MARAD4100 Computed Tomography (CT) Course description

Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic imaging examination method that 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) Workstation and image processing 6) Patient doses, reference values and protocol development.

Combined assessment.

Part 1 Assessment of practical training.

The assessment takes its point of departure in given criteria based on learning outcomes for the course, criteria for failing the practical training, criteria for suitability assessment and compulsory activities carried throughout the entire course. During the practical training period, a minimum of 90 percent attendance is required to pass the practical training. For more information, see the general part of the programme description about the assessment of practical training.

If the student has failed the practical training, the whole practical training course must be retaken. This includes associated requirements. Part 1 and part 2 appear on the diploma.

Part 2 Individual home examination.

• Three days.
• Scope: 2,500 words (+/- 10 %).

Part 1 and part 2 can be taken independently of each other. The student must have obtained a pass on both parts in order to pass the course as a whole and earn the credits. . Part 1 and part 2 appear on the diploma.

Students must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Radiography. The course is also offered as an individual course, with the same admission requirements as for the specialisation.

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 account for CT technology and its development
• can interpret, analyse and discuss quality control procedures for CT examinations
• can critically assess the use of contrast agents in CT examinations
• can interpret, analyse and discuss image quality and CT technology
• can account for the use of workstations, image processing and storage media
• can interpret and critically discuss dosage calculations for CT examinations
• can account for, discuss and analyse laws, regulations and guidelines concerning radiation protection relating to the use of CT

Skills

The student

• can apply post-processing techniques to the most common CT examinations
• can analyse reports from CT quality controls, and carry out dosage measurements with the help of measuring equipment
• can carry out image processing and assess image quality in an independent manner
• can optimise CT protocols, with particular focus on adapted image quality and radiation dosage for the examination

General competence

The student

• can disseminate extensive independent work and master the forms of expression used in the field
• can convey issues, analyses and conclusions in the field of CT in big and small forums
• can make ethically and professionally justified assessments and decisions in professional practice
• can work to safeguard the universal right to equitable health services by focusing on quality and the development of procedures
• can implement their knowledge and skills in new areas for the purpose of carrying out advanced tasks and projects

The course is largely based on self-study where students work on required coursework. Digital learning resources in the form of lectures and online assignments are made available to students. One session that includes lectures, group work and simulations is organised per semester.

In this course, nursing of patients in the context of care and rehabilitation is a key area. The course covers the nursing of patients with complex health challenges on short-term or long-term stays in different institutions. Students will gain experience of communicating and interacting with patients and next-of-kin related to long-term health challenges. Mapping of loss of function, challenges related to key patient phenomena and cognitive deficits will be part of the course. Emphasis is also placed on attention to the patients’ background as a basis for nursing. Management, organisational competence, ethics and work on the nurse's pedagogical function are also included.

To start this course you must have passed:

• Passed the first year of study.
• SYKP/SYKP2100 Person Centered Care, 15 credits.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA21 Nursing Patients with Acute, Critical and Chronic Diseases 1, 15 credits.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA30 Nursing Patients with Acute, Critical and Chronic Diseases 2, 10 credits.

or equivalent.*

* For year group 2022 at OsloMet, the equivalent is:

• Passed the first year of study.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA20 Nursing Patients with Acute, Critical and Chronic Diseases 1, 20 credits.
• SYKP/SYKP1060 Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Health Care, 5 credits.
• SYKP/SYKK2000 Theory of Science and Research Methods, 5 credits.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA30 Nursing Patients with Acute, Critical and Chronic Diseases 2, 10 credits.

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

Knowledge

The student

• can explain age-related diseases and treatments
• can discuss how person-centered nursing can contribute to well-being, health promotion and maintenance of physical and cognitive function in the individual
• can explain the grounds for how health and social care policy can set the guidelines for quality development in the municipal health service
• can explain current prioritisation criteria in the Norwegian health service

Skills

The student

• can apply the nursing process by observing, assessing, and making clinical decisions in complex nursing and treatment processes, and documenting the patient’s situation and needs for nursing in the patient records
• can administer, observe and assess the effects of medicines, current side effects and prevent polypharmacy
• can apply person-centered nursing, communication skills and communication principles when dealing with people with dementia to prevent and manage challenging behavior
• carrying out prioritised patient safety measures and discussing how this is exhibited and laid as a basis for professional improvement work in the nursing and care services
• taking responsibility for professional management by delegating and following up work
• tasks towards a group of patients and staff and reflect on how this can have an impact on the quality of the nursing service
• can apply educational principles in teaching, guidance and information to patients, next-of-kin, students, and relevant personnel
• can reflect on own and others' attitudes and values ​​in interaction with patients and next-of-kin, and in interprofessional collaboration

General competence

The student

• can assess patients' existential needs, and central phenomena such as meaning, hope, faith and reconciliation to contribute to quality of life
• can reflect on what can prevent and resolve conflicts in the working environment
• can identify and reflect on relevant ethical issues and dilemmas at the individual, group, and society level reflecting on the significance of social relations and the role the patient’s next-of-kin of patients who are on short- or long-term stays in institutionscan
• can reflect on the importance of the patient's social relationships and the role of relatives of patients who are on short- or long-term stays in institutions
• can reflect on the meaning of good care pathways for elderly people and chronically ill patients and how these can contribute to ensuring a coordinated, holistic, and cohesive service
• takes responsibility for own learning by identifying own learning needs and acquiring new knowledge, showing initiative, accuracy and reliability

Practical training consists of both practical training, activities along the way and supervised practical training that takes place during the practical training period. The practical training period (8 weeks) take part in municipal health service. Other practical training and activities (2 weeks in semester-start in the autumn for all students) can be lectures, digital learning resources and theme-based seminars with presentations. These 2 weeks are carried out jointly for the entire cohort at the start of the semester in August.

Part 1 Assessment of practical training

For practical training, there is a requirement for 80% attendance in theory, activities and practical training that is marked compulsory in the timetable, as well as 90% attendance during the practical training period itself. The student fills in the self-assessment for the start of the practical training, the rotating schedule during the first week of practical training and the self-assessment form no later than two working days before the agreed mid- and final assessment. Other compulsory assignments included in the overall assessment of the course are:

• Planning, preparing and delivering a plan and carrying out supervision for a group of first year students in cooperation with the practical training supervisor and contact lecturer (inspiration practical training).

Part 1 Pass-fail.

Part 2 Grade scale A-F.

Grade scale stated on diploma.