CQUniversity Mackay developing as centre of excellence for Medical Imaging and simulation teaching
Published on 26 May, 2011
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh's busy visit to CQUniversity Mackay this week included the official opening of the new $4 million Medical and Applied Sciences Laboratories...
These laboratories are so well equipped with state-of-the-art digital imaging equipment that they rival any clinical department and are expected to become a centre for excellence for simulation teaching and assessment techniques.
LINK to Medical imaging students have a 'phantom' patient for CT scanning
The University is addressing the need for qualified radiographers and sonographers in regional Queensland with inaugural intakes for the four-year Bachelor of Medical Imaging and Bachelor of Medical Sonography/Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography programs at its Mackay Campus. These degrees will deliver regionally-trained specialists for communities experiencing a critical shortage of these skilled professionals.
Medical Imaging is the newest program of its type to be offered on an Australian campus in 10 years, while Sonography is a landmark as the first program offered for undergraduate entry.
The new imaging labs replicate a high-end radiology department. The equipment which will be used to give students practical experience throughout their course was supplied by global health and well-being company Philips Electronics. The students will train on Philips latest x-ray and CT equipment, such as the Digital Diagnost (DR) and MX16 16-slice CT scanner, as well as learn how to utilise mobile equipment in trauma situations with the Practix 360 mobile radiography system. A core component of the course will be procedures for the safe-use of ionizing radiation, and Philips has also supplied its unique DoseAware monitoring technology, which allows clinicians to view their exposure to radiation in real-time enabling them to adjust their working habits and limit further exposure.
Students in the new sonography course will learn techniques and protocols on the industry-leading Philips iU22 ultrasound systems complete with SmartExam protocols and the latest 3D / 4D Matrix transducers. New sonographers will also practice their skills outside of the ultrasound suite with the portable Philips CX50 ultrasound system and the Turbo Sonosite unit for fieldwork. Sonography graduates will be able to perform a wide variety of ultrasound studies including musculoskeletal and some advanced vascular ultrasound procedures, making them highly sought after by industry.
Philips Queensland District Manager Greg Canty joined the opening ceremony as a sign of the company's commitment to the education of Australia's future radiographers and sonographers.
The laboratory is completely filmless and students will become very familiar with a digital environment from the first term onwards. Philips has also supplied an advanced PACs (Picture Archiving and Communication System) at reduced cost and this will be an important component to the professional practice of both professions. This digital medical imaging workflow system enables archival storage, integrates images with patient database information, facilitates laser printing and displays both images and patient information at networked work stations, including those at remote locations (which is useful for a multi-campus university).
Radiography students are able to work with a simulated human torso with synthetic anatomical features and life-like radiation absorption, which acts as a substitute for human patients during learning.
The Sonography program has also designed a volunteer database and will undertake field work with vets and doctors to enable the students to extend their scanning experience. Community engagement is involving local groups with senior representatives to provide a real live component to the program, which has the patient as its main focus. Students undertake clinical placements throughout the programs to consolidate their work on campus and to engage patients in the clinical setting.
Meanwhile, the brand new multi-purpose science laboratory seats a total of 72 students, although it can be divided if required into two 36-seat laboratories. Apart from the imaging programs, the multi-purpose lab is already being used by Nursing students doing anatomy and physiology courses and by Engineering students doing physics classes. Education lecturers have expressed an interest in the space and future Chiropractic students should also find the facility useful.
One end of the laboratory has gas, vacuum, reverse osmosis water and fume hoods. The other end of the lab has open bench space. The labs have been extensively stocked with an array of anatomical models, skeletons (including one real), microscopes, physics equipment and other laboratory equipment to provide the best possible learning outcomes for students. Interactive whiteboards have been installed and all benches have data points and wireless internet to allow the use of computers and interactive software.
Students at the official opening included L-R Brittany Driscoll, Grainne Vaughan, Karen Kemp, Demi Phelan and Catherine Jacquier, with staff member Kelly Spuur 
Medical Imaging and Medical Sonography staff members L-R Maria Maroney, Anita Bowman, Cynthia Cowling, Kelly Spuur and Caroline Falconi