BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RADIOLOGY

Course Overview
Radiography provides veterinary practices with a vital diagnostic tool. The value of that tool, however, is directly related to the quality of the images obtained. Poor technique can result in missing a foreign body, bone cancer or a fracture. Congestion in the lungs - is it fluid or mucous? Masses? What about the radiograph of that swollen abdomen? Is the radiograph of sufficient diagnostic quality to reveal if it is ascites or an abdominal mass? Besides the risk of missing or misinterpreting a problem, poor radiographs cost the practice money. The cost of retakes in staff time and material costs can reduce the income from the procedure to almost nil. On a busy day, repeated takes can greatly increase stress to the team as well as to the patient. The ability to take and process quality radiographs is a combination of education and skill. Many team members are given a cursory introduction that does not provide all the needed training. Although quality training requires an investment of both time and money, the benefits to the practice, the patient, the client, and the team greatly outweigh the cost of poor radiographic technique. This 6-week course provides participants with the training needed to understand the fundamentals of the functioning of radiographic systems, as well as safety concerns and exposure monitoring. It includes a step-by-step technique chart review including a creation handout. A review of machines and preparation includes a printable checklist for use at the practice. Positioning aids, film markers and identification, logs and filing protocols are covered as well. Small animal technique and positioning instructions, along with pictures, help the student focus on the appropriate method for obtaining the best diagnostic image results for the abdomen, thorax, chest, shoulder, scapula, skull, spine, pelvis, forelimb and hindlimb. Large animal (using the horse as model) radiograph instructions include equipment used, safety concerns, and positioning and technique instruction of the foot, navicular, pastern, fetlock, meta-carpus/tarsus, carpus, and tarsus. All positioning instructions include pictures with directional targets to show where the x-ray beam should be focused. Avian and exotic techniques and positioning overviews and tips are provided as well. This course also addresses general dental radiography including the anatomy of the dental radiograph machine, dental film and film processing along with small animal dental positioning, including troubleshooting tips and technique usage. Contrast studies and patient considerations as well as an overview of ultrasound rounds out the course. NOTE: This course was updated in Spring 2011. It was lengthened from 4 to 6 weeks and contains new and revised content and assignments.

Course Overview

Radiography provides veterinary practices with a vital diagnostic tool. The value of that tool, however, is directly related to the quality of the images obtained. Poor technique can result in missing a foreign body, bone cancer or a fracture. Congestion in the lungs - is it fluid or mucous? Masses? What about the radiograph of that swollen abdomen? Is the radiograph of sufficient diagnostic quality to reveal if it is ascites or an abdominal mass? Besides the risk of missing or misinterpreting a problem, poor radiographs cost the practice money. The cost of retakes in staff time and material costs can reduce the income from the procedure to almost nil. On a busy day, repeated takes can greatly increase stress to the team as well as to the patient. The ability to take and process quality radiographs is a combination of education and skill.

Many team members are given a cursory introduction that does not provide all the needed training. Although quality training requires an investment of both time and money, the benefits to the practice, the patient, the client, and the team greatly outweigh the cost of poor radiographic technique. This 6-week course provides participants with the training needed to understand the fundamentals of the functioning of radiographic systems, as well as safety concerns and exposure monitoring. It includes a step-by-step technique chart review including a creation handout.

A review of machines and preparation includes a printable checklist for use at the practice. Positioning aids, film markers and identification, logs and filing protocols are covered as well. Small animal technique and positioning instructions, along with pictures, help the student focus on the appropriate method for obtaining the best diagnostic image results for the abdomen, thorax, chest, shoulder, scapula, skull, spine, pelvis, forelimb and hindlimb. Large animal (using the horse as model) radiograph instructions include equipment used, safety concerns, and positioning and technique instruction of the foot, navicular, pastern, fetlock, meta-carpus/tarsus, carpus, and tarsus.

All positioning instructions include pictures with directional targets to show where the x-ray beam should be focused. Avian and exotic techniques and positioning overviews and tips are provided as well. This course also addresses general dental radiography including the anatomy of the dental radiograph machine, dental film and film processing along with small animal dental positioning, including troubleshooting tips and technique usage. Contrast studies and patient considerations as well as an overview of ultrasound rounds out the course.

NOTE: This course was updated in Spring 2011. It was lengthened from 4 to 6 weeks and contains new and revised content and assignments.

Continuing Education Credits
Course meets the requirements for 15 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery.

Participation Access Parameters
VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in while a course is in session at times convenient to personal schedules. PLEASE NOTE: This course contains flash based Articulate presentations. iPhones and iPads are not natively flash compatible but if a flash compatible browser has been installed on the iPad the presentations will play correctly. This link Flash on iPads provides information on flash compatible browsers. The presentations may also be viewed on a Mac.

Participation Access Parameters

VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in while a course is in session at times convenient to personal schedules.

PLEASE NOTE: This course contains flash based Articulate presentations. iPhones and iPads are not natively flash compatible but if a flash compatible browser has been installed on the iPad the presentations will play correctly. This link Flash on iPads provides information on flash compatible browsers. The presentations may also be viewed on a Mac.

Course Content
Basic Principles of Radiology is a 6-week course designed to provide an overview of basic concepts related to diagnostic imaging. Emphasis is placed on x-ray production, safety, technique, positioning, and special procedures as well as practical applications of these concepts. Dental radiography is included. Basic information on ultrasound procedures is covered as well. This course will provide the student with an overall understanding of diagnostic radiographic production for small and large animals as well as exotics

Course Content

Basic Principles of Radiology is a 6-week course designed to provide an overview of basic concepts related to diagnostic imaging. Emphasis is placed on x-ray production, safety, technique, positioning, and special procedures as well as practical applications of these concepts. Dental radiography is included. Basic information on ultrasound procedures is covered as well. This course will provide the student with an overall understanding of diagnostic radiographic production for small and large animals as well as exotics

Course Focus and Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: Explain the production of x-rays Utilize the appropriate positioning for small and large animal radiography Illustrate the appropriate positioning for exotic and avian patients Recognize the safety concerns associated with radiography Implement the methods for identifying and filing radiographs Describe the procedure for processing diagnostic radiographs Demonstrate an understanding of troubleshooting image quality problems in diagnostic radiographs Acquire a basic knowledge of special radiographic procedures Discuss dental radiology including special equipment used and positioning methods

Course Focus and Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Explain the production of x-rays
Utilize the appropriate positioning for small and large animal radiography
Illustrate the appropriate positioning for exotic and avian patients
Recognize the safety concerns associated with radiography
Implement the methods for identifying and filing radiographs
Describe the procedure for processing diagnostic radiographs
Demonstrate an understanding of troubleshooting image quality problems in diagnostic radiographs
Acquire a basic knowledge of special radiographic procedures
Discuss dental radiology including special equipment used and positioning methods

Testimonials
...I liked the review of material I have not used in some time, being able to appreciate the areas of radiology I normally do not encounter , becoming more intune with reading xrays. ...The fact that I had to look for the different dental radiographic equipment was very helpful. ...very detailed descriptions of positioning, also included helpful tips. ...The assignments and their reviews were helpful b/c they required more research which was a great learning tool. ...I liked the easy to read and understand course content and the positioning photos. ...I really enjoyed how educated my instructor was on the subject, she was also very willing to assist if needed. I appreciated the videos, although they were quite lengthy. The information was extremely beneficial for me at my job, and I learned a great deal of new information and techniques I can apply daily to my job. I would love to take more courses offered by this instructor or in this category. ...I love the assignments. Having assignments like these really improves my retention of the information. ...I love the flexibility of online learning and being able to work at my own pace around my schedule. ...The instructor was great-very knowledgeable,helpful and supportive.

Testimonials

...I liked the review of material I have not used in some time, being able to appreciate the areas of radiology I normally do not encounter , becoming more intune with reading xrays.

...The fact that I had to look for the different dental radiographic equipment was very helpful.

...very detailed descriptions of positioning, also included helpful tips.

...The assignments and their reviews were helpful b/c they required more research which was a great learning tool.

...I liked the easy to read and understand course content and the positioning photos.

...I really enjoyed how educated my instructor was on the subject, she was also very willing to assist if needed. I appreciated the videos, although they were quite lengthy. The information was extremely beneficial for me at my job, and I learned a great deal of new information and techniques I can apply daily to my job. I would love to take more courses offered by this instructor or in this category.

...I love the assignments. Having assignments like these really improves my retention of the information.

...I love the flexibility of online learning and being able to work at my own pace around my schedule.

...The instructor was great-very knowledgeable,helpful and supportive.

Course Completion Requirements
Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include: Instructor Graded Interactive Module Assignments: Designed to help the participant reinforce newly learned material Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better Course survey Shortly after the course ends, completed students will be able to access a VetMedTeam certificate of completion that will document the RACE credits earned. NOTE: Due to the nature of the completion assignments, students should be actively employed at a veterinary practice.

Course Completion Requirements

Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include:

Instructor Graded Interactive Module Assignments: Designed to help the participant reinforce newly learned material

Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better

Course survey

Shortly after the course ends, completed students will be able to access a VetMedTeam certificate of completion that will document the RACE credits earned.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the completion assignments, students should be actively employed at a veterinary practice.

Course Instructor
Julie Ekedahl, VMD, DACVR Originally a native of the Southeast, Dr. Ekedahl graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Biology. After undergraduate, she worked in a research laboratory for a year before attending the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving her VMD, Dr. Ekedahl interned in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by a residency in Radiology, also at UGA. She passed the Radiology Boards and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology. After her residency, Dr. Ekedahl traveled for 8 months, visiting Africa, Asia, New Zealand and Australia before settling in Boise, Idaho with her husband. She started Veterinary Imaging Specialists of Idaho, PC that provides film interpretation and mobile ultrasound services. Dr. Ekedahl is a member of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, the AVMA, the IdahoVMA, and the Boise Academy. She is the mother of a three year old girl and five year old boy and she enjoys both tea parties and building with Legos. Her other interests include learning to play the fiddle, quilting, and telemark skiing.

Course Instructor

Julie Ekedahl, VMD, DACVR

Originally a native of the Southeast, Dr. Ekedahl graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Biology. After undergraduate, she worked in a research laboratory for a year before attending the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving her VMD, Dr. Ekedahl interned in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by a residency in Radiology, also at UGA. She passed the Radiology Boards and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

After her residency, Dr. Ekedahl traveled for 8 months, visiting Africa, Asia, New Zealand and Australia before settling in Boise, Idaho with her husband. She started Veterinary Imaging Specialists of Idaho, PC that provides film interpretation and mobile ultrasound services.

Dr. Ekedahl is a member of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, the AVMA, the IdahoVMA, and the Boise Academy. She is the mother of a three year old girl and five year old boy and she enjoys both tea parties and building with Legos. Her other interests include learning to play the fiddle, quilting, and telemark skiing.

Upcoming Sessions

Pricing
Price: $209.00 USD Students may enroll in this course after it has begun, up to the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of the course. There are no real time sessions. The design of this course allows each student to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline.

Pricing

Price: $209.00 USD

Students may enroll in this course after it has begun, up to the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of the course. There are no real time sessions. The design of this course allows each student to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RADIOLOGY

Follow Us & Share