MABIOD5000 Computed Tomography Course description

CT is a diagnostic imaging examination method, which uses ionising radiation to produce cross-sectional images, so that the bodily structures can be viewed in different planes.

The course comprises the following main topics:

1) Radiation protection 2) CT technology 3) Contrast agents 4) Quality control and image quality parameters 5) Work station and image processing 6) Patient doses, reference values, protocol development

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• A minimum attendance requirement of 80% in scheduled and supervised group work, and at seminars with oral presentations.
• Presentation of a project assignment in communication

The student must have been admitted to the study programme. The course is also offered as an individual course. Experience of use of CT modality is an advantage.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge of CT technology, including its development
• has in-depth knowledge of quality control procedures relating to CT
• has in-depth knowledge of the use of contrast agents and CT
• has in-depth knowledge of image quality and CT technology
• has advanced knowledge of work stations, image processing, and storage media
• has advanced knowledge of dosage calculations in connection with CT
• has knowledge of laws, regulations, and guides about radiation protection in relation to CT

Skills

The student is capable of

• carrying out post processing on the most common CT examinations
• analysing reports from CT quality controls, and carrying out dosage measurements by using measuring equipment
• carrying out image processing and assessing the image quality
• optimising CT protocols, with particular emphasis on adapted image quality and radiation dosage for the examination

Competence

The student is capable of

• communicating extensive independent work and mastering the forms of expression used in the field
• communicating about issues, analyses, and conclusions in the CT field to big and small audiences
• applying his/her knowledge and skills to new fields to carry out advanced tasks and projects

The course is web-based, and requires independent activity on the part of the students. Students are offered introduction material in the form of short texts and instruction videos in skills-oriented topics. Theoretical topics are presented through introductory texts with pertaining reading lists. Written assignments about CT modality are handed out for each topic.

The work and teaching methods comprise digital lectures, participation in digital discussion forums, skills training, seminar(s) and written assignments.

Digital lectures

In this course, traditional lectures are replaced by text, images, audio, videos, video-clips, real-slide-show, PowerPoint presentations, etc., which are carefully adapted to the individual learning situations.

Skills training

Skills training will consist of work on CT modality and work on the programme’s own website.

Digital discussion forums

The student will participate in discussions and supervise/teach fellow students or colleagues.

Seminars

Two seminars are arranged in the course (one each semester). The seminars comprise lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and group work.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• 8 individual written assignments. The scope of the assignments vary from 1,500 to 3,500 words, with the exception of coursework relating to quality control, in which the student can write as much as he/she wants.

The students are offered written supervision before the submission of all the assignments. The right to written supervision lapses if the student does not submit the assignment by the given deadline.

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Individual written home exam, 6 hours.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

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

Knowledge

The student

• is familiar with the professional role of the pharmacist in a historical, current and future-oriented perspective
• is familiar with the role of pharmaceuticals in the health service in a national and global perspective
• can explain what characterises the concept of profession and what constitutes professional competence
• can explain ethical theory, ethical dilemmas and the importance of professional ethical guidelines
• can explain key concepts in the field of communication theory
• can explain the concept of culture and challenges related to intercultural communication
• can explain relevant laws and regulations
• is familiar with challenges in connection with pharmacological treatments and supervision of vulnerable patient groups, such as children, young people and the elderly
• can explain the pharmacy's position in the health services, including the development of health services in pharmacies
• is familiar with the use and limitations of different sources of information about pharmaceuticals
• is familiar with challenges related to the use of pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and plant-based pharmaceuticals

Skills

The student can

• use digital tools in group work with fellow students
• cooperate and communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds by being open and taking an interest

General competence

The student

• can identify and reflect on professional ethical dilemmas in the field of pharmacy and reflect on his/her own values and efforts in simple projects and tasks relevant to the profession
• can act with empathy and respect, and promote equality that promotes co-determination in process and target-oriented work
• can understand the importance of communication when encountering people from different cultural and social backgrounds

Work and teaching methods include lectures, group work, project work and seminars. Student-active learning methods and digital tools are used in the teaching to promote communication and engagement.

The students work in groups where they use relevant course literature to discuss different everyday situations from the pharmacy and relate them to topics from the lectures. The groups must also cooperate on a project assignment.