Concepts, theories, and equipment employed in breast imaging. Emphasis will be placed on breast anatomy, physiology, routine and individual projections and positions, patient education, and assessment. Content will include mammographic techniques for breast compression, magnification, specimen radiography, and selection of technical factors. Course will integrate interventional procedures, special exams, and special modalities. Quality Control and Quality Assurance procedures as described in the Mammography Quality Control Manual will be addressed.
At the completion of this online self-learning course, the student will be able to demonstrate understanding of the following material:
- Patient education and assessment in the mammography environment. (IA,B,D,E,IIIC,D,E,2B,C,F,3A,B,C)
- Mammographic instrumentation and quality assurance.(IA,B,IIC,E,1C,3D,4A,B,C,5A,B.C)
- Breast Pathology, anatomy, and physiology.(IA,B,IIE)
- Mammographic technique and image evaluation.(IA,B,IIb,D,E,IIIA,D,1C,3A,B,D,4B,C,5A,B,C)
- Mammographic positioning and interventional procedures.(IA,D,E,IIA,B,C,D,E,F,IIIA,B,C,D,E,1C,D,2A,B,C,F,3A,B,C,D,4A,B,C,5A,B,C)
- Digital mammographic equipment, image acquisition, and advanced technologies.(IA,B,IIB,CE,F,IIIA,D,3A,B,5A,B,C)
Performance Objectives: (Cognitive Domain) All objectives to be met by successfully (90% or higher) completing the individual module learning assessments.
- Patient Education and Assessment in the mammography environment.
(IA,B,D,E,IIIC,D,E,2B,C,F,3A,B,C)
1. Describe various epidemiologies of breast disease.
2. Explain early detection of breast disease.
3. List diagnostic options for detection and diagnosis.
4. Describe the different treatment options.
B. Mammographic instrumentation and quality assurance.
(IA,B,IIC,E,1C,3D,4A,B,C,5A,B.C)
1. Identify the design characteristics of mammography units.
2. Name all the imaging components.
3. List and describe all the federally mandated quality assurance standards.
C. Breast Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology (IA,B,IIE)
1. Comprehension of needle localization terminology.
2. Identification of breast and surrounding external anatomy.
3. Identification of breast and surrounding internal anatomy.
4. Identify and understand the microscopic structure of the breast organic tissue.
5. List, Define, and explain various breast pathology.
D. Mammographic Technique and Image Evaluation
(IA,B,IIb,D,E,IIIA,D,1C,3A,B,D,4B,C,5A,B,C)
1. Differentiate between technical factors according to patient habitus and condition.
2. Explain the purpose and methods of breast compression.
3. Explain the purpose and methods of magnification techniques.
4. Evaluate and analyze mammographic image quality.
E. Mammographic Positioning and Interventional Procedures
(IA,D,E,IIA,B,C,D,E,F,IIIA,B,C,D,E,1C,D,2A,B,C,F,3A,B,C,D,4A,B,C,5A,B,C)
1. List and explain the mammographic standard views.
2. Describe the various additional views used for diagnosis.
3. Recognize different manifestations of patient special circumstances.
4. Describe and explain the purpose for the various mammographic interventional procedures.
F. Digital mammographic equipment, image acquisition, and advanced technologies. (IA,B,IIB,CE,F,IIIA,D,3A,B,5A,B,C)
1. Understand the various differences between screen/film and digital equipment.
2. Describe the process of and approaches to image acquisition.
3. Explain the advantages and disadvantages between screen/film and digital mammography.
4. Describe the advanced technologies associated with digital mammography.
Mammographic Imaging A Practical Guide 3rd Edition, Andolina, Lille, Willson ACR 1999 Mammography Quality Control Manual Lange Q&A: Mammography Examination,3rd Edition, Olive, Peart
Radiologic Physics for Technologist, 9th edition, Bushong Digital Mammography, Pisano, Yaffe, Kuzmiak Practical Digital Mammography, Hashimoto Mammography and Breast Imaging- Just the Facts, Peart MQSA website ARRT Mammography Certification Handbook
This course requires access to a computer, the internet, and email. If you should have any technical difficulties, please send an email to TechnologyServiceDesk@wc.edu or call 817-598-6364.
Module Post Tests:
Overall course assessment is derived from the 11 self-learning module post-tests and a mid -term and final comprehensive examination. All tests are conducted online. The tests will consist of objective type questions.
Mid-Term and Final Comprehensive Examination:
The mid-term and final comprehensive examination must be proctored, therefore, the student must arrange with the instructor for date, time, and place.
The student will receive a formal certificate of completion from the school after successfully completing the module post-tests, mid-term and final comprehensive examination, and the course evaluation.
COURSE GRADING:
A=91-100
B=83-90
C=78-82
D=77-74
F=73 and under
Assignments 10%
Each student must participate in one instructor approved, course related, discussion board open ended question. Each student must respond to the posted question with a meaningful response with a minimum of 200 words with correct grammar and punctuation (“I agree” is not an appropriate response).
