Radiography - Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education ...

Assessment
A wide range of assessment tools are used including:
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Essays and reports
Written examinations
Multiple choice questions
Presentations
Practical examinations
Research dissertation
Clinical portfolio and clinical assessments
Martin's Clinical Placement Diary
Tuesday 15th August
My day started half an hour earlier than usual, as I was going
to observe quality assurance checks on the treatment
machines, which are done daily to ensure the machines are
working accurately. I was shown how to check the movements
of the machine and the couch, and then how the energies of
the X-rays and the electron beams were checked, followed by
the safety checks.
The patients began to arrive and I had to prepare the couch for
the first patient who was having radiotherapy to the breast.
The radiographers then stood back while I positioned the
patient on the couch and aligned their tattoos to the room
lasers, and then moved the equipment so that the X-ray beam
would treat the breast. The radiographers pushed me a lot
throughout the day to get me used to setting up patients
having radiotherapy to the breast, head and neck, prostate,
and vertebrae.
During the afternoon I had the opportunity to sit in on a ‘first
day chat’. The patient was told what was going to happen
during treatment and then told about the reactions that may
occur due to the radiotherapy. They were given lots of advice
on how to minimise these reactions and take care of
themselves during treatment, and then the patient was given
the opportunity to ask lots of questions. Sitting in on the chat
was invaluable as I saw first hand how anxious and
apprehensive patients were before starting their treatment.
After a very busy day it was time for the cycle home, followed
by a long, hot bath and some food!
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