Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Practice 4

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Practice 4

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

RADI1141

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010

Course Coordinator: see Part B Guide

Course Coordinator Phone: see Part B Guide

Course Coordinator Email: see Part B Guide

Course Coordinator Availability: Appointments arranged by e-mail


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course builds on the student’s intermediate abilities in the clinical practice of nuclear medicine and consolidates skills in reflective practice ethical issues and community awareness.

Prerequisites:

RADI1140 Nuclear Medicine Practice 3

ONPS2351 Nuclear Medicine Technology 3

Co-requisite:

 RADI 1139 Nuclear Medicine Methods 4


Course Description

This course aims to consolidate the student’s capabilities practice of clinical Nuclear Medicine to a level commensurate with the requirements to progress to their intern year. This will include the need to extend their experience and workplace activities to encompass areas of advanced Nuclear Medicine practice. Through direct patient contact and real workplace experience, this course aims to consolidate the student’s skills and attitudes toward being a safe, responsible, professional and confident health professional.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The capabilities addressed by this course include the ability to problem solve by first identifying opportunities and then to develop and appropriately test solutions within the clinical environment. The student will also have the ability to gather and utilise a wide range of resources in order to investigate issues and to critically analyse and accurately present research findings related to nuclear medicine.


On successful completion of this course, in addition to the requirements for Nuclear Medicine Practice 3, the student should be able to:

Place emphasis on the first principles of image acquisition, not just working from protocols;
Demonstrate an understanding of sophisticated image processing and data analysis techniques;
Understand the need to achieve diagnostic results from studies, not just fulfilling predefined protocol requirements.
Demonstrate their understanding of the effects of timing of interventional medications.
Recognise the limitations of studies and imaging systems.
Understand the origins and supply of radionuclides and kits, i.e. how and where they can be obtained, approximate costs and delivery schedules.
Radiopharmaceutical behaviour / biodistribution and how to recognise unusual behaviour.
Radiation safety issues including therapy.
Demonstrate an understanding of the issues involved in radiation dosimetry and patient care in paediatric nuclear medicine.
Demonstrate an understanding of the application of imaging principles and processing requirements of PET.
Demonstrate an understanding the applications of radiation safety requirements of PET, including shielding and effective time management.
Time management skills
Ability to plan ahead and prepare for the day’s work and advanced reflective practice skills
Well developed patient, professional communication skills and community awareness.


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is a workplace course, and as such will comprise a four (4) week placement in an accredited centre, and supervised by an appropriately qualified practitioner. The learning activities will comprise of actual clinical practice, threaded discussion participation, tutorial attendance and workplace assignments.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will attend the workplace for a four (4) week placement and will participate in a rotation to a PET centre.
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 “hot lab” skills and consolidating their skills in patient care and occupational health and safety. Students will participate in tutorials designed to develop advanced skills in critical image analysis and reflective practice.


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 be required to complete several assignments (such as patient case studies and a professional development reflective journal) to allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the practical applications of Nuclear Medicine theory.