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RDGY41830

Academic Year 2025/2026

Referring for radiology (RDGY41830)

Subject:
Radiography
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Ms Philomena Donohoe
Trimester:
Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Professional/Work Placement Module
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and competence to refer persons safely for radiological examinations. Only designated persons (medical doctors, dentists, radiographers, nurses and physiotherapists with approved education and training) can refer individiuals for medical radiation exposures in Ireland. This module will facilitate the development of practice competence under the supervision of a designated clinical supervisor within the scope of practice of the individual student. Students must complete a minimum of ten supervised episodes of referral with competency sign off on completion by the clinical supervisor.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this postgraduate programme, students should be able to:
● Critically utilise evidence-based knowledge and skill in conducting a person’s assessment and consultation to achieve a holistic approach to a person’s care when referring for medical radiological procedures.
● Apply clinical decision-making skills in relation to referring persons for medical radiological imaging procedures within their scope of practice.
● Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework associated with referral for medical radiological procedures, including professional guidelines, supporting safe practice.
● Understand the role of the practitioner in the referral process.
● Know the justification process.
● Demonstrate an understanding of medical radiological procedures and their implication in a person’s safety.
● Understand the principles of radiation protection of the person and staff.
● Demonstrate effective communication skills and knowledge of the role of the multidisciplinary team management involved for the safe and appropriate use of medical radiological procedures.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will include content on
- the physics of ionising radiation
- the clinical application, strengths and weaknesses of a range of imaging modalities in diagnostic imaging
- the potential biological risks associated with ionising radiation exposure in particular to sensitive cohorts such as children and persons who are pregnant or child bearing age
- the legislative and regulatory framework governing the use of ionising radiation for medical use, in particular requirements for referrers
- the principles of radiation protection
- the use of imaging referral guidelines in radiology
- how to appropriately communicate benefit risk information to patients and their carers related to medical exposures
- the post-referral process including how to manage unexpected, critical findings and incident reporting
- the importance of audit for quality improvement purposes

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Placement/Work Experience

100

Online Learning

10

Total

220


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a blended learning module, with approximately half of the content delivered asynchronously via the UCD virtual learning environment to facilitate busy working health professionals. A single day of attendance in UCD will be used to deliver the remaining content and will focus on student centred active learning to ensure learners can discuss and better understand important aspects of the programme. Following successful completion of a knowledge based examination, learners will practically apply knowledge to the practice of referring a patient for a radiological procedure under the supervision of a designated clinical supervisor using real life clinical case scenarios.

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
Exam (Online): Students will complete a multiple choice based examination which they must pass prior to commencing their clinical practice Week 5 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
40
Yes
Portfolio: Students complete 10 episodes of referring for a radiological procedure as a demonstration of competence Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
30
Yes
Practical Skills Assessment: Clincal supervisors will assess the students competence at safe referral of patients for radiological procedures. Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
10
Yes
Reflective Assignment: Students will complete a video presentation reflecting on their learning to date on the programme. Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive automated feedback on their MCQ performance along with group feedback on the reflective assessment. Individual feedback will be provided on competency assessments and progress in the clinical environment from the clinical supervisor

European Commission (2014) Guidelines on radiation protection education and training of medical professionals in the European Union. Radiation Protection No. 175. Located at: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/175.pdf. Accessed 25th April 2022.

Government of Ireland (2018) European Union (Basic safety standards for protection against dangers arising from medical exposure to ionizing radiation) Regulations 2018. Statutory Instrument No. 256 of 2018. Located at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/256/. Accessed 13/09/21

The Royal College of Radiologists (2024) iRefer guidelines: Making the best use of clinical radiology, 8th edn. London: The Royal College of Radiologists.

Name Role
Dr Catherine D'Helft Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Shane Foley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Éilish McDermott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rachel Toomey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Exam Offering 1 Week(s) - 0 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 5 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 19 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 37 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Summer Lecture Offering 51 Week(s) - 0 Fri 09:00 - 16:50