The symptoms of sports concussions, the importance of breast screening, and avoiding overexposing patients to radiation were some of the topics covered when Medical Imaging Technology (MIT) students recently showed off their research projects.
As part of their research course, third year Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) students had to complete a 3,000-word literature reviews on a chosen topic, and design posters explaining some of their findings. They then presented their posters in the Atrium to representatives from radiology clinics, MidCentral DHB, and other stakeholders who work with the UCOL | Te Pūkenga MIT department.
Some posters were designed as guides for the general public, covering topics such as sports-related concussions and breast screening. Other posters focused on safety requirements for medical radiation technologists, such as avoiding unintentional overexposure of patients to radiation (known as dose-creep).
Students Hannah Black, Julie Hydes, Linda Kendrick, and Lia Sutedjo (pictured above) investigated the effects of ethnicity on breast cancer and mammography screening in New Zealand. They found that Māori and women of Pacific nations are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer through breast screening, and more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage than other ethnic groups. This can result in poorer outcomes for these patients.
The group says that the findings from their research highlight the importance of women undergoing regular breast screenings, with the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme offering the service free to women aged 45 to 69 years.
“Breast screening is used for when there are no symptoms of breast cancer. It’s trying to detect it early” says Linda Kendrick.
The research presentations were all a part of the final weeks of classes for the third year MIT students, which also included a class dinner, awards, and exams. Notably, Julie Hydes (pictured below) received the 2018 Sarah Brown Memorial Award for the top student in Ultrasound.
The students are now preparing for their final clinical placements around the North Island prior to finishing their degrees.