Reference no: EM132439739
Medical Physics - Extended Response Task
Medical Physics is about fighting disease. It's a specialised branch of applied physics that is at the forefront of advancements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer and heart disease through the use of physics and technology. Imaging with X-rays, Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance, Computed Tomography, as well as Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy, are all branches of Medical Physics where continued research is being conducted with visible impact on human health. (Ryerson University 2009)
Task Requirements -
A child has presented to a doctor with shortness of breath and was complaining of coughing during and after exercise. A preliminary X-ray shows a large soft-tissue region within the chest cavity. The region has the appearance of very vascular soft-tissue and has displaced a significant proportion of the child's right lung. It should be noted that the region is significantly denser than the normal lung it has occupied.
As an advisory physicist, you are required to make general recommendations regarding suitable diagnostic investigations. You should specifically indicate the strengths and weaknesses of further investigations using MRI, PET, CT, ultrasound or any other non-invasive diagnostic procedure that might prove beneficial. At least three (3) different non-invasive diagnostic procedures must be outlined, compared/contrasted and a final recommendation given.
You are NOT required to develop a diagnostic investigative regime; rather your advice is sought regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each investigative technology/modality and to make recommendations in regards to the appropriate use of medical physics technologies for the patient's benefit.
Format and helpful tips:
As you conduct your research, design an appropriate and effective structure for your report: use headings and subheadings where necessary - See suggested writing template.
The Introduction/ Background research should be no more than 5 pages. This section should include Physics principles for the MOST suitable technologies recommended for diagnosis.
1000 - 1500 words is the length of the Discussion, Conclusions and/or Recommendations of your report which should include:
The benefits of a range of modalities/technologies - compared to less suitable/preferable techniques.
The risks of the preferred technologies, if any, especially where the risks may be greater than some modalities which are not recommended.
Tables, graphs and diagrams may be used in addition to this, but should be clearly labelled and referenced appropriately.
In-text referencing must be thorough and correct throughout the report.
A bibliography must be included. The sources listed in your bibliography should be referenced somewhere in the text.
Notes of all your research should be recorded in your journal.
Your research in your journal should be organised into general questions regarding medical physics that you wrote and researched yourself AND more specific questions regarding particular techniques and scenarios that you discovered by carrying out your initial research.