment
In this unit you are developing the knowledge and psychomotor skills required for correct radiographic positioning and use of radiographic equipment. These skills are prerequisites to your clinical practice in your Masters study, during which you will perform radiographic examinations on clinic patients.
In this assessment, you will perform a high fidelity simulation two-projection radiographic examination. This will be completed using the full immersion Virtual Reality (VR) radiographic learning system, available on all participating campuses. Zoom videoconferencing technology with a webcam will be used to capture both your VR activities and your in-room actions. The session will be recorded.
You will be tasked to complete two radiographic projections (one for the spine and one on a non-spine body part), as selected by your marker at random from the list of projections studied during the term. You will have 10 minutes to complete the simulated radiographic examination, including:
- Completing safety checks, explaining the procedure and obtaining informed consent
- Positioning of the patient
- Set-up of the equipment (tube, collimation, side marker and image receptor)
- Selection of technical parameters at the control panel
- Generating the ‘exposure’ after suitably instructing your patient
Please note:
- This is a timed assessment. You will have 10 minutes to complete the practical tasks. If you have not completed the tasks within 10 minutes, the assessment will be stopped and you will be marked based on your performance to that point.
- This assessment task will be recorded to enable moderation.
- You must complete the tasks without reference to any guidance resources such as notes, texts or electronic devices.
- If you do not meet minimum requirements on your first attempt you will be given one additional opportunity to be re-assessed. The re-attempt will be scheduled within 7 calendar days of receiving the scores and feedback of the original assessment.
- A detailed marking rubric demonstrating the requirements of the practical aspects of the assessment are posted on the unit Moodle site.
Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
This assessment must be completed during the timetabled assessment sessions in Exam week 13 and 14.
Individual practical assessments will be timetabled during Exam week.
You will be marked on the following criteria:
- Correct, explicit and clear explanation of the procedures
- Explicit informed consent sought
- Correct position of the person or limb relative to the required projection
- Correct position and centring of the x-ray tube relative to the required projection
- Correct positioning of the image receptor
- Accurate and safe use of the equipment
- Adherence to medico-legal requirements in relation to the use of ionising radiation
Each aspect has a minimum score to pass. Some tasks are of a more critical nature than others, therefore require a higher level of performance.
To achieve a 'Pass' in this assessment, you must meet the minimum requirements for all tasks within the assessment as set out in the marking rubric.
- Perform set-ups of imaging equipment and patients to produce skeletal radiographs safely and effectively at an advanced beginner level
5 Online Test
You will complete a 90 minute online test during the university review week. The purpose of this test is for you to demonstrate your understanding and ability to apply the concepts and correct use of the terminology from all weeks of the unit content.
The questions may include but are not limited to naming anatomy on an image, critiquing an image in terms of technical sufficiency, suggesting ways to improve the technical sufficiency of the image, critiquing the patient position relative to a stated projection, or explaining the science underpinning why a stated projection is completed as it is. Content from all weeks may be assessed. The number of marks available for each question will be indicated on the test.
The quiz must be completed within the allocated time. In the absence of an approved extension there will be no opportunity for you to complete this assessment at a later time and you will receive a score of zero for this assessment task.
You must undertake the test as individuals and not with classmates or others. As with all other University assessments, colluding with other students on a non-group work task is considered academic misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with the Student Academic Integrity Policy. The test is open-book, but be mindful of the time-limited nature of the test. If you answer the questions using any text other than lectures or the prescribed text, you must cite your sources using the Harvard referencing system. Failure to cite sources constitutes academic misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance of the relevant policy.
Review/Exam Week Tuesday (6 June 2023) 2:00 pm AEST
The test will open at 12 noon and close at 2pm AEST (QLD time)
Results will be released within 2-weeks of the due date.
You will be marked on the following criteria:
- correct use of terminology
- factual correctness of presented material
- relevance of stated content to the question asked
- application of foundation concepts to the question asked
- clarity, thoroughness and completeness of explanations
The marks allocated for each question will be indicated in the question information.
- Discuss the fundamental concepts of radiographic technique
- Apply the fundamental concepts of radiographic technique and radiation science to controlling the appearances of projection radiographs
- Discuss the radiographic appearances of anatomical structures on standard skeletal projection radiographs
- Critique radiographic images at an advanced beginner level.
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.