Unit Quizzes 30%
You must complete the quizzes within the allotted time allowed. You have 2 chances to take the timed quizzes
Mid Term Exam 30%
This is a closed book exam covering course content to date. This will be a proctored exam taken at the testing center. For testing center information please go to https://www.wc.edu/admissions/testing-centers/student-testing-guidelines testing center hours are in this section of your Moodle page.
Comprehensive Final 30%
This is a closed book exam covering all course content. This will be a proctored exam. For testing center information go to https://www.wc.edu/admissions/testing-centers/student-testing-guidelines.
End of Course Outcomes:
Discuss breast anatomy and physiology; conduct patient education and assessment; explain routine and additional projections used in mammography; differentiate special modalities; apply the concepts and theories to the equipment employed in breast imaging; determine breast compression, magnification, and selection of technical factors; describe the required Quality Control Tests as specified by the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA).
Getting in Touch With Instructor: The BEST and most efficient way to get in touch with your instructor is through the WC email server. Students will receive a reply to email messages within 24 hours. (Messages received on Saturday and Sunday or late in the evening may not receive a reply until the next business day.)
Online self-learning modules, post-module testing, and comprehensive examinations.
ADA Statement:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.
This course continues the programs attention to the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills for the workforce. The 3 foundational competencies are labeled with Roman numeral and alpha item signifiers. The Five competencies are labeled 1-5, with alpha item signifiers.(see attachment)
SCANS
A THREE-PART FOUNDATION
I. Basic Skills: Reads, writes, performs arithmetic and mathematical operations, listens and speaks
A. Reading — locates, understands, and interprets written information in prose and in
documents such as manuals, graphs, and schedules
B. Writing — communicates thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing; and
creates documents such as letters, directions, manuals, reports, graphs, and flow charts
C. Arithmetic/Mathematics — performs basic computations and approaches practical
problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical techniques
D. Listening — receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages and other
cues
E. Speaking — organizes ideas and communicates orally
II. Thinking Skills: Thinks creatively, makes decisions, solves problems, visualizes, knows
how to learn and reasons
A. Creative Thinking — generates new ideas
B. Decision Making — specifies goals and constraints, generates alternatives, considers
risks, and evaluates and chooses best alternative
C. Problem Solving — recognizes problems and devises and implements plan of action
D. Seeing Things in the Mind’s Eye — organizes, and processes symbols, pictures, graphs,
objects and other information
E. Knowing How to Learn — uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new
knowledge and skills
F. Reasoning — discovers a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or
more objects and applies it when solving a problem
III. Personal Qualities: Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and
integrity and honesty
A. Responsibility — exerts a high level of effort and perseveres towards goal attainment
B. Self-Esteem — believes in own self-worth and maintains a positive view of self
C. Sociability — demonstrates understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and
politeness in group settings
D. Self-Management — assesses self accurately, sets personal goals, monitors progress, and
exhibits self-control
E. Integrity/Honesty — chooses ethical courses of action
FIVE COMPETENCIES
1. Resources: Identifies, organizes, plans, and allocates resources
A. Time & Selects goal-relevant activities, ranks them, allocates time, and prepares and follows
schedules
B. Money & Uses or prepares budgets, makes forecasts, keeps records, and makes adjustments to
meet objectives
C. Material and Facilities & Acquires, stores, allocates, and uses materials or space efficiently
D. Human Resources & Assesses skills and distributes work accordingly, evaluates performance
and provides feedback
2. Interpersonal: Works with others
A. Participates as a Member of a Team & contributes to group effort
B. Teaches Others New Skills
C. Serves Clients/Customers & works to satisfy customers’ expectations
D. Exercises Leadership & communicates ideas to justify position, persuades and convinces
others, responsibly challenges existing procedures and policies
E. Negotiates & works toward agreements involving exchange of resources, resolves divergent
interests
F. Works with Diversity & works well with men and women from diverse backgrounds
3. Information: Acquires and uses information
A. Acquires and Evaluates Information
B. Organizes and Maintains Information
C. Interprets and Communicates Information
D. Uses Computers to Process Information
4. Systems: Understands complex inter-relationships
A. Understands Systems & knows how social, organizational, and technological systems work
and operates effectively with them
B. Monitors and Corrects Performance & distinguishes trends, predicts impacts on system
operations, diagnoses deviations in systems’ performance and corrects malfunctions
C. Improves or Designs Systems & suggests modifications to existing systems and develops new
or alternative systems to improve performance
5. Technology: Works with a variety of technologies
A. Selects Technology & chooses procedures, tools or equipment including computers and
related technologies
B. Applies Technology to Task & Understands overall intent and proper procedures for setup and
operation of equipment
C. Maintains and Troubleshoots Equipment & Prevents, identifies, or solves problems with
equipment, including computers and other technologies.