Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Radiology

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Radiology is to complement and expand the specialist training of a Diagnostic Radiologist by enhancing clinical practice and teaching of paediatric radiology at all levels of health care in South Africa, particularly in Africa, through the development of specialists' expertise in paediatric imaging techniques and familiarity with protocols, appropriate to the continent's burden of childhood disease.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Analyse and apply theories, methods, techniques, and knowledge appropriate to paediatric radiology practice.
• Perform computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging techniques safely, effectively and to a high standard.
• Select and safely use imaging parameters for a range of core CT, MRI examinations, including alternatives.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and knowledge of the physical and emotional aspects of patient care in CT and MRI.
• Select and apply or transfer appropriate standard procedures, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a paediatric radiology practice.

Rationale

Radiology registrar training in South Africa affords very limited exposure to dedicated paediatric radiology. No post-specialisation qualification in paediatric imaging is currently offered in South Africa or sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, there is currently no mechanism for supervised postgraduate training in paediatric radiology in the region, although such training is standard in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australasia, and North America. The institution and its teaching hospitals are in a unique position to offer supervision and training in Paediatric Radiology.

The qualification centres on one-on-one clinical supervision, consistent with an apprenticeship system rather than developing Master's graduates. Unfortunately, there are no recognised sub-specialities offered in Diagnostic Radiology by the Health Professions Council South Africa (HPCSA) or Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). The qualification, therefore, offers qualified Diagnostic Radiology specialists the opportunity to broaden their

knowledge in Paediatric Radiology.

Children have their own unique set of disease spectrum and given the known side effects of radiation, need particular attention paid to radiation control. Red Cross Children's Hospital is South Africa's only Paediatric liver transplant centre. It is a major Paediatric renal transplant, Oncology, Nephrology, Neurology, Neuro-developmental, Endocrine, Critical care, Urological, Cardiothoracic, Neurosurgical, General Surgical and Trauma Centre.

The current qualification is the only one offered in Sub Saharan Africa in the Department of Paediatric Radiology at Red Cross Children's Hospital which performs approximately 34, 000 examinations per year. This allows exposure to practically the entire spectrum of normal and pathologic imaging findings one can encounter in Paediatric practice. Red Cross Children's Hospital is a tertiary teaching hospital and at any one time is training two - three registrars together with the Postgraduate Paediatric fellow.

The qualification can allow the training of one fellow per year. During this time the focus remains on clinical training in all modalities where fellows are taken back to basic registrar teaching and have a hands-on approach with the children they are working with, however with the knowledge of a mature specialist.

Qualifying learners will have the full spectrum of Radiology career options, including employment in

• The public sector as a general Radiologist at secondary or tertiary level, locally, in Africa and/or internationally.
• The local private sector as a general Radiologist.
• Clinical or academic paediatric practice locally, in Africa and/or internationally.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. RPL is following the institutional policy. RPL will allow a learner to gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status. The learner needs to apply formally for RPL.

RPL for access

• Learners who have not completed a Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology but have a minimum of four years of registrarship in an accredited general radiology-training programme will be eligible for admission based on RPL.
• In this regard, the institution recognises all forms of informal and non-formal learning to admission into its qualifications.
• Learners' application based on RPL will include a detailed logbook of training completed, and any other information relevant to the application, which will be assessed on which will be evaluated by the convenor and Head of Department. A recommendation will be made to the Dean who has the delegated authority to approve.

RPL for credits

• Credit is granted for RPL when in the assessment of the institution's selection committee, the learner's knowledge and skills correspond to the learning outcomes of the qualification or specific module for which credit is applied.
• The fundamental underlying principle of the recognition of prior learning (RPL) at the institution is the granting exemption for modules for which it is determined a potential learner meets the exit criteria.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Diagnostic Radiography, NQF Level 07.

Or

• Bachelor of Technology in Radiography: Diagnostic, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Registered as a Diagnostic Radiologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 08 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,140 Credits

• Specific Modalities in Paediatric Radiology, 70 Credits.
• Research and Presentations for Paediatric Radiology, 14 Credits.
• General Clinical Paediatric Radiology, 56 Credits.

1. Analyse and apply comprehensive knowledge, theories, methods, and research methodologies appropriate to paediatric radiology practice.
2. Evaluate and apply appropriate techniques relevant to the practice of paediatric radiology.
3. Identify and apply research skills and principles to solve clinical problems and/or to develop strategies for the improvement of paediatric radiology practice drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to a field.
4. Apply advanced ethical principles of human rights, ethics and medical law which ensure the well-being of the patients and act ethically and professionally especially in the paediatric radiology context.
5. Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation, and management processes in paediatric radiology contexts to develop creative responses to clinical problems and issues.
6. Produce, present and communicate clinical discourse, occupational ideas, and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues to care for patients in a multidisciplinary environment.
7. Select and apply or transfer appropriate standard procedures, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a paediatric radiology practice.
8. Apply in a self-critical manner learning strategies which effectively address learners' professional and ongoing learning needs and the professional and ongoing learning needs of others to remain current with the latest literature on the paediatric radiology context.
9. Take responsibility for the integration of the knowledge attained.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Analyse and apply comprehensive knowledge, theories, methods, technology, and research methodologies appropriate to paediatric radiology practice.
• Evaluate and correctly apply the paediatric radiology imaging techniques on specific machines and ensure the imaging protocol applied is appropriate for the clinical case.
• Correctly apply the imaging doses acceptable to paediatric practice on specific machines.
• Accurately apply the images sequence selection of certain imaging modalities.
• Portray proficiently expertise and critical knowledge in the field of paediatric radiological anatomy.
• Identify and correctly diagnose congenital anomalies.
• Apply thorough knowledge and expertise of paediatric radiological pathology specific to each imaging modality.
• Accurately report plain film radiographs performed in the investigation of paediatric disorders.
• Correctly select Computed Tomography (CT) study, contrast indications, dose reduction techniques and knowledge.
• Apply Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by emphasizing correct sequence and parameter selection, use of contrast, risk factors and knowledge.
• Evaluate and apply paediatric anatomy, congenital anomalies, normal variants, and clinical practice relevant to the practice of radiology in the African context.
• Apply detailed knowledge of disease entities specific to the paediatric age group and their clinical manifestations relevant to radiology particularly in, but not specific to, the African context.
• Apply detailed knowledge of disease entities specific to the paediatric age group and their manifestations on conventional radiography, ultrasound, contrast studies, CT, and MRI.
• Analyse and apply the radiological signs and methods of investigation to pathology and physiology.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge of appropriate, cost-effective, current, imaging protocols for the investigation of paediatric diseases in the African context.
• Critically evaluate the research articles and documents.
• Evaluate and synthesise the evidence from multiple sources.
• Select, produce, and present appropriate academic communication, writing for the clinical environment effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues.