| CODE | RAD5003 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Radiation Safety Principles 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit focuses on radiation safety concepts, developments and latest evidence pertaining General Radiography, including Dental radiography, Bone Density, Mammography and Interventional Imaging. The aim of this micro-credential is to provide a refresher CPD study-unit and to update qualified radiographers and/or health professionals working with ionising medical radiation on the fundamental principles of radiation safety pertaining to general radiography, including dental radiography, bone density, mammography and interventional imaging. This study-unit will also provide the groundwork for a separate CPD study-unit titled 鈥楻adiation Safety Principles 2鈥�, which is then focused on the fundamental principles and considerations for radiation safety in the more specialised imaging modalities, such as Computed Tomography (CT), Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, as well as Radiotherapy. Apart from being a legal requirement, the continuing technological advances that occur in radiography, necessitate that radiographers undergo repeat radiation protection training within a 5-year period so as to remain updated with latest evidence and developments that impact on radiation safety. This micro-credential will seek to address a current gap since no other accredited CPD study-units are being offered locally to provide such radiation safety training. This micro-credential will therefore seek to consolidate principles and theories already known, while also providing an update of new evidence and developments that can further enhance the effective application of radiation safety principles in radiography practice, particularly general radiography, dental radiography, bone density, mammography and interventional imaging. This study-unit will be delivered fully online, so as to be more attractive and meet the needs of qualified radiographers and other health professionals having an interest in radiation safety and/or who may also need to fulfil refresher training requirements outlined in local legislation. In order to achieve this, the following subject areas will be specifically focussed on in relation to their application in General Radiography, including Dental radiography, Bone Density, Mammography and Interventional Imaging. Subject areas: - Update of fundamental concepts, including units of radiation exposure and dose; - Update of biological effects of ionising radiation; - Radiation detection and measurement; - Legal issues and international framework in radiation safety; - Designated roles and responsibilities arising from legislation; - Assessment of internal and external exposures; - Protection against occupational exposure; - Implementation of radiation safety principles in clinical practice; - Importance of quality assurance, quality control and clinical audits. Study-Unit Aims: The aims of this study-unit are to: - Ensure that radiographers working in General Radiography, including Dental Radiography, Bone Density, Mammography and Interventional Imaging areas, are up to date and able to practice effectively, accurately and safely within the guidance of latest legal, ethical, professional frameworks; - Encourage radiographers working in the outlined areas to recognise the radiation hazards associated with radiographic practice and to take the necessary measures to minimise them in accordance with the ALARA principle; - Establish safe working conditions and equip radiographers with the knowledge required to fulfil their roles as practitioners and professionals performing the practical aspects of their work; - Enhance radiographers' awareness of benefits and risks associated with radiography procedures in relation to General Radiography, including Dental Radiography, Bone Density, Mammography and Interventional Imaging areas, in order to enhance their benefit-risk communication dialogues with patients and colleagues during the delivery of care. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain and discuss latest evidence and developments in relation to radiation physics principles, radiation hazards, radiation biology and radiation dosimetry. These concepts will be discussed in relation to practice performed in General Radiography, including Dental radiography, Bone Density, Mammography and Interventional Imaging; - Explain and discuss latest evidence and developments in relation to radiation protection principles that can be applied in practice when working in general radiography, including Dental radiography, Bone Density, Mammography and Interventional Imaging, in order to enhance radiation safety amongst patients, staff and the general public; - Discuss current national and international radiation protection legislation and regulations, with particular focus to the areas of practice outlined above; - Critically evaluate professional roles and responsibilities in terms of justification and optimisation within general radiography practice, including dental radiography, bone density, mammography and interventional imaging. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Critically review the justification of a given procedure in General Radiography, including: Dental radiography, Bone Density, Mammography and Interventional Imaging; and to verify this in accordance with the relevant referral guidelines; - Apply the concepts and tools required for radiation safety optimisation within the areas of practice outlined above; - Critically reflect on and evaluate ways of further enhancing a radiation safety culture in their practice; - Confidently communicate benefit-risk information to patients, colleagues and the public; - Document radiation incidents, undertake a risk assessment and review procedures and protocols as necessary; - Recognise the limitations associated with one's scope of competence and seek further advice and guidance accordingly. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Government of Malta (2018). Chapter 585 鈥� Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act. - Government of Malta (2018). S.L. 585.01 鈥� Basic Safety Standards for Ionising Radiation Regulations. - Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation. Official Journal of the European Union No. L, 57(13). - European Commission (2014). Radiation protection No 175: Guidelines on radiation protection education and training of medical professionals in the European Union. - International Atomic Energy Agency (2014) Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards, Vienna. - International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP, 2009). Publication 113:Education and training in radiological protection for diagnostic and interventional procedures. Ann. ICRP 39 (5). - Statkiewicz Sherer MA, Visconti PJ, Ritenour ER, Welch Haynes K (2014) Radiation Protection in Medical Radiography. Elsevier Health Sciences. - Various peer-reviewed articles and gray literature. Supplementary Readings: - Stoeva, M.S and Vetter, R.J. (2020) Radiation Protection in Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. United States: Taylor & Francis Group. - Seeram, E and Brennan, P.C. (2016). Radiation Protection In Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging. Jones & Bartlett Learning. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Online Learning | ||||||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Bezzina Karen Borg Grima Jose Guilherme Couto Deborah Mizzi Jonathan Loui Portelli (Co-ord.) Francis Zarb |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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