MEDIMAGE 714 : Fundamentals of Clinical MRI

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides a fundamental understanding of MRI technology and applications and addresses scientific principles of the modality including resonance and relaxation, image contrast, spatial encoding, and digital image formation. Students will examine components of the clinical environment including MRI equipment, contrast agents, bio-effects and safety. In addition, students will analyse standard imaging protocols of the lumbar spine, knee and brain and normal and abnormal MR imaging appearances of these areas.

Course Overview

This course aims to provide students with specialised theoretical knowledge and an understanding of the underlying scientific principles of MR technology. The student will develop the ability to apply this knowledge in the safe use of MRI equipment for clinical and/or research purposes. In particular, this course will investigate the use of standard protocols in relation to a selection of common MR imaging applications. 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.
            
This course is compulsory for the PGDipHSc(MRI) programme and is a pre-requisite for all other MRI-specific postgraduate courses. This course is suitable to be undertaken as a one-off course (Certificate of Proficiency) for registered Medical Imaging Technologists for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Access to a clinical MRI department is highly recommended.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts underpinning MRI technology. (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  2. Examine aspects of patient care within the MRI environment including claustrophobia, cultural competence and paediatric considerations. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. Critically discuss bio-effects and safety issues within the MRI environment, evaluating underlying physical principles and how these are applied for safe clinical practice. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  4. Compare and contrast the molecular structure and safety profiles of a range of gadolinium-based contrast agents. (Capability 3.1 and 6.2)
  5. Differentiate and explain normal and abnormal MR imaging appearances of the lumbar spine, knee and brain. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 3.1)
  6. Make informed clinical judgements with regard to the selection of standard imaging protocols, technical parameters and the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in relation to the lumbar spine, knee and brain. (Capability 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Peerwise MCQs 30% Individual Coursework
Short Answer Questions 20% Individual Coursework
Clinical Case Analysis 30% Individual Coursework
MCQ and Image Evaluation Test 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Peerwise MCQs
Short Answer Questions
Clinical Case Analysis
MCQ and Image Evaluation Test

This course is 100% internally assessed. An aggregated mark of 50% or more is required to successfully pass this course. The course Canvas page has more detailed information on assessment processes and requirements.

Learning Resources

The required textbook for this course is:
             Workbook for sectional anatomy for imaging professionals (4th ed.)
              Lorrie Kelley and Connie Petersen
              St. Louis: Elsevier/Mosby c2018

Students will be required to purchase a copy of this workbook.

Other course materials are made available in the course website located in the University’s learning platform Canvas, which also includes reading lists (where available). A large selection of other resources will be able to be accessed online via the Philson Library databases.

Course Contacts

Course Coordinator
Adrienne Young
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: aj.young@auckland.ac.nz
https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/people/aj-young

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 MRI theory (40 hours)
  • Other resources provided on Canvas e.g. videos, websites (10 hours)
  • Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours)

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.

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'.

In the event of an unexpected disruption
We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all 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. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinator will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

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)

Digital 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.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 document ‘Guidelines: Conduct of Coursework’ provides further advice on how to avoid plagiarism. It 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.

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 at 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.

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. However, the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representative (Bridgette Place) can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of Studies. Bridgette may be contacted by email at bpla537@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Students who responded to the course SET evaluations in 2019 agreed that the course content was well organised, the aims of the course and assessment strategy were clear, and they found the course intellectually stimulating. Students identified the Canvas 'Conferences', ‘Discussions’ forums, resources, course content, focus questions, assignments and feedback as the most helpful aspects of the course for their learning. Changes that have been implemented in response to the student feedback include the introduction of more ‘Conferences’, and an increase in the percentage assigned to the PeerWise assessment.

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).

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.

Published on 09/07/2020 09:06 a.m.