Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge Outcomes:
Throughout this module, students will further develop and consolidate the knowledge, professional skills and personal attributes relevant to their future professional practice in MRI in a manner that is largely self-directed. On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:
K1) Apply best practice guidelines regarding MR safety, equipment usage and practical scanning to clinical decision-making and problem-solving in MRI.
K2) Justify, optimise and, where appropriate, modify the MR scanning protocol and/or sequence parameters in the context of patient presentation, clinical indications and image quality optimisation.
K3) Critically appraise MR parameters and reflect on their effect on image quality.
K4) Critically evaluate MR images in the context of technical quality, normal appearances, and patterns associated with disease, suggesting improvement or technique modification strategies where appropriate.
K5) Consider, for each MR examination type, the differential diagnosis and reach a radiographic conclusion.
Professional Skills & Competence Outcomes:
The module will facilitate the development of professional clinical skills required to enable students to determine the optimal approach to MRI department management and patient scanning in diverse clinical situations. On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:
S1) Effectively manage the organisational elements of MR imaging service provision.
S2) Communicate effectively with patients, carers and clinical colleagues concerning patient care and/or aspects of MR practice.
S3) Assess the psychological and physical capabilities of patients presenting for MRI and apply response strategies appropriate to their individual needs.
S4) Apply the knowledge and skills necessary to competently perform MR examinations of the CNS, head & neck, musculoskeletal system, abdomen, pelvis and vascular system.
Attitudes & Quality / Personal Development Outcomes:
The module aims to encourage the student’s development as an effective member of the healthcare team, with the ability to manage the MRI department effectively. On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:
A1) Negotiate appropriate clinical experience necessary to achieve the module learning outcomes.
A2) Set and achieve suitable goals to develop their clinical learning and foster clinical competence.
A3) Reflect on personal knowledge of professional MR imaging practice and identify approaches to develop their personal expertise.
A4) Reflect on and critically appraise individual technical and professional performance relative to best practice.
Indicative Module Content:
This module addresses the application of a range of topics that inform and direct clinical MR scanning practice across a range of anatomical regions. These include:
1) the principles and practical applications of MR safety;
2) patient set-up, care and management during routine and emergency situations;
3) selection, set-up and use of MR scanner and accessory equipment;
4) MR image acquisition, management (i.e., post-processing and archival) together with interpretation of normal and abnormal appearances with justification for appropriate pulse sequences for MR examinations of the brain, spine, head & neck, musculo-skeletal, body and vascular systems.