RAB2000 Pathology, Diagnostics and Treatment Course description

Knowledge of pathology, diagnostics and treatment is crucial to radiography practice and necessary to be able to meet the needs of the patient in a satisfactory manner. Nuclear medicine and mammography are used for diagnostic imaging, while interventional radiography and radiation therapy are used in treatment and therapy. The introduction of new examinations and treatment methods bring new tasks and areas of responsibility for radiographers. The course provides an introduction to pathological conditions and diseases that are important in diagnostic and therapeutic examinations.

Passed first year of the programme or equivalent

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student can

• explain the aetiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive and circulatory systems, the central nervous system, the kidneys and the urinary tract, and endocrine and age-related disorders
• explain the aetiology, epidemiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and prognosis of the most common forms of cancer
• describe symptoms and treatment of mental disorders such as psychosis and neurosis
• explain procedures for subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and for insertion of peripheral venous catheter (PVC)
• explain guidelines for sterile procedures
• explain the construction, function and use of mammography, nuclear medicine, interventional radiography and radiation therapy equipment
• explain radiation dose levels, radiation protection and patient care for the modalities in question
• explain principles of radiation biology, effects and the most common treatment-related side effects of radiation therapy
• explain physical principles of nuclear medicine and the production, preparation, administration and waste management of radionuclides/radiopharmaceuticals
• describe structure and enhancement in nuclear medicine images
• describe general principles for screening, including sensitivity and specificity
• describe procedures for quality control and documentation for mammography, nuclear medicine, interventional radiography and radiation therapy
• explain radiation and radiation protection in relation to human beings and the environment

Skills 

The student can

• prepare simple examinations or treatments under supervision
•  assess imaging criteria in mammography 
• calculate skin dose on the basis of airkerma (AK) and dose area product (DAP)

General competence  

The student can

• assess how different pathological conditions and indications determine the choice of diagnostic and therapeutic examinations in relation to nuclear medicine, mammography, interventional radiography and radiation therapy  

The work and teaching methods include flipped classroom, lectures, seminars, skills training and self-study. In seminars, the students work in groups. This course uses digital learning resources in the form of video lectures, digital tests and exercises.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam: 

• a minimum attendance of 80 % at scheduled seminars and skills training sessions
• individual multiple choice test in accordance with set criteria, up to 2 hours
• project assignment in groups of 2-4 students in accordance with set criteria

Individual written home exam over three days, up to 3,000 words.

Resit assessment/exam: Students who are awarded the grade F on the home exam have the right to submit a reworked version once.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F

All exam papers are assessed by two examiners. At least 75 % of the exams will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all students.