https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/MEDIMAGE/720/1233

MEDIMAGE 720 : Fundamentals of Clinical Nuclear Medicine

Medical and Health Sciences

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides students with knowledge of the fundamental scientific principles of nuclear medicine. Students will examine components of the clinical environment in the context of patient care and safety. In addition, students will evaluate common clinical applications, developing the ability to analyse standard imaging protocols and explain normal and altered biodistribution and nuclear medicine imaging appearances.

Course Overview

This course aims to provide students with specialised theoretical knowledge and an understanding of the fundamental physical principles of Nuclear Medicine technology and radiopharmacy. The student will develop the ability to apply this knowledge in the safe use of radiopharmaceuticals and Nuclear Medicine equipment for clinical and/or research purposes in adults and peadiatric patients. In particular, this course will investigate common pathologies and the use of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT imaging techniques and protocols in relation to the skeletal system. 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(Nuclear Medicine) programme and is a pre-requisite for all other nuclear medicine-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 Nuclear Medicine department is highly recommended.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director and Coordinator
Dr Pippa Bresser
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: pippa.bresser@auckland.ac.nz
https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/pippa-bresser

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
Graduate Profile: Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts underpinning Nuclear Medicine technology. (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  2. Examine aspects of patient care within the Nuclear Medicine environment including anxiety, claustrophobia, cultural competence and peadiatric considerations. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. Critically discuss bio-effects and safety issues within the Nuclear Medicine 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. Differentiate and explain normal and altered radiopharmaceutical biodistribution on Nuclear Medicine images of the skeletal system. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 3.1)
  5. Make informed clinical judgements with regard to the selection of radiopharmaceuticals and protocols in relation to the skeletal system. (Capability 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1)
  6. Apply an evidence-based approach to clinical decision-making and problem solving. (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
4 types 100%
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. Resubmission of failed assessments is not permitted.
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 Nuclear Medicine theory and clinical practice (40 hours)
  • Other resources provided on Canvas e.g. videos, websites (10 hours)
  • Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours)

Delivery Mode

Online

The course will include live online events including tutorials and these will be recorded.
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.

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.

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 Representatives can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of Studies. Contact details for these representatives may be found on all of the postgraduate Medical Imaging courses in Canvas.

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 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.

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.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.