The Radiography Department at Tygerberg Hospital is breaking new grounds in the field of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
The department is the first in South Africa to offer a structured one-year post-graduate course in MRI. The Health Professions council of South Africa (HPCSA) has approved the course as an additional qualification. Six radiographers successfully completed the course last year.

MRI has become the imaging modality of choice in the management of patients who present with various medical histories. This is because MRI can image virtually every part of the body.

Ms Valdiela Daries, a lecturer in the department and the MRI course co-ordinator, said traditionally radiographers have received “on-the-job” training to operate the very expensive, sophisticated imaging equipment with no significant background of MRI physics, principles and techniques.

“The MRI course was developed, not only for the need for radiographers to develop professionally, but new technological advances in MRI are introduced regularly. It has become essential for radiographers to be informed of the latest international developments,” said Ms Daries.

The radiographers attend block periods for lectures. Various radiologists, engineers, technicians, application specialists and radiographers lecture during the course. Experts in the field act as examiners, moderators, presenters and demonstrators. The students are required to do 700 hours of practical training in their workplace.

“As the Council on Higher Education (CHE) requires proof of acceptance from the radiography professional body before they consider our application, we will shortly forward our application to the CHE for institutional accreditation,” said Ms Daries.

CAPTION:

First graduates of the Postgraduate certificate in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. At the back: Mr Carlo Wagner (Symington & Partners: N1 City), Ms Monique van Niekerk (Schnetler & Partners: Panorama), Ms Patricia Heidmann (Morton & Partners: Claremont), Ms Bronwen Mackrill (Morton & Partners: Claremont), Ms Natalie Bennie (Tuft & Partners, Constantiaberg). In front: Ms Estelle Arendse (Tygerberg Academic Hospital), Ms Valdiela Daries (CPUT lecturer and course co-ordinator), Ms Naomi Fenton (HOD: Symington & Partners and course co-ordinator).

Written by CPUT News
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The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) postgraduate course offered by the Radiography Department at the Tygerberg Hospital Campus is reaching a wider audience as it now also attracts international students.

The course, which dates back to 2005, is currently the only professional development course available to South African radiographers who wish to obtain a recognised additional qualification in the field of MRI.

Among 11 students who registered this year, was one from Uganda.

The Ugandan student is completing his clinical component at the Radiology Department in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

According to Valdiela Daries, a Radiography lecturer at the department, the student will use his newly acquired knowledge and skills to educate radiographers in his own country.

All lectures take place in the Radiography Training Division at the Tygerberg Hospital Campus.

The course consists of two components, of which both have to be completed at the end of the academic year which begins in January and ends in December of each year.

The course covers both the theoretical component and the clinical component.

The MRI students attended the second compulsory academic block from the 24th to the 28th of August 2009.

During the academic block, students received various lectures on advanced imaging techniques in MRI.

Daries said the students also presented interesting case studies and completed a compulsory examination.

To date, 25 radiographers from South Africa have successfully completed the MRI postgraduate certificate course.

Daries said: “Successful students will obtain the additional qualification in MRI in December 2009.”

The MRI is one of the imaging modalities with the fastest moving technological advances.

These new technological advances have created an enormous opportunity for radiographers to become specialist in the field of MRI.

Radiographers who use MR imager should fully understand the principles of how this powerful modality works in order to contribute positively to the management of the patient.

The department only accepts a maximum of 10 candidates per year.

The admission requirements include a diploma or degree in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent qualification.

A minimum of two years experience in Computed Tomography coupled with professional registration with the Health Professional Council of South Africa also serve as requirements.

CPUT’s Radiography Department is still the only department that offers a post-graduate course in MRI in South Africa.

By Andiswa Dantile

Written by CPUT News
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