Jane Arezina
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The module aims to enable the practitioner to
examine and develop their practice in relation
to local and profession specific standards of
diagnostic imaging
Main theme are:◦ Image interpretation and reporting
◦ Communication
◦ Ethics and Law
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Programme is not specific to Medical
Ultrasound
Formed by the merger of the Medical
Ultrasound and Breast Imaging programmes
All students take Professional Issues in
Diagnostic Imaging as a compulsory module,
no matter which programme (PGC; PGD or
MSc) and regardless of speciality (e.g. Breast
Imaging or Medical Ultrasound)
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From a variety of professional backgrounds.
Cohorts have included:◦ Radiographers
◦ Sonographers
◦ Medics
 Obstetricians
 Vascular surgeons
 A&E consultants
◦ Nurses
◦ Midwives
◦ Physiotherapists
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The principal aim of the module is to provide
a structure to enable students to bring
together self-knowledge, expertise at work
and formal knowledge in order to foster and
develop the highest standards in imaging
practice
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The students critically reflect on their own practicerelated knowledge and enhance skills for
advancing/extending professional practice
Students need to consider the issues in relation to
their specific clinical situation and profession specific
content required by professional bodies (CASE or
CoR).
The students examine and evaluate different
theoretical and analytic perspectives using critical
reflection on their own practice-related knowledge.
Student are encouraged and expected to contribute
their own perspectives and examples from practice.
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Seminars and workshops are the main teaching
methods used in this module with some content
based lectures.
The seminars and workshops are structured to
facilitate discussion around the topic.
Pre-reading is provided so that students come
prepared for discussion and debate (some topics
also require students to undertake tasks and
bring these to the session).
The focus is practice related and students will be
asked to contribute examples from their practice
to illustrate their arguments
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Module commences in semester 1 and is assessed in
semester 2b to enable students’ theoretical knowledge and
understanding to ‘grow’ in line with practice-based
professional development
Students are required to submit a 3,000 word portfolio
relating to their own professional practice and issues in:◦ Image interpretation and reporting
◦ Communication
◦ Ethics and Law
The portfolio enables the student to demonstrate a
comprehensive understanding of theories and principles of
professional issues in professional practice along with critical
evaluation of its implementation in the work place.
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All imaging students are taught together to
enable interprofessional interaction and
collaboration
Students have a set of ‘task’ to prepare and bring
to sessions for discussion
Portfolio includes 3 reflective academic pieces of
work related to the main themes
In addition, they must include the tasks and any
supporting material as appendices
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Have to do a lot of work themselves and often find
the module ‘difficult’, ‘not related to my own
practice’
Don’t like interprofesional nature of teaching and
learning-want more profession/modality specific
content
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Portfolio is seen as a major task-even though have
9 months to complete it
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Don’t like all the tasks and sometimes can’t see
relevance to learning ‘how to do a scan’
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Many students produced fabulous portfolios that clearly
demonstrate their professional development
Encourages students to explore why they are doing things a
certain way-evidence based practice, self-development and
critical appraisal are key features
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Use of reflection enables some students to have ‘light-bulb’
moments that alter the way they practice
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Some students have used the knowledge gained to make
changes in clinical practice
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Many positive comments in the portfolio re: how they felt
about the module at the beginning and how they now realise
how fundamental these topics are to practice
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The module is utilised to introduce generic content
e.g. Reporting or communication that is developed
further in specific modules
Encourages students to self-develop through
reflection and critical appraisal-students often find
this challenging
Encourages IPW and consideration the views of other
professionals-also challenging
Most students showed progression in their
professional development and a clear understanding
of the role the module will have in their future
practice
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