Bone Densitometry Foundation Course (e-learning) Course information This course has been specifically developed to provide candidates with fundamental knowledge of osteoporosis and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Densitometry (DXA). On completion of the online course, candidates will have a basic understanding of: osteoporosis, its assessment and prevention the effects of and regulations on radiation associated with DXA the principles and practical techniques of DXA There is open access to the training modules. There is a charge of 50.00 to access the final assessment and certification for the bone densitometry course, which will be payable prior to the final assessment. CPD credits are awarded to those candidates who pass the assessment. Completion of the online Bone Densitometry Course is highly recommended as preparation for the National Training Scheme for Bone Densitometry. Course background The National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) delivers the National Training Scheme for Bone Densitometry (NTSBD). The NTSBD is the only course in the UK that offers a Certification in Bone Densitometry and only takes place once every two years. The NOS received feedback from people working in the field of osteoporosis and clinical bone densitometry practice, that they would benefit from having access to a learning resource in between NTSBD courses. In response to this feedback, the NOS developed an e-learning course which covers the foundation level content previously delivered in the NTSBD lecture course. The course has been developed by the Bone Densitometry Training Advisory Panel which is comprised of senior lecturers, clinicians and researchers in osteoporosis and bone densitometry. Course audience The course is suitable for anyone working in, or wishing to pursue a career working in, DXA services/ clinical bone densitometry practice, including radiographers, radiologists and DXA technicians/operators.
Course delivery This is an e-learning course. Users will access the course via the NOS website. They will then be given information about registering to join the NOS e-learning raining area on Moodle. Once the user has registered for an account and logged into their account, they will work through the modules. On completion of the modules, they will have the option to complete an online exam. The course administrator will offer support to users where appropriate. Couse aims, objectives and outcomes The Bone Densitometry Foundation Course is an accredited course, recognised by the appropriate professional colleges and institutions, which offers an opportunity for bone densitometry operators to demonstrate their understanding of the basic theory of clinical bone densitometry including: osteoporosis, its assessment and prevention; the effects of and regulations on radiation associated with Dual Energy Absorptiometry X-ray Densitometry; the principles and practical techniques of Dual Energy Absorptiometry X- ray Densitometry. For further information, download the supporting document or contact e.devine@nos.org.uk Course content This e-learning course is divided into three modules. Each module contains video footage of an expert in that area giving a foundation level overview of the topic. The speakers in the videos also speak on the National Training Scheme for Bone Densitometry. Module 1: Understanding, treating and preventing osteoporosis 1a) An Introduction to Osteoporosis 1b) Clinical Assessment of Osteoporosis 1c) Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis Module 2: Radiation and regulation 2a) Biological Effects of Radiation and Radiation Dose 2b) Radiation Protection: Legislation and the Protection of Staff and the Public 2c) Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations: Protection of Patients Module 3: DXA and Dual Energy Absorptiometry X-ray Densitometry 3a) Physical Principles of Dual Energy Absorptiometry X-ray Densitometry 3b) DXA Scanner Technology 3c) Introduction to Practical DXA Techniques 3d) Errors and Artefacts in DXA
Fees The modules are free to access. There is a charge of 50 to complete the online assessment. Until March 2018, delegates who have registered for and paid for the National Training Scheme in Bone Densitometry will be given free access to the online assessment. From 1 March 2018, everyone will pay 50 to complete the assessment. The assessment is CPD accredited. Course evaluation The final module of the course is an evaluation and feedback module. All feedback given by the users of the course will be reviewed by the course administrator and where appropriate shared with the Bone Densitometry Training Advisory Panel. Feedback will be used to enhance the course. The Bone Densitometry Training Advisory Panel will review the content of the course in line with NOS Quality Assurance processes to ensure the content is kept up-to-date. Rules & Regulations There is open access to the course modules. Once candidates have completed each module, they will be able to enrol for the online assessment. There will be a charge of 50 for the assessment. For 2017 March 2018 only, delegates who have registered and paid to attend the two day National Training Scheme for Bone Densitometry lecture course will be given free entry to the online Bone Densitometry course. Candidates will be allowed three attempts to successfully complete the assessment. Failure on the third attempt will prohibit further attempts and the candidate will be required to take a period of time (minimum of one month) out in order to further revise their knowledge of the course content. Successful completion of the assessment with a pass mark of 80% or higher will enable the candidate to gain the corresponding certificate which will be generated online. Timeframe for Assessments A set time of 60 minutes will be allowed for completion of the assessment. All questions are multiple choice and each question has one right answer. Complaints and Appeals Procedure All complaints or appeals will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the Course Administrator and the Bone Densitometry Training Advisory Panel (BDTAP). Appeals must be submitted within 2 weeks of taking the assessment.
The National Osteoporosis Society reserves the right to refuse an applicant entry to the certification process at its absolute discretion and the decision of the BDTAP is final. All complaints or appeals will be dealt with within 1 calendar month of receipt by the Course Administrator. Course Administrator Ellen Devine Training Officer National Osteoporosis Society Email: e.devine@nos.org.uk Tel: 01761 473 278 Certification Process An online certificate will be awarded to users who successfully pass the online assessment. The certificate will detail the user s name, the course name and CPD code. Accreditation will be awarded by the National Osteoporosis Society, and Federation of the Royal College of Physicians. The Course has been approved by the British Institute of Radiologists. An application for approval of the course has been submitted to the Society and College of Radiographers and is currently pending approval. A certificate will be made available to those who have successfully passed. This course has been approved for 4 Distance-Learning CPD Credits by the Federation of the Royal College of Physicians (Code: 113581). The expiry date for CPD approval is every 2 years from the date of accreditation. Governance The Bone Densitometry Foundation Course (BDFC) e-learning has been developed by the Bone Densitometry Training and Advisory Panel (BDTAP). The BDTAP is a group of voluntary scientific experts that provides advice on current best practice, training and education in the field of bone densitometry. The Committee meets twice each year for this purpose, as well as providing valuable expertise and advice in a variety of ways in the interim. Members of the Committee have a strong interest in bone densitometry working as operators, scientists, physicists or physicians and are nominated by fellow experts/bdtap members to join the Committee. A CV is provided to the committee Chair who has final say on new members joining. Members of the BDTAP have formed the NTSBD Editorial Panel and are responsible for the development and review of the Bone Densitometry Foundation Course (BDFC) e-learning including filming, learning content and assessment questions. A full review of all learning content is completed every 3 years and includes: - a review of the course s learning content to ensure objectives are being met - developing new content/topics for the lecture course
- reviewing and editing the exam to align with course content - review all delegate information documents The BDTAP and NTSBD Editorial Panel will report directly to the Clinical and Scientific Committee (CSC) which reports directly to the Board of Trustees on all outcomes relating to the NTSBD and the BDFC. Disclaimer By using and accessing our training materials you expressly agree that you are doing so at your sole risk and discretion. The content in our training materials is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. In particular, this information is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified health professional. If you are not a health professional, then you should ALWAYS check with a health professional before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content of the training materials. If you are a health professional then this information (including any professional reference material) is intended to support, not replace, your own knowledge, experience and judgment. In no event shall the National Osteoporosis Society be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, whether based in contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise, arising out of or in any way connected with: your use of or inability to use our training materials. The course is managed by the Bone Densitometry Training Advisory Panel (BDTAP) of the National Osteoporosis Society. This is a group of voluntary clinical experts who have been significantly involved in the development of the course and will continue to support the course through ongoing evaluation and review.