Units / RAD5108
RAD5108 · Musculoskeletal x-ray image interpretation 1
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
You will build upon your clinical expertise and professional experience. Your existing knowledge about appearances on radiographic images in the field of emergency image interpretation of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs and the cervical spine will be complemented You will apply a systematic methodology to interpret radiographic images involving trauma, sport injuries, and common pathologies including trauma and non-trauma conditions affecting adult and paediatric patients. You will learn how to use evidence-based information to communicate your findings of both normal and abnormal radiographic appearances of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs and the cervical spine. You will learn to increase your capability in decision making and clinical judgement which can be communicated in acute care settings. You will learn to contextualise the practice of radiographic image interpretation in the broader context of the health care system and patient management.
Areas of study: Medical ultrasound
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching is all online (ONLINE) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Case study analysis and reflection (2,000 words) | Written | 30% | — |
| 2 | Exam (100 mins) | Examination | 40% | Competency |
| 3 | Portfolio (2,000 words) | Portfolio | 30% | Competency |
Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Apply the mechanisms of injury and/or clinical signs or symptoms of injury to the abnormal radiographic appearances of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs and the cervical spine.
- Apply a systematic and logical approach to the radiographic evaluation of the bones, joints and soft tissues in certain anatomical regions.
- Interpret radiographs involving trauma, sport injuries, and common non-trauma pathologies of the upper limbs, shoulders, and cervical spine to distinguish between normal and abnormal radiographic appearances.
- Apply clinical decision rules and knowledge of the measurement of accuracy and error in the interpretation of radiographic images.
- Compose descriptions of radiographic appearances on radiographs involving trauma and non-trauma pathologies affecting the regions covered in this unit in adult and paediatric patients.
- Display appropriate interprofessional communication terminology to alert other members of the health care team to abnormal and normal radiographic appearances.
Workload
Off-campus: 6 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 6 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | — |
| Tutorials | — |
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