Explore UCD

UCD Home >

RDGY30880

Academic Year 2024/2025

DXA & Breast Imaging (RDGY30880)

Subject:
Radiography
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Ms Éilish McDermott
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will develop students understanding of mammography as a fundamental part of the breast imaging pathway. It will explore current and future breast imaging techniques which are based on the principles of mammography. It will also develop the students’ knowledge base across a number of modalities used in breast imaging and students will come to understand that this pathway as a cohesive mix of modalities and skill sets. It will also introduce the student to patient pathways within both the breast screening service and symptomatic hospital-based breast service, comparing and contrasting these similar yet very distinct pathways, with a focus on the role of mammography in these pathways.

The student will also learn the importance of quality assurance and quality control particularly relating to mammography. This module will focus heavily on the patient, and how the role of the radiographer can optimise the patients experience in mammography.

This module will also develop the students’ fundamental knowledge base in DXA imaging, focusing not only on the fundamental principles but also developing the student’s knowledge and appreciation for the importance of reproducibility, reliability and variability in DXA imaging. It will do this by developing the students understanding of the operational and technical skills necessary to produce the optimal scan results required for analysis, interpretation and reporting. This module will develop students understanding of the principles of serial DXA scanning, and will also focus on the patients pathway in DXA imaging.
The roles and responsibilities of the radiographer will be discussed and evidence based, safe legal practice will be emphasised in relation to the above areas

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be expected to understand DXA positioning and scanning techniques and understand image acquisition, analysis and generating results.
Students will be expected to have a basic knowledge of the standard projections used in mammography, and an awareness of the additional views, and when they are used.
Students will be expected to understand the differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic presentations and will be expected to understand the specific needs of patients attending for mammography.

Students will be expected to understand and describe patient preparation, procedural techniques, equipment, radiation safety, working as a team, patient care considerations and image appraisal for DXA and mammography images covered in the module.
Understand the concept of serial scanning techniques and protocols
Understand the importance of the role of the radiographer in producing reliable results in DXA imaging.
Analyse and critically evaluate their understanding of international best practice guidelines and the influence of best practice on local protocol in both mammography and DXA imaging.
Students should also be able to discuss the role of the radiographer for these imaging procedures.


The module will facilitate the development of professional skills in the exploration of DXA and Mammography practice with a focus on patient care, the importance of communication and working within a multi-disciplinary team.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Lectures

10
Conversation Class

5
Online Learning

10
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in this module wil include include a combination of the following: lectures, SDL, active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning; case-based learning;

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will carry out a group assignment relating to the mammography content taught throughout the module Week 12, Week 14 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will carry out an individual assignment relating to the DXA content taught in this module Week 6, Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will prepare a refletive piece on an aspect of the module Week 12, Week 14 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 11:00 - 12:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.