MSc Medical Imaging Reflection on CT and MRI Study Day Experience

This report provides a detailed reflection on a medical imaging study day focused on Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) within the field of medical radiography. The reflection utilizes the Gibbs Reflective Cycle model to analyze the experience, including descriptions of the study day, personal feelings about the discussions, evaluations of the topics, and a detailed analysis of the event. The report highlights the discussion around the cost of MRI and CT scans, the impact on patients, and the implications for professional practice. The author then outlines an action plan to address the issues raised, and concludes with a summary of the learning outcomes and how the insights gained will enhance their professional practice, especially in terms of patient care and empathy. The report also includes references to relevant literature and research in the field of medical imaging.

MSc Medical Imaging
Advanced Practice – Negotiated Independent Work-Based learning
(Course work activity #1)
"Using an appropriate model, critically reflect on what was learned from a study day or
departmental seminar that you have recently attended relating to your specified area of
study. Consider how the knowledge gained has enhanced the quality of your
professional practice, benefited service delivery and patient care”
Total words: 1000
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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction......................................................................................................................4
2.0 Gibbs Reflective Cycle.....................................................................................................4
2.1 Description....................................................................................................................5
2.2 Feelings.........................................................................................................................6
2.3 Evaluation.....................................................................................................................6
2.4 Analysis........................................................................................................................6
2.5 Conclusion....................................................................................................................7
2.6 Action Plan...................................................................................................................7
3.0 Conclusion....................................................................................................................7- 8
References..............................................................................................................................8
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1.0 Introduction
A study day is an intense session where students congregate in the presence of a tutor
or a peer. To make it more interesting and engaging, the study day revolves around a specific
theme, however, they cover a wide range of issues and topics for debate. The study day
comprises of an array of brief talks that are convened by experts from the pertinent domain.
One of the main features of the study day is that it offers a platform for discussion and allows
students to voice any queries that they might have. Keeping this in mind, the study groups are
usually small in size and follow an informal approach to stimulating interaction. Besides,
study days also present students with a tremendous opportunity to hear about the latest
developments in the field and acquire valuable insights into the topic in question.
During my course, I had been presented with the opportunity to attend a highly
engaging study day consisting of Computed Tomography (CT scan) and Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) and I got acknowledged to new findings and knowledge regarding those
topics. Since my domain of study is medical radiography, this particular CT scan and MRI
study day that I was a part of covered topics such as Computed Tomography (CT) and
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Overall, it was a highly engaging day where I was able
to gain new insights and hear about valuable perspectives from others. Through this paper, I
intend to present a reflection of the learning from the study day and how it helped me
enhance the quality of my professional practice. The reflection will be based on the ‘Gibbs
Reflective Cycle’ model which is widely used in the domain of healthcare (Emery & Chang,
2017, July).
2.0 Gibbs Reflective Cycle
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The reflective cycle presented by Professor Graham Gibbs is specifically beneficial as
it allows people to learn from scenarios that they frequently experience, particularly when
things do not go as per plans. This model comprises of six critical reflection stages (Tanaka,
Okamoto & Koide, 2018) and is outlined as under:-
Figure 1: Gibbs Reflective Cycle
Source: Adopted From (Gibbs, 1988)
2.1 Description
While the study day covered several technical aspects related to MRI and CT which
provided valuable inputs into the latest developments in this domain, one student raised the
issue of cost. MRIs and CT scans are quite expensive and a large amount of money is
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required to be spent to get it done. Cost is one factor that impedes and restricts people from
undergoing a CT or an MRI scan. There is the usage of radio waves and magnetic fields in
MRI which can cause any DNA mutation. This can lead to the development of adverse health
effects. It can also produce claustrophobia. In a CT scan, high doses of radiation are involved.
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2.2 Feelings
Considering that every nation has people belonging to the economically weaker
sections of the society, getting an MRI or CT is beyond their reach. In the same way, the
strong sections of the society can afford the costs of getting an MRI or CT scan. In developed
nations, even people from economically weaker sections are covered under insurance but
most developing nations do not have mandatory insurance coverage. Though I was aware that
the costs were high I had seldom given it a thought. This leads to accumulation of diseases in
the weaker sections of the society due to which they cannot progress. The costs of MRI and
CT scan be only be paid by the economy classes of the society. This brings a gap between the
economy and non-economy sections of the society. When the question was raised, I felt quite
helpless as there is nothing much I could do as an individual to help patients to overcome the
hurdles to meet the expense of the tests.
2.3 Evaluation
According to my evaluation, how the topic was handled was quite well. However,
there were some negative views too where students felt that CT and MRI should not be
recommended for economically weak people. My reaction was that if that is the case, it
would be tantamount to denying the fundamental right of the patient/citizen. Right to health
is a fundamental right. The right states that every individual should enjoy the standards of
health that are attainable irrespective of race, religion. Political belief, economic or social
condition. Also, it was observed that costs for CT / MRI varied according to hospitals
(Sistrom & McKay, 2005). This also raised the issue of hospitals that work for a profit. The
better part of the discussion was that it made us think about adopting ways that can reduce
costs for diagnostic imaging procedures in contrast; the negative aspect was that there was no
immediate solution in sight.
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2.4 Analysis
According to my perception, I feel that the event would have been further enhanced if
the session would have included some stakeholders such as; policymakers, diagnostic
equipment manufacturers, hospital administrators, etc. They would have been in a position to
present their perspective as to the variation in costs within hospitals, for diagnostic imaging,
high equipment costs and what policymakers are doing to make diagnostic imaging
accessible to the economically weaker sections. Ultimately, humans themselves are
responsible for creating this gap among economically rich and poor people in the society.
2.6 Action Plan
Since questions related to costs are not directly linked with us as diagnostic
radiographers, it would be best if appropriate instructions are passed before a study day. This
means that the study should only focus on the technologies and the equipment working
methods. Nothing related to costs or human welfare must be included in the study. Students
should be informed that their questions should only be technical and cost-related or any
aspects that happen to be beyond our scope need not be touched upon. Though it might look
like avoiding this very pressing concern, if such questions have to be encouraged, it would be
better to include stakeholders to gain their inputs.
3.0 Conclusion
On the whole, the study day was a very enriching experience. Not only did we gain
several valuable insights into the latest developments in the domain of diagnostic imaging
such as Lung CT which is now possible(Imaging Technology News, 2016), but we acquired
other insights too. Particularly, the aspect related to costs which everyone concerned is aware
of but are not willing to raise the issue. Costs impede the delivery of diagnostic imaging
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which further hampers the diagnosis and treatment procedure. The government can play a
vital role in this by ensuring that the costs for diagnostic imaging is uniform across hospitals
and offer substantial rebates to patients who are unable to afford. From this experience, I
learned that I need to be empathetic to such patients who are restrained by costs. Whenever I
encounter a patient who has limited financial resources, I redirect them to charitable
institutions where they only have to pay a nominal fee. This allows them to leverage the
potential of technology for getting their ailments diagnosed. As a practitioner of medical
radiology, my response would have been different. I would have first pointed out that doctors
are known to be working in tandem with hospitals on a commission basis. Doctors get a
commission on the number of people they refer to a hospital for CT / MRI. This highlights
the overutilization of diagnostic imaging in healthcare today(Kim et al., 2011). This trend can
be reversed if doctors use discretion and only recommend CT/MRI if it is very essential.
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