Duration
15h Th
Number of credits
| Master in physics, professional focus in medical radiophysics | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Introduction to Quality Assurance (QA) protocols and the role of the physicist;
Summary of the different components of classical X-ray systems;
Example: QA of dental equipment;
Example: QA of CT scanners;
Theory and practical aspects of MTF, NEQ and DQE;
Components of fluoroscopic systems and QA of fluoroscopy systems;
Introduction to (breast cancer) screening activities;
Requirements to high quality mammography screening;
Content of 'The European Guidelines for breast cancer screening (overall program)';
QA of digital mammography, including daily quality control procedures;
New breast imaging modalities.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- Understand the role and the practical challenges associated with QA of radiological equipment
- Understand the structure of a basic test protocol
- Understand the role and need of common tests in a QA protocol
- Understand and interpret the Belgian protocols for dental imaging
- Understand and interpret the Belgian protocols for CT imaging
- Understand and interpret the European Guidelines for Quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis
- Understand limitations of current X-ray technology and in which directions new developments should go. Casus: digital mammography
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Course on X-ray technology used in radiology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
- The major part of the course consists of theoretical aspects of Quality Assurance in radiology
- The main protocols for QA in radiology in Belgium are read together and commented during the course. This includes in particular the European Guidelines for QA during breast cancer screening and diagnosis, ...
- Where possible and relevant, practical exercises are worked out with the students for better familiarization with specific aspects. This includes: the use of software tools for generating X-ray spectra, tools for patient dosimetry in radiology (CT-expo and PCXMC), ...
- Other tasks are occasionally formulated around specific (hot) topics, like making a summary of a paper discussing risks and detriment from X-rays in radiology.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
- Theoretical aspects are taught by means of powerpoint files that are then made available to the students. The powerpoint files contain a large amount of pictures for better illustration purposes
- Software tools are illustrated to the students; by means of homework (selected exercises) their practical experience with some of the tools is tested
- The students prepare a 10min seminar to be presented to the class mates on a specific (non technical) chapter of the European Guidelines for breast cancer screening and diagnosis
Course materials and recommended or required readings
- The European RP162 document on 'Radiation Criteria for Acceptability of Medical Radiological Equipment used in Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy'
- The decrees of the FANC regarding the test protocols for X-ray equipment
- The protocols (or their drafts) of the Belgian Hospital Physicists Association part QA in dental imaging, fluoroscopy systems and CT
- The European Guidelines for breast cancer screening and diagnosis
- During the semester, homework and seminars are being evaluated; 5 points from 20 can be obtained with homework.
- At the end of the course, there is a written, closed book exam.
- It is tested whether the students achieved the learning outcomes. The examination tests whether the student has familiarized himself with the theory. An important aspect is however in how far the student can also cope with typical problems that one would encounter during QA tests in the field. This is tested via case descriptions.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
There is usually a small group of students. We strive for maximal interaction between teacher and students.
Contacts
Hilde Bosmans
016 34 37 51
hilde.bosmans@uz.kuleuven.ac.be