RANZCR Appropriate Imaging Referrals

Course Overview

Improving the appropriateness of referrals for medical imaging, thereby enhancing the quality of clinical care, is an important issue around the country but is especially important in rural health where there may be more limited resources and increased patient travel time to imaging facilities.

Each of the nine clinical modules present the evidence behind the best clinical decision rules for that topic, followed by how to apply rules in practice. An interactive format is used, with numerous quizzes aimed to consolidate the theory, followed by clinical scenarios to assess understanding in practice. A smart phone app is also under development to help practitioners implement practices learned from the modules.

Project Information

Up to four regional webinars for rural medical specialists were held nationally to facilitate discussions about the best and most effective and efficient way to utilise medical imaging. Up to 15 people will participate in a Q&A-style discussion, focusing on the need for the judicial use of medical imaging for a number of common presentations in the emergency setting.  An unlimited number of participants will be able to login to the webinars as observers, and a recording of one of the webinars is below in the course resources section.

The webinars will be supported and enhanced by a series of recently completed and piloted educational modules for appropriate imaging referrals (currently available in three media formats: web-based; iBooks; and/or PDFs). The modules were developed by multidisciplinary teams, with the support of the Australian Government Department of Health.

Target Audience – Emergency medicine physicians, Hospital interns, GPs providing emergency department (ED) coverage, Allied health professionals including physiotherapists, radiographers and ED nurses.

Learning Objectives

1. To become familiar with the use of clinical decision rules to inform evidence based decisions about the use of medical imaging
2. To learn about the interactive web based education modules created by the RANZCR regarding appropriate imaging using clinical decision  rules for a variety of emergency medical conditions
3. To learn how to access these web based modules as well as the e-book and PDF versions of the modules and how you can use them as a CPD activity
4. To learn about how to access and use point of care flowcharts for appropriate imaging

Modules

1. Clinical Decision Rules
2. Suspected Pulmonary Embolism
3. Suspected Lower Limb Deep Vein Thrombosis
4. Acute Low Back Pain
5. Paediatric Ankle Trauma
6. Paediatric Head Trauma
7. Paediatric Cervical Spine Trauma
8. Acute Ankle Trauma in Adults
9. Adult Head Trauma
10. Adult Cervical Spine Trauma

Please note: The duration estimate for each module does not include time required for additional reading material and note taking. This is a recommended duration only, therefore it may not be an exact reflection for how long each individual would take to complete.

• Appropriate Imaging Referrals (Webinar)
  
  

Should you have any questions regarding the learning modules, please contact lms@ranzcr.edu.au.