MRI: Integrated Theory and Practice
| Module title | MRI: Integrated Theory and Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM138 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Ms Sue McAnulla (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 | 12 | 2 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
Specialist radiographers are experienced practitioners who assess and image patients within their own specialist area. This module will equip you for specialist practice in MRI across a range of clinical presentations and pathologies, and for a range of patient needs. You will gain knowledge underpinned by theory which will support your understanding of the evidence base behind your practices and procedures. The theoretical component will be underpinned by your workplace-based experience.
Entry to this module requires you to be a registered practitioner working regularly within an MRI unit. You must identify an appropriately qualified and experienced radiographer to act as a clinical mentor before commencing this module. You will also be required to demonstrate how you take responsibility for your own continuing professional development and reflect on your own performance.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module allows you to explore how the theory and science of MRI applies to your clinical practice and your workplace procedures and protocols. Undertaking a mixture of university-based sessions and placement-based learning means you will clearly work towards developing yourself in this area under the supervision of a clinical mentor. This module will further develop understanding of the practicalities of utilising the evidence base within practice whilst considering any logistical challenges and will enable students to explore strategies to improve the integration / translation of knowledge to improve their practice. Successful completion of this module will meet elements of the Outcomes for Advanced Practitioner as defined the College of Radiographers’ Education and Career Framework 2013.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the fundamental safety principles of MRI and the use of contrast agents, including safety aspects for self, team members and patients.
- 2. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the physical principles of MRI, including pulse sequence selection, parameter and image optimisation, artefact recognition and minimisation and digital imaging requirements.
- 3. Critically evaluate the range of MRI equipment design and functionality to inform selection and appropriate use, including room/unit design.
- 4. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the legislative and governance framework for MRI, including MRI safety, quality improvement, audit, general safe practice and contrast agent safety.
- 5. Critically evaluate the role of different clinical protocols and the science, safety and usage of contrast media and other medicines used within MRI to make recommendations around protocol optimisation.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Critically evaluate the evidence base to inform communication and general care strategies for the full spectrum of likely patient and service users.
- 7. Provide recommendations for your specific work area to improve integration of knowledge to improve practice / patient experience.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Contribute, collaborate and communicate accurately and effectively with peers, colleagues and service users.
- 9. Practice effectively within the MRI unit, reflecting on development of underpinning theoretical knowledge and ability to apply theory to practice.
- 10. Critically reflect on personal practice to allow for personal development and change
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Safety, contraindications, roles of other team members
- Static magnetic field (translational & rotational forces on ferromagnetic materials)
- Time varying magnetic field (induced voltage, auditory considerations, thermal heating)
- Implant safety – passive implants
- Implant safety – active implants
- Site access, siting considerations
- Pregnancy – MRI
- Safe management of anaesthesia in the MRI unit
- Interventional MRI
- Managing adverse contrast agent (and other medicines used in imaging) reactions
Physics of imaging, parameters and parameter manipulation
- Pulse sequence families
- Choice and relative roles of sequences
- Parameters – manipulation, optimisation, effect on SAR
- Assessing image quality
Artefacts, causes and minimisation
- Artefacts – recognition, causation, minimisation
Digital imaging including processing, post-processing and secure handling
Equipment design, benefits and limitations
- Field strength & functionality
- Hardware (gradients, slew rates etc.)
- Choice of coil(s)
- Ancillary equipment
- MRI unit design
Governance – legislation / guidance / framework including
- MHRA
- PGDs, PSDs
- Local Rules / Policies / Procedures
- Role and methodologies of service improvement including audit and service evaluation.
Choice of imaging protocols used in MRI:
- Clinical indications,
- Limitations and role of protocol,
- Trade-offs
- Advanced techniques (such as synthetic sequences, spectroscopy, clinical fMRI)
- Emerging techniques
Science and usage of contrast media and other medicines used in imaging
- Indications, contraindications
- Screening, safety considerations, consent
- Pregnancy / breast-feeding
- Mechanism of action, role in imaging procedure
Patient care considerations
- Consent - paediatric, adult, learning disabilities, dementia, autism
- Communication skills including patients with specific physical and / or psychological needs
- Compassionate care
- Emergency scenarios – the deteriorating patient, fire, spontaneous quench, managed quench (emergency run down of unit (ERDU))
- Safe scanning of sedated patients, unconscious and non-communicative patients (including infants)
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 276 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 24 | Learning group discussion, seminars, masterclasses (6 x 4 hours synchronous activity) |
| Guided independent study | 24 | Directed learning activities to include reading and self-test quizzes. |
| Guided independent study | 16 | Preparation for assessment |
| Guided independent study | 10 | Tutor guided online discussion forums in the form of discussion board, consolidation of learning |
| Guided independent study | 110 | Independent critical analysis / evaluation developing knowledge and understanding |
| Guided independent study | 116 | Engage in own clinical environment to form specialist clinical skills / writing portfolio |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | 1 hour | 1-5 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 40 | 60 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer based exam | 10 | 30 minutes | 1-5 | Computer generated feedback |
| Written exam | 30 | 2 hours | 1-5 | Written |
| Professional Discussion of portfolio. (Portfolio must be submitted to be eligible to undertake the professional discussion)* | 60 | 60-minute (maximum) professional discussion | 1-10 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer based exam 10% | 30 minutes | 1 - 5 | Typically within 6 weeks of the result |
| Written exam 30% | 2 hours | 1 - 5 | Typically within 6 weeks of the result |
| Professional Discussion of portfolio 60% *(Portfolio must be submitted to be eligible to undertake the professional discussion). Failure to submit portfolio will result in referral of professional discussion | 60-minute (maximum) professional discussion | 1 - 10 | Typically within 6 weeks of the result |
Re-assessment notes
In any assessment, a failure to identify a serious problem or an answer which would cause the patient harm will result in overall failure of the module.
To pass the Portfolio assessment you are required to obtain your clinical supervisors signed approval for the Statement of Competence.
Failure to submit the portfolio will lead to referral in the Professional Discussion.
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module.
Please also refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic Reading:
Textbook based resources
Essentials of MRI safety (e-book) Donald W McRobbie, Wiley Blackwell, 2020 ISBN: 9781119557166
MRI in Practice (e-book) Catherine Westbrook, Wiley Blackwell, 2019 ISBN: 9781119391999
MRI from Picture to Proton (e-book) Donald McRobbie et al, Wiley Blackwell, 2017 ISBN: 9781107706958
MRI Contrast Agents (e-book) Sophie Laurent, Springer, 2017 ISBN: 9789811025273
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Virtual Learning Resources:
The Exeter Online Learning Environment (ELE) – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Web based and electronic resources:
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA): Safety guidelines for magnetic resonance imaging in clinical use, 2014
Royal College of Radiologists (RCR): Guidance on gadolinium based contrast agent administration
NICE Guidelines and Core Knowledge Summaries
RCR Guidance documents
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 02/12/2020 |
| Last revision date | 26/02/2024 |
