Key Takeaways from Assessment Task Discussion and Medical Terminology in Clinical Practice

Opened up the discussion for questions regarding the procedural check assessment task.
Reminded students about the importance of understanding medical abbreviations and acronyms.
- If unable to find terminologies in lecture notes:
- Recommended resources: "Mastery Medical Terminology" (library text).
- Google search considered as a viable method, but stress using reputable, evidence-based sources for correct information.
- Encourage cross-verifying multiple sources.
Plans to upload a PDF with acronyms used in healthcare from either New South Wales Health or Queensland Health for students' reference.

Clarification that in presentations:
- No need to verbalize references while speaking.
- References must be included in the final submission document.
- Suggested format: References on a separate slide following the presentation content.
Emphasized using credible sources for references, such as journal articles or government publications.

Discussed the significance of knowing medical terminology.
Introduced example cases to demonstrate terminology in context:
- Example Case: 55-year-old female diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (breast cancer).
- Importance of biological context when interpreting abbreviations (e.g., DX for diagnosis, BX for biopsy).
- Defined tumor characteristics based on staging (e.g., T2N1) and relevance of diagnostic imaging such as PET scans.

Practical application of medical terminology in clinical cases.
Explained different sample clinical histories to cultivate understanding:
- Case One: 30-year-old male involved in a motor vehicle accident, focus on GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) and neck pain assessment.
- Case Two: 72-year-old female with type 2 diabetes experiencing right-sided weakness and dysarthria, potential stroke case.
- Importance of assessing blood glucose and blood pressure (BP) to ascertain strokes or brain hemorrhage.
Discussed other common medical terminologies used in imaging referrals such as "renal calculi" and "kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB)" scans.

Described professionalism as a blend of technical (hard) and interpersonal (soft) skills required in healthcare.
- Hard skills: Clinical competencies, adherence to regulations, technical knowledge.
- Soft skills: Empathy, communication, ethical considerations.
Stress on working within one’s scope of practice and adhering to the Australian Healthcare Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) guidelines.
The importance of self-reflection and continuous professional development.

Importance of effective communication within an interdisciplinary team.
- Different healthcare roles and how effective communication enhances patient care.
- Building rapport with patients and colleagues.
Factors affecting patient communication:
- Pain, discomfort, language barriers, and mental state (e.g., intoxication).

Emphasized the impact of continuous learning in medical fields and the growth in understanding medical terminology over time.
Suggested creating mind maps to explore what professionalism means as individuals grow within their medical radiation careers.