MEDIMAGE 721 : MRI Safety

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Extends students’ understanding of the underlying physical principles related to a range of MRI safety issues. The course will provide students with the opportunity to explore these safety issues in greater depth and to apply this knowledge in critically evaluating current policies and practices. New and emerging safety topics will also be examined.

Course Overview

This course aims to extend students’ theoretical knowledge underpinning MRI safety issues. Students will further develop their ability to contribute confidently to the clinical decision-making process when encountering safety issues in the MRI environment.

The course is offered in semester 1 and is delivered fully online by distance via the University of Auckland’s learning management system ‘Canvas’. It will incorporate a range of learning approaches including videos, webpages, links to the library databases and resources, and utilising online technologies to promote shared learning opportunities. The course has been divided into modules, each one being delivered to support a corresponding framework for preparation of the assessments, completion of which is mandatory in order to meet the course requirements. In addition, an optional preparatory pre-course module has been provided to ensure sound understanding of the foundation knowledge expected from the students’ previous studies.

For those students within one of the postgraduate Medical Imaging programmes, it is expected that their academic learning will inform their clinical practice and enhance their level of clinical competency. As such, the course resources, learning activities and assessments within the Medical Imaging programmes are specifically designed to support the development of not only clinical competency, but also growth holistically as a reflective practitioner. All other students will gain the same knowledge with the potential to apply this in their future careers.

Based on Miller's Pyramid of Assessment which provides a framework for assessing clinical competence in medical and health science education, the resources, learning activities and assessments within this course are designed to increase knowledge of MRI safety issues and the underlying physical principles (‘Knows’), and to develop skills in applying this knowledge to ensure that students know how to establish and maintain a safe MRI environment (‘Knows How’).

Students within the PGDipHSc(MRI) are encouraged to select this course as their elective option. For all other students, departmental approval is required and a concession request must be submitted when applying to enrol in this course. This course is suitable to be undertaken as a one-off course (Certificate of Proficiency) for registered Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologists for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDIMAGE 714

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 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss general principles relevant to patient safety in the medical environment and apply these in the context of MRI. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  2. Explain the underlying physical principles related to a range of MRI safety issues. (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  3. Critically evaluate current MRI safety practices, recommending and justifying modifications to these practices based on current literature. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
  4. Discuss emerging MRI safety issues and assess their potential impact on current clinical practice. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2)
  5. Analyse the roles and responsibilities of various staff (including self) in relation to maintaining a safe MRI environment. (Capability 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  6. Create resources suitable for sharing with work colleagues to educate them on MRI safety issues and current best practice. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  7. Using an evidence-based approach, evaluate a range of MRI safety scenarios and collaborate with peers to make recommendations for safe practice. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Short Answer Questions 30% Individual Coursework
Presentation 30% Individual Coursework
Case-Based Discussions 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Short Answer Questions
Presentation
Case-Based Discussions
The course Canvas page has detailed information on assessment processes and minimum pass rates.

Learning Resources

There are no required textbooks for this course. Students will be directed to a large selection of readings and other resources that will be able to be accessed online via Canvas and 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.

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.

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 evaluation in 2019 agreed that the assessments supported the aims of the course, they gained knowledge which they considered valuable, and that overall they were satisfied with the quality of this course. Students identified the range of safety scenarios in the assessment, and the discussions with other classmates as the most helpful aspects of the course for their learning. Changes that have been implemented in response to the student feedback include an increase in the number of assignments from two to three to enable more frequent feedback, and Canvas Conferences will be introduced to enable face-to-face contact with teaching staff.

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 07/01/2020 10:15 a.m.