https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/MEDIMAGE/702/1255

MEDIMAGE 702 : Professional Issues in Medical Imaging

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students will investigate the concept of professional practice leading to an exploration of current professional issues relevant to medical imaging. The course will develop students' ability to reflect on, and respond to, the wide variety of professional, ethical, medico-legal and clinical workplace issues generated in a rapidly changing environment.

Course Overview

This course aims to provide students with the knowledge to interact ethically and with respect for the beliefs and values of individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. The course also addresses medico-legal issues, decision-making, cultural competence, clinical education and effective communication within the clinical setting, enabling students to reflect on their own clinical practice related to these issues.  In addition, students will consider the influences of fitness to practice, being a member of an interprofessional team, and emerging professional issues on their current and future practice. Learning activities and assessments are designed to support the development of not only clinical competency, but also growth holistically as a reflective practitioner.

The course is delivered fully online by distance via the University of Auckland’s learning management system ‘Canvas’. It incorporates a range of learning approaches including videos, webpages, links to the library databases and resources, and utilising online technologies to promote shared learning opportunities. Academic learning is expected to inform clinical practice and enhance levels of clinical competency.

While this course has no pre-requisites or restricted course requirements, enrolment is restricted to Medical Imaging Technologists (MITs), Radiation Therapists, and students enrolled in the PGDipHSc(MRI), PGDipHSc(Nuclear Medicine), PGDipHSc (Cardiac Ultrasound), and PGDipHSc(Ultrasound) programmes. This course is compulsory for the PGDipHSc(MRI), PGDipHSc(Nuclear Medicine), PGDipHSc (Cardiac Ultrasound), PGDipHSc(Ultrasound), and PGDipHSc/PGCertHSc(Medical Imaging) programmes. The course is suitable to be undertaken as a one-off course (Certificate of Proficiency) for registered MITs for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director and Course Coordinator
Dr Sibusiso Mdletshe
Senior Lecturer and PG Director (Medical Imaging)
Email: sibusiso.mdletshe@auckland.ac.nz
https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/sibusiso-mdletshe 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically evaluate the development and evolvement of Medical Imaging as a profession, including advanced practice. (Capability 3 and 8)
  2. Examine how communication, interpersonal and interprofessional dynamics impact on their role as a Medical Imaging practitioner. (Capability 6 and 7)
  3. Critically examine a broad range of ethical and medico-legal issues relevant to Medical Imaging practice. (Capability 4 and 8)
  4. Critically examine principles of cultural competence that contribute to patient-centred care, and understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the context of medical imaging. (Capability 1 and 4)
  5. Analyse the processes of clinical decision making and professional judgement, including the concept of autonomous practice. (Capability 4 and 5)
  6. Define fitness to practise in Medical Imaging by critically reflecting on each of the above topics within their clinical practice. (Capability 4 and 8)
  7. Critically reflect on factors that contribute to personal and professional development (Capability 2 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Presentation 30% Individual Coursework
Reflection 30% Individual Coursework
3 types 100%
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments
Presentation
Reflection
The following must be noted for this course:
  • This course is 100% internally assessed. An aggregated mark of 50% or more is required to successfully pass this course. 
  • Resubmission of failed assessments is not permitted. 
  • In addition to achieving an overall pass mark, it is a requirement to attempt and submit all the assessments related to this course.
  • Formative assessments (including discussion forums) will be used give you the opportunity to revise/engage on the content covered. 
  • Penalties for excessive word count and/or late submission (without prior written approval for an extension) will be applied in accordance with the 'Medical Imaging Assessment Requirements and Presentation Criteria' document.
  • The course Canvas page has more detailed information on assessment processes and requirements.

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15-point course represents approximately 150 hours of study.  This equates to approximately 12 hours per week and may be broken down as follows:

  • Set readings relevant to professional practice (30 hours)
  • On-line interactive group tasks (30 hours)
  • Assignments and self-directed learning (90 hours)
The course is delivered over 12 academic weeks with each week covering a different topic. 

Delivery Mode

Online

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.

This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

It is important that you are familiar with the following documents:
  • MRTB Competence Standards - https://www.mrtboard.org.nz/assets_mrtb/Uploads/20240918-2024-Sep-MRTB-Competence-Standards.pdf
  • MRTB Policy: Cultural Competence - https://www.mrtboard.org.nz/assets_mrtb/Uploads/2018-Jun-V1-MRT-Cultural-Competence.pdf
  • CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION THERAPY PRACTITIONERS IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND - https://www.mrtboard.org.nz/assets_mrtb/Uploads/2019-Dec-V4-MRT-Code-of-Conduct.pdf

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Postgraduate courses do not have a class representative; instead, they have programme/specialisation representatives who can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of Studies. Contact details for these representatives may be found in the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Programme Information on Canvas.

The students who responded to the course evaluation in 2024 highlighted several aspects that were positive including weekly reminders, valued engaging in dialogue with peers via the discussion forum, well-spaced assessment and feedback provided, and the communication between the course coordinator and peers as part of the community of learners.  Key aspects that were highlighted as needing improvement included the assessment workload which was perceived to be higher than the other PG courses, balance weekly content as some weeks had too much content, clarity of assessment criteria, and additional guidance on assessment requirements and more transparency in marking rubric applications. 

The above feedback was considered in revising the course for 2025 delivery and the revision was also aligned to that the course has a new course director and course coordinator. 

Other Information

Communication
All official communication to a student will be sent to the student’s current University email address (username@aucklanduni.ac.nz) and the student is responsible for ensuring that any desired forwarding to other addresses is in place and operating correctly. Staff will not be responsible for any consequences if students fail to read and respond to University correspondence in a timely manner.

Students are encouraged to use the course ‘Discussion’ forum on Canvas as much as possible for communication with staff and other students. Email may be used for more private matters. Email communication to University staff and supervisors must be sent from the student’s University email address.

As a general rule, students are advised to log-on at least twice a week. Logging on regularly allows regular checking of 'Announcements' as well as reading and responding to messages from peers on 'Discussions'.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

The way to avoid plagiarism is to reference your work. Please refer to the following website for further information about academic referencing: www.cite.auckland.ac.nz/

The Student Academic Conduct Statute (2021) provides further advice on how to avoid plagiarism. More information can be found in the ‘Medical Imaging Programme Information’ on Canvas.

The penalties for plagiarism can be severe, including losing some or all of the marks for the assignment. Major offences can be sent to the University’s Discipline Committee, where further penalties can be imposed.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Contact details for the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representatives may be found in the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Programme Information on Canvas.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Fitness to practise (FTP)
As health professional students, in addition to meeting the University of Auckland graduate profile capabilities, students in the Medical Imaging postgraduate programmes are required to demonstrate their fitness to practise. This applies to students at all times, whether they are on campus, on placement or elsewhere.

Fitness to practise (FTP) is concerned primarily with patient and public safety. It also is concerned with upholding professional standards, including the relevant professional code of conduct, and contributing to the maintenance of the reputation of the profession and public confidence in the profession.

For further information visit FMHS Fitness to Practise Policy (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-to-practise/fmhs-fitness-to-practise-policy.html)

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.