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Unit outline_

IMAG5042: Essential Imaging for Clinicians

Semester 1, 2020 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides students with a practical and clinically relevant overview of imaging in medicine. The fundamentals of imaging modalities are described, considering risks and benefits and implications for clinical decision making. Topics are organised by system, and clinically relevant cases are used to illustrate key concepts. Assessments reflect clinical practice and focus on the use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of clinical scenarios, and the role of medical imaging in the broader medical landscape. On completion of the unit, students will recognise common and important cases and improve their ability to appropriately order and interpret commonly used tests.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Anaesthesia PGCW
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
SURG5011
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sally Ayesa, sally.ayesa@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Gabrielle James, gabrielle.james@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
MCQ and short answer questions
40% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Online task Quizzes
MCQs
10% Multiple weeks 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Online task PeerWise
Online task
10% Multiple weeks To be added in by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Online task Case discussions
Forum post
40% Multiple weeks 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO9

Assessment summary

  • Quizzes: Each module includes a graded quiz comprising 10 multiple choice questions. These quizzes are designed to provide you with feedback on your learning and highlight gaps in your knowledge. Quizzes are timed for 30 minutes and can only be attempted once.
  • PeerWise: PeerWise allows students to author their own multiple choice questions related to the content they have been covering. Peers can then answer your questions and provide critique or comments for improvement. All comments should be based upon relevant literature, with the use of references as much as possible, and submitted via PeerWise assignment page.
  • Case discussions: You will be provided with 3 clinical cases and are required to answer the questions posed for each and comment on the posts of your peers where directed. Your answer should be based upon your understanding of the case and on the relevant literature. Your work should be referenced by key citations sourced from current medical literature. Discussion is encouraged.
  • Final exam: The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. The exam will contain 50 multiple choice questions (single best answer) and 10 short answer questions. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Please note, for this unit of study (IMAG5042) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date for 5 calendar days only. This is to ensure that timely feedback is provided to students. If the assessment is submitted more than 5 calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: fundamentals of medical imaging; Module 1.1: imaging fundamentals part 1 Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1.2: imaging fundamentals part 2 Online class (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 2: neuroadiology, head and neck; Module 2.1: ischaemia and cerebral haemorrhage Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 2.2: the brain and neuroadiology Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 2.3: spine, head, neck and thyroid Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 3: chest and vascular imaging; Module 3.1: chest and vascular Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 3.2: chest and vascular 2 Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 4: abdominal and pelvic imaging; Module 4.1: abdomen part 1 Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 4.2: abdomen part 2 Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 5: musculoskeletal imaging; Module 5.1: fractures and joint diseases Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 5.2: bone lesions and chronic illnesses Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 6: multisystem disorders; Module 6.1: infection, inflammation and malignancy Online class (10 hr)  
Week 13 Module 6.2: pregnancy and paediatrics Online class (10 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. discuss the risks, benefits and limitations of a range of imaging modalities and interventional procedures with patients and relate discussions to common clinical scenarios
  • LO2. assess patients for relative risks and contra-indications to specific imaging modalities or agents, and devise an alternative management plan if appropriate
  • LO3. demonstrate knowledge of evidence based imaging pathways
  • LO4. design and justify imaging plans for patients presenting with common clinical scenarios, considering the benefits and limitations of modalities in demonstrating the suspected pathology
  • LO5. evaluate the role of imaging in supplementing clinical signs and symptoms, and the results of other investigations
  • LO6. interpret basic imaging investigations in commonly encountered and/or life threatening clinical scenarios
  • LO7. consider the presence or absence of underlying causes and complications on imaging, and assess scans accordingly
  • LO8. integrate a knowledge of anatomy to the pathology demonstrated on imaging
  • LO9. propose relevant follow-up investigations for equivocal or non-diagnostic examinations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience. In response to feedback in 2019, this unit was fully revised and the following changes were made, including: 1. Case discussion assessments structure has been updated, including one less discussion task and streamlining the assessment delivery. 2. Supplementary case based learning for modules 1-4 to reinforce important topics. 3. New optional quiz video for assessing lobar collapse/consolidation in module three. 4. Peerwise questions are now radiologist reviewed and graded on both merit and participation. 5. Some lectures have been updated for content and sound quality. 6. Minor adjustments to quizzes to add additional focus to image interpretation.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances

  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory

  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories

  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door

  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory

  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.