Diagnostic Radiography with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons)

The module will incorporate both theoretical and practical learning to enable students to apply their knowledge of the human body.

The module will be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions, employing a range of active learning approaches. Lectures will introduce students to fundamental theories, while problem-based learning in tutorials will be used to consolidate students' understanding of the key concepts. Students will also undertake chemistry-based laboratory experiments to apply the theoretical concepts in a practical context and gain basic laboratory skills. Indicative content will include states of matter, atomic structure, trends in the periodic table, rates of reactions and catalysis in applied biological and forensic chemistry.

In addition to refining these practical skills you will be set objectives to explore other areas of professional practice, such as safe manipulation of the imaging equipment, infection control principles, the basic principles of patient care and aspects of communication, with a level of exploration of Interprofessional working.

You will also learn about the use of contrast agents in the imaging department; you will become aware of some of the basic chemistry, the safety issues and how they are administered in practice.  Once you have established this understanding you will then go onto review a number of commonly performed contrast agent examinations; principally focusing on the chest and abdomen

The integration of radiographic technique with the evaluation of normal radiographic appearances will enable you to apply your knowledge and understanding to clinical practice.

Students will evaluate evidence and appraise how it influences practice. There will be an emphasis on practical research which can influence patient/service user care/experience, as well as looking at how research can influence service delivery, alongside the role of audit and service evaluation in this context too. In developing a ‘research ready’ graduate it is useful to look to inspiring examples from current practice, as well as understanding how research and evidence based practice fits into the career framework for radiographers. In evaluating practice it is vital that practitioners can appraise sources of information in terms of accuracy and reliability, so you will also be introduced to critical appraisal tools and techniques.

You will be exposed to patients with varying needs, e.g. paediatrics, elderly and the critically ill. You will be expected to develop skills to adapt to differing and more challenging situations, whilst working in partnership with other professions. You will explore a number of typical patient journeys, using patient stories as a trigger for discussion and research, through the healthcare setting to enable you to gain an overview of the many factors that are considered integral to patient-centred care.

The module further develops your evaluation of practice by offering placements in other imaging modalities and specialist practice areas (such as Angiography, Interventional, Paediatric etc) thus extending the range of imaging examinations and modalities you experience. In addition to refining these practical skills, you will be set objectives to explore other areas of professional practice. For example, at this stage, the roles of teamwork and a multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare are examined and the role of other imaging modalities is explored.

You will be developing your existing communication skills but now you will be focussing specifically on various patient groups (to include cultural issues, those affected by genetic conditions, children, elderly etc..) to help ensure the health and safety of patients and to be able to consider the psychosocial aspects of care for the patients and the wider carer/family circle. To support the quality and effectiveness of care provided during the patient journey, consideration must also be given to national and local directives, guidance and legislation. You will have considered some of these in general terms at phase 1, but now you will be exploring the impact of these guidelines in the more detail and relating that to the patient’s experience of healthcare.

You will consider the needs of different patient groups and relate the adaptations of technique required. You will develop your image analysis skills by considering and interpreting the radiographic appearances of trauma and pathology to enable you to articulate and discuss your interpretation of radiographic images, a key skill in your future professional role.

Building on Phase 1 students will develop a deeper understanding of how other imaging equipment works such as CT, MRI, Nuclear medicine equipment and Ultrasound equipment. As well as understanding how the equipment operates students will also need to appreciate the quality assurance processes used in imaging departments. Students will explore in theory and practice how to undertake QA involving a range of imaging equipment.

Knowing how equipment operates is only a small part of working professionally; producing the best quality image possible is paramount. Students will build on their understanding of how imaging systems work to investigate how to use CR and DR systems to best effect, how images can be manipulated, and how to recognise and report faults. Students will look at how the imaging equipment sits in the clinical systems management chain and their role in maintaining correct records, issues in handling patient data etc.

You will develop your image analysis skills by considering and interpreting the radiographic appearances of trauma and pathology to enable you to articulate and discuss your interpretation of radiographic images, a key skill in your future professional role.

You will develop an understanding of the development of red dot, radiographer commenting and radiographer reporting and how has progressed within the context of the radiology profession. Develop an understanding of the role this plays in advancing practice and impact on patient care.

The module further develops your evaluation of practice by offering specialist placements in clinical practice thus extending the range of imaging examinations and modalities you experience, and exposing you further to interprofessional working.

During this module you will consolidate your knowledge of clinical practice to address current issues within the profession and to identify specific needs for your own professional development.

You will study current and pertinent aspects of practice which will help to broaden your own skills and knowledge base ready for further development upon qualification. You will be encouraged to look to the future and explore how healthcare provision is changing and develop your potential within emerging imaging provision. Healthcare is changing to be more responsive to patient need, so you will look at how service may change and the impact of that on the patient journey and the subsequent requirements of you as a professional. And finally, you will need to be able to identify, record and reflect upon your professional development needs, so in this module you will look at how to do that in preparation for practice.

This module aims to help you explore some of the necessary skill sets for you to successfully undertake these tasks.

You will explore some of the educational theory behind teaching practical skills as well as exploring what is meant by clinical leadership and how those skills can be developed.

Linked in with understanding clinical leadership is understanding how to identify and plan for career/ professional development. So, in this module you will explore some of the current professional issues and explore how those can be developed in your personal, professional development needs.

This placement will be different to one of your usual practice placement areas; in order that you experience different perspectives, processes and procedures. You must demonstrate the relevance of your placement to radiographic practice, and agree a learning contract for the placement.

The module will enable you to combine your theoretical knowledge with clinical practice, and evaluate your learning experiences.

Building on a number of level 4 and 5 modules, you will consider the development and application of these technologies to further enhance patient care.

Radiographers continue to play an important role in the management of patients, and are increasingly expanding and extending their scope of professional practice. This includes image commenting and reporting of an increasing array of medical images from projection radiography, CT, and MR. There are a number of new avenues for radiographers including triage, discharge, and independent prescribing.

Students will select one from each ‘strand’ per fortnight, with a view to exploring in detail the development of one aspect of professional development and one area of emerging technology.

You will be introduced to image analysis of chest and abdominal x-rays and cross-sectional image analysis of the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis.

You will also consider how the patient’s management is affected by pathological conditions demonstrated on the images.