Bone Mineral Density (DXA) Off Campus Learning Course

Approved by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

Download Registration form (pdf, 146 KB)

Course structure

The course will be structured to conform to a modular format with registrants completing a module every 2 weeks for 14 weeks.  A non-compulsory on-campus workshop will also be organised.

Course materials will comprise paper based lecture notes written by local experts in the field, references to the recommended textbook, at least one relevant article from the literature and references for further reading. The course materials will be delivered to students one week prior to official start of the course.

The Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences will issue a Certificate of Course Completion upon successful completion of all the assessment tasks.

Admission criteria and course fees

Radiographers holding a Statement of Accreditation from the Australian Institute of Radiography and with access to clinical experience in the field of Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) will be eligible for admission to the course. Practitioners in BMD holding other professional qualifications within the field of medical radiation science e.g. Nuclear Medicine Technologists, will also be eligible for admission to the course. Other practitioners in BMD will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The course fees inclusive of the non-compulsory on-campus workshop will be $1,200.00.

Management of the course

Responsibility for the delivery of the course materials lies with Mrs Alison Evans (M HSc, Certificate of Specialisation in Bone Mineral Densitometry (University of Sydney), ISCD qualification.

Aim and objectives

The course aims to provide practitioners working in the field of BMD with an introduction of its theoretical basis. Upon successful completion of the course, practitioners will have developed knowledge and understanding of:

1. The development of densitometry technology and dual-energy x-ray absorptometry
2. Radiation safety and radiation dose implications
3. Scan acquisition and scan analysis of the four main sites of measurement
4. Report generation and statistical analysis

Assessment

Registrants will complete a Clinical Workbook which will be constructed to allow them to demonstrate application of the clinical context of the theory modules. In addition, registrants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge through a short test submitted with the clinical workbook.

Payment details

No refunds are available
This document becomes a TAX INVOICE upon payment
ABN: 12 377614 012
Please photocopy for your records. All prices are inclusive of GST
A receipt will be provided upon payment made

Please download this attachment and fax to:
Ms Eugenia Sequeira-Leo
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Building 13C, Room 132C
Monash University VIC 3800

Phone: 03 9905 8196
Fax: 03 9905 2547
Email: Eugenia.Sequeira-Leo@med.monash.edu.au

Curricular outline

Module 1
Development of quantitative bone mineral measurements:
SPA, DPA, DXA, QCT, U/S
Theory of Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptometry
Radiation safety and principles

Module 2
Instrument Quality Control: accuracy and precision
Instrument specific quality control methodologies
Interpretation of Quality Control results

Module 3
Pathogenesis of osteoporosis
Epidemiology of osteoporosis
Definition and WHO criteria of osteoporosis
Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Patient communication

Module 4
Clinical use of densitometry in fracture risk assessment
Statistical principles of T-scores and Z-scores
Reference ranges
Longitudinal monitoring of bone mineral status

Module 5
Scan acquisition of the lumbar spine
Scan analysis of the lumbar spine
Interpretation of the lumbar spine DXA scan
Difficulties and artefacts in the proximal femur DXA scan

Module 6
Scan acquisition of the proximal femur
Scan analysis of the proximal femur
Interpretation of the proximal femur DXA scan
Difficulties and artefacts in the proximal femur DXA scan

Module 7
Scan acquisition of the forearm
Scan analysis and interpretation of the forearm
Difficulties and artefacts of the forearm scan
Scan acquisition of the Total Body Scan
Scan analysis of the Total Body Scan
Difficulties and artefacts of the Total Body Scan