Module - Radiation Safety 1 (SPE155)
STP
Clinical experiential learning is the range of activities trainees may undertake in order to gain the experience and evidence to demonstrate their achievement of module competencies and assessments. The list is not definitive or mandatory, but training officers should ensure, as best training practice, that trainees gain as many of these clinical experiences as possible. They should be included in training plans, and once undertaken they should support the completion of module assessments and competencies within the e-portfolio.
Clinical experiential learning
Radiation Governance Framework
- The trainee should attend the radiation safety committee and/or medical exposures committee, with a view to observing how the management of radiation protection takes place in practice. They should be able to contribute to some of the discussions, as appropriate, and reflect on the sometimes contentious issues discussed.
- The trainee should prepare an audit of radiation areas using existing audit tools (which the trainee should critically appraise as part of the process) or by developing new tools. The trainee will need to understand relevant legislation and guidance and the processes that are being undertaken in the areas being audited. The audit should address areas of significance for patient care and the future practice in the area being audited. The trainee should use the above audit tool to assess a radiation area and issue a written report giving appropriate advice and recommended actions.
- The trainee should participate in the investigation of a radiation incident where a patient has been given a greater than intended dose or a member of staff has accidentally received a radiation dose. The trainee should be involved in determining why the incident occurred, the dose received and the steps taken to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. They should also reflect on the patient’s experience.
- The trainee should review radiation incident plans at organisation level and specific department plans. The trainee should critically appraise the plans, including a review of the contents of the radiation incident kit (equipment, documentation, guidance publications).
Patient Dose Assessment and Optimisation
- Assess clinical image quality using appropriate parameters with a multidisciplinary team. This may also include optimisation of the images and calculation of the patient doses involved.
- Critically appraise parameters measured for image quality and patient dose for one modality, with respect to previous results and clinical impact.
Diagnostic Radiology: Equipment Performance
- In addition to working within the host department, the trainee should visit another diagnostic radiology physics department and compare test equipment, protocols and frequencies. This would enable the trainee to reflect on the procedures and test equipment in the host department, looking at best/poor practice in quality assurance.
- The trainee should compare and contrast available test equipment with regard to specifications and ease of use. This may also include a review of available calibration facilities and the procedures performed on calibration.
- The trainee should attend some multidisciplinary sessions with regard to expanding their clinical knowledge about the uses of ionising imaging.
Laser and Ultraviolet Equipment
- The trainee should perform a literature review of the clinical uses of non-ionising radiation. This may include blue light therapy, Ultraviolet, lasers, short-wave diathermy, therapeutic ultrasound, e.g. lithotripsy, physiotherapy ultrasound and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
- Attend an Ultraviolet or laser treatment session.