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DXA Reporting for Clinicians

About this module

  • When you've successfully completed this short course you'll have the reporting skills for interpreting DXA scans.
  • You can study it as a stand alone course, or as part of the Postgraduate Certificate in DXA Reporting.
  • You'll be supported by a range of healthcare professionals who reflect the clinical diversity in the management of fracture risk.

Learning Beyond Registration

Learning Beyond Registration (LBR) is a vital part of developing competent, capable health service practitioners prepared to deliver a dynamic, flexible, quality, client-focused service. If you're employed by the NHS in the East Midlands then you may be eligible for fee-free access to our LBR modules and/or programmes. You'll need to supply evidence of approval from your line manager and Trust Education Lead when you apply.

Find out more about LBR at Find out more at www.derby.ac.uk/lbr.

Continuing Professional Development

CPD is a core element of every health and social care professional's development journey. We have CPD modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels (levels 6 and 7), which have all been tailored to meet the needs of practitioners and managers working within the health and social care sectors. We have modules to suit nurses, occupational therapists, hand therapists, radiographers, psychotherapists, and those working within complementary therapies.

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Fact file

Which professions is this module aimed at? All Health Professionals

Course code:7RD506

Start date: January

Module level: Level 7

Which modules do I need to take with this one?

This course covers central DXA - it does not cover peripheral DXA or quantitative ultrasound (QUS).

You'll study these topics:

  • Normal and osteoporatic appearances on DXA images, including an understanding of normal variants
  • The clinical risk factors that affect BMD
  • Artefacts and confounding factors, such as patient positioning
  • The radiographic appearance of vertebral fracture on lateral DXA images
  • Treatment thresholds for different patient groups
  • Treatment protocols
  • The significance of changes in DXA results with time and the implications for treatment
  • The effect of treatment on DXA results
  • Quantitative and semi-quantitative vertebral fracture assessment, including fracture risk assessment
  • Common pitfalls of interpreting DXA scan results
  • Normal ranges
  • Records and record keeping
  • Radiation protection and IRMER
  • Terminology and writing reports
  • Governance framework.

Learning outcomes

The course is equivalent to two modules at masters level 7. The course lasts for about 36 weeks, but is dependent on the time you need to develop your portfolio of evidence.

We've taken a multidisciplinary approach to developing this course, so you will benefit from learning with people from different professions, to improve your knowledge and understanding of DXA scans.

You'll attend a minimum of four study days which will support your learning, provide keynote lectures, case study discussions in small groups, and viewing of scan sessions. These interactive study days are an integral part of this course.

Following the study days, you'll develop a reflective portfolio of 100 cases, where you have independently reported on BMD results and commented on normal variants, artefacts and appearances in the image. You'll need to include a broad range of examples that reflect the diversity of your patient populations. 20 of your reports will need to include detailed reflective practice. Your report should include treatment recommendations  to agreed local protocols, which you'll need to include in your portfolio. You must present an audit of your reports compared with those of a trained practitioner. Your portfolio will need to be signed off by the trained practitioner who is your mentor in practice. You must ensure you have the support of a suitably appropriate mentor prior to admission on to the programme.

You'll be required to attend University on the following days:

  • Study days 1 and 2 - Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 January 2014
  • Study days 3 and 4 - Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 May 2014
  • Examination - Wednesday 17 September 2014
  • Coursework is due in Friday 10 October 2014

If you are interested in applying for this programme please contact Angie Snow, a.snow@derby.ac.uk, 01332 591703.  When applying it is extremely important that you state the code for this programme (MSc Advanced Practice, MB9CP) and indicate which modules you wish to enrol on in the 'Statement in support of your application' section. Failure to do this will delay your application and future studies.

Fees and finance

Course fee is £990

Studying via LBR

If you're employed by the NHS in the East Midlands you may be eligible for fee-free access to out LBR modules. You'll need to supply evidence of approval from your line manager and Trust Education Lead when you apply. Find out more at www.derby.ac.uk/lbr

Self-funded CPD

If you're self-funding, then the team you need to contact depends upon how you wish to study. Some modules are available online whereas others are studied on campus, through distance learning or a mixture of the two.

Where will I study?

This module is delivered as blended learning. You will attend four study days at our Kedleston Road site, and you'll review material online and work closely with your mentor in clinical practice.

Contact details

Course enquiries

Angie Snow - 01332 591703

To find out more about studying this module through the LBR scheme, please contact the LBR team:

T: 0800 678 3311
E: lbr@derby.ac.uk.

For campus, blended or distance learning modules please contact the Faculty team:

T: +44 (0)1332 591703
E: fehs@derby.ac.uk