Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Practice 3

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Practice 3

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

RADI1140

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Workplace

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010

Course Coordinator: Evan Read

Course Coordinator Phone: 9925 7998

Course Coordinator Email: evan.read@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.08.25


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course builds on the student’s abilities in the clinical practice of nuclear medicine established in second year. It continues to develop skills in reflective practice.

Prerequisites:

  • RADI1127 Nuclear Medicine Methods 2
  • RADI1129 Nuclear Medicine Practice 2
  • ONPS2346 Nuclear Medicine Technology 2

Co-requisite:

  • RADI 1138 Nuclear Medicine Methods 3


Course Description

This course aims to consolidate the student’s understanding of the practice of clinical Nuclear Medicine gained in second year, as well as extend their experience and workplace activities to encompass areas of advanced Nuclear Medicine practice. Through direct patient contact, real workplace experience, directed assignment work and the collection of case studies, this course will continue to develop the student’s understanding of the use of radionuclides in medicine, as well as their skills and attitude toward the safe, responsible, professional and confident application of these procedures. Students will also be encouraged to appreciate the many legal and ethical issues associated with being a practitioner in the healthcare environment. The application of theory in the co-requisite course Nuclear Medicine Methods 3, will be explored in a practical way, developing capabilities in the safe handling of radiopharmaceuticals.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On successful completion of this course, in addition to the intermediate skills base developed during second year, the student should be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of the appropriate type of acquisition in more advanced procedures
  • Demonstrate ability in interpreting and understanding the basics of any request form
  • Demonstrate sound image analysis skills
  • Demonstrate some expertise in image processing and data analysis techniques;
  • Demonstrate understanding and experience related to SPECT reconstruction
  • Elution of Generator systems
  • Quality control of radiopharmaceuticals
  • Understand the legalities and issues associated with radioactive waste disposal
  • Demonstrated skill in both the dilution and manipulation of reconstituted radiopharmaceuticals





Overview of Learning Activities

This course is a workplace course, and as such will comprise a five week placement in an accredited centre, and be supervised by a qualified practitioner. The learning activities will comprise of actual clinical practice, threaded discussion participation, tutorial attendance and presentation.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will attend the workplace for a five week placment and may participate in a rotation to a PET centre.
Students will be encouraged to gain a deeper understanding of procedures in which they are involved.
As such, students should be encouraged to:
1. Generate an overview of procedures. This includes being able to interpret the request and understand the pathology involved, procedure performed, results obtained.
2. Be present at clinical reporting sessions to gain understanding in how diagnoses are made.
3. Complete the technical aspects of the studies they are involved in, including the individual aspects of each study and demonstrate knowledge of the interpretation of the results obtained.
4. Demonstrate an awareness of the patient’s needs both physical and psychological and demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate response to those needs.

The focus of the student’s attention should be on building their expertise in the professional performance of common Nuclear Medicine procedures, the development of lab skills [hot and cold lab, and cell labelling techniques] and the consolidation of their skills in patient care and occupational health and safety.


Overview of Assessment

1. Specific Assessment
Students will be assessed on their ability to undertake specific tasks relating to their capability development as outlined in the objectives. In particular students will be assessed on their ability to work safely in the laboratory and in the handling of unsealed radioactive sources

2. Periodic Assessment
These assessments are designed to provide the student with general feedback concerning their progress (skills, understanding and attitudes) toward the clinical practice of Nuclear Medicine. Students will be expected to demonstrate development of critical thinking and reflective practice capabilities.

3. Workplace assignments
Students will complete workplace assignments (including patient case studies and the professional development reflective journal) to allow them to demonstrate their understanding of the practical applications of theory of Nuclear Medicine.