Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Introduction to Medical Radiation Practice
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Tracey Salter
Course Coordinator Phone: +61399254272
Course Coordinator Email: tracey.salter@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Building 051 Floor 07 Room 001-2 WS
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment only
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Nil
Course Description
This course will provide you with an overview of the Australian health care system and the role of medical radiations practice within the healthcare system. You will gain an understanding of how health care is funded in Australia and explore the trends, challenges and major factors impacting the Australian health system. You will develop an understanding of different health professionals, and their roles and responsibilities within the continuum of care and the role of multidisciplinary health care. You will also gain an overview and practical experience of each of the divisions of Medical Radiation Practice – Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy. You will learn the role of each division of practice in the diagnosis and treatment of injury and/or disease, and understand the similarities and differences between them. In preparation for this course you will be required to complete WIL agreements and the WIL Ready Credential or the WIL preparation module.
You will be required to travel to the RMIT Bundoora campus during a 3-week block where you will experience the 3 diagnostic streams: Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy and Medical Imaging in the Bachelor of Medical Radiations’ campus laboratories.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the DP022 Diploma of Radiation Science:
1 – Knowledge Capability
Identify broad theoretical and technical knowledge of health science theories, principles and concepts with a focus on radiation science, in various real-world settings
4 – Communication Capability
Communicate and reflect on findings, to diverse audiences utilising a variety of formats employing integrity, inclusivity and culturally safe practices.
5- Teamwork Capability
Demonstrate considered reflection, responsibility and accountability for own learning and skills, as part of a multidisciplinary team.
6 – Professional Work practices
Collaborate and contribute responsibly in diverse settings with consideration of the experience and perspectives of First Nations peoples and the global community in all aspects of work.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Describe the role of medical radiations within the Australian healthcare system, and distinguish the differences between diagnostic streams: nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and medical imaging.
2. Describe components and organisation of the Australian Healthcare System, including the legal and ethical principles including referral pathways, integration into public health and patient care models.
3. Identify inter-sectorial and multi-disciplinary components of the Australian Healthcare System, including arrangements which fund care, the range of accessible services and networks within community health and barriers to providing equitable health care to all Australians
4. Describe the key concepts involved in patient centred care, and the role of the medical radiation practitioner in providing culturally competent care to a diverse patient cohort.
5. Identify key health and social determinants that are currently affecting Australians, and the major contributing factors responsible for disease rates.
6. Observe and reflect on experiences gained from the industry visits and practical experience of the different radiation ecosystems and environments to inform future career planning and lifelong learning
Overview of Learning Activities
Your learning activities will consist of the following:
- Face to face teaching: to develop knowledge of underpinning concepts
- Personal study: using textbooks, journal articles and the internet to reinforce and broaden your understanding
- Personal research: to become familiar with recent developments and discoveries
- Participation in lab based simulated work integrated learning in the RMIT Bundoora medical radiation suites.
- Industry engagement: industry visits and/or guest speakers may be organised to further enhance application of knowledge
- Group work & peer teaching to broaden your understanding
Online Learning: All courses will make use of RMIT's online learning system. Here you will be able to access course notes and materials as well as additional reference material, quizzes and self-assessments. In some courses, there will be online discussion forums moderated by the teacher.
Additional Support
RMIT’s Study Support can provide a range of specific services to aid your study.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support
If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate varying aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact Equitable Learning Services for further information.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/equitable-learning
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The library provides guides on academic referencing along with specific subject guides.
The library also provides a variety of resources including databases, e-journals, e-books and websites.
Subject Guides on Medical Radiation can be found at this link: https://rmit.libguides.com/medical-radiations
You can find more information on Library resources and services at: https://www.rmit.edu.au/library
Online learning tools and content:
As a student in this program, you may access online learning tools and resources for your program and associated courses from the RMIT student website.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
RMIT will provide you with specific course materials for learning through our online system (Canvas).
Learning services available to you as a student at RMIT
RMIT provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals.
Services are available face to face and online assisting with:
- transition to tertiary study and learning
- study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences if relevant
- enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
- career development and employment
- living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
- opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
- opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services
We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-values/respect-for-australian-indigenous-cultures
Computer laboratories with printing facilities are available on campus for students to use at any time that classes are not scheduled.
Overview of Assessment
This course offers a range of assessments under the Authentic Assessment framework. This can include collaboration opportunities on problem-solving activities reflective of industry-based scenarios.
It will be your responsibility to meet all the required deadlines.
To pass this course you must achieve a minimum grade of 50%.
Assessment marks will be added together across all submitted assessments and your final total mark must be equal to, or greater than 50%.
Assessment Task 1: Test
Weighting 20% (Individual)
CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Assessment Task 2: Poster Presentation on the patient's pathway from diagnosis to treatment, highlighting the role of each profession.
Weighting 40% (Group)
CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Assessment Task 3: Field visit, Perspectives and Reflection
Weighting 40% (Individual)
CLOs 1,4, 6