Computed Tomography: Principles and Applications for Diagnosis and Treatment

Aim of the Module

The aim of the module is to allow learners working with CT to gain the knowledge and skills to develop a more in depth understanding of the theoretical applications of CT in order to enhance practice and service provision.

The Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

L1 demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical principles of image production, optimisation and manipulation including the role of image quality in patient diagnosis;

L2 demonstrate a critical awareness of the principles, function and necessity of hardware and software options;

L3 critically analyse and evaluate the safety considerations and mechanisms of quality assurance;

L4 critically evaluate the role of the radiographer within the scanning facility;

L5 demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the importance of operating within the limits of one’s own knowledge in and appreciate the important implications of this for clinical practice.

To obtain a Pass you must gain a minimum of 50% for the written assignment The DPPR PG rubric will be used to provide feedback on the academic achievement of the assignment, the marking criteria directly links with the assignment guidelines. Please note: the rubric criteria are not equally weighted but provide an indication of the level of achievement for each criterion. The assessment guidelines will refer to the rubric criteria which can also be found at the end of this document.

Data Protection

• You must not include any identifiable information in the reflective accounts or essay including staff or patient’s names, specific dates, hospital names, dates of  birth.

• Inclusion of any identifiable data will result in a ‘Fail’ and possibly instigate disciplinary proceedings.

Assignment Title

Critically evaluate the role of computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of a chosen pathology. Include the following in your writing:

• a clear introduction and conclusion;

• a critical understanding of the principles involved in CT image acquisition;

• a critical understanding of associated hardware and software;

• a critical evaluation of the patient journey and associated service provision;

• an evaluation of appropriate guidelines;

• sensitivity and specificity of CT in the diagnosis of your chosen pathology.

• a narrow focus should be identified to assure adequate depth of discussion;

• extensive and balanced literature sources should be included to inform the discussion;

• anonymised images can be included in the body of the text or as appendices.

The essay should be fully referenced as per QMU guidelines with a word limit of 3000 +/- 10%.

Learning Outcomes

If you are outside of this word limit then your mark will be capped at 50%.

• Appendices not included in the word count

• Referencing in text included in the word count

• Reference list not included in the word count

All modular learning outcomes are relevant to the written assignment.

The main focus of the essay:

Criterion 1 demonstrate an understanding of CT practice and the patient pathway associated with the chosen pathology;

Criterion 2 demonstrate a critical understanding of theories and concepts central to CT practice;

Criterion 3 include high quality sources and comprehension of the literature as well as demonstrating the awareness of the strength and limitations of the selectedevidence whilst linking theory to practice;

Criterion 4 demonstrate an ability to sythesise ideas and concepts central to professional practice in CT and the patient pathway in relation to the chosen medical condition;

Criterion 5 demonstrate ability to challenge current CT imaging techniques in relation to the chosen medical condition;

Criterion 6 correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling as well as accurate terminology and image labelling;

Criterion 7 include accurate referencing in the text and reference list in line with ‘QMU Write and Cite’;

Criterion 8 critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge and thinking with respect to current CT practice.

Guidelines for the Presentation

• Presented on single sides of A4 paper

• Font style Arial, font size 11

• Double spaced except for the Abstract, References and Appendices which should be single spaced

• All text left aligned (non-justified)

• Margins: left 4 cm; right 2.5 cm; top and bottom 2.5 cm each

• Quotations of three lines or more to be indented and single spaced

• Harvard referenced according to the current QMU Write and Cite guidelines

• Titles to be positioned below figures and above tables

• Numbers below 10 to be written in full unless followed by measurement units

• Page numbers in the footer, centered and sequential

• Bold or underlined headings and sub-headings may be used at your own discretion

• QMU matriculation number only in the header

Submission Instructions

Submission to the reassessment dropbox: by 12:00pm 27th July 2020

Prior to submitting any assessment to the Hub for marking you should complete the table below and copy it to the front page of your assessment.

Matriculation Number

Module Code

Module Title

Assessment title if applicable (e.g. if you have been given a choice of topics state the topic you have chosen) Word Count

Do you have an agreed extended submission date for this assessment e.g.  agreed individual learning plan or agreed extenuating circumstances?

Submission to an incorrect dropbox will result in the assessment not being marked and a mark of ‘Non-submission’ awarded. Please retain confirmation of submission, in case this evidence is required.

• Assignment feedback will be released through the Student Portal, you will receive an email when the marks and feedback have been released.

• Feedback will be released in 15 working days, post submission date, in line with QMU policy.

• If the feedback is delayed an announcement will be posted on the Hub.

• If you have an extension to the original submission date, feedback will be released 15 working days from the date of submission.

Turnitin Submission Guidelines

Assessment Regulations & Guidance on Making a Submission By submitting your assessments you have agreed that you have read and understood the Queen Margaret University assessment regulations.

Assessment Regulations

• In line with QMU Assessment Regulations, students are reminded that it is their responsibility to submit all work for assessments in accordance with the requirements of

the course; you will not receive any communication should you fail to submit your assessments.

• Any student who submits work to be assessed after the assessment submission date and time, without the prior agreement of the Programme Leader, or without good or agreed cause, will have marks deducted according to the following criteria:

• If submitted as a first diet after the deadline but up to and including 6 days after the deadline a maximum mark of 50% for postgraduate programmes.

• After the above time a mark of 0% will be awarded

• By submitting your assignment you are confirming that you understand the Queen Margaret University Assessment Regulations and that all marks and feedback released are provisional until confirmed by the Board of Examiners.

To submit your final work for marking you must submit it in the Assessment Dropbox. Submitting your work in the Similarity Checker Tool does not count as a submission.

Once you have submitted in the Assessment Dropbox you will be sent an email receipt to your QMU email address confirming you have successfully submitted, please retain this for  future reference. You will not receive an originality report upon submission. To receive an originality report prior to submission, process your work through the Similarity Checker Tool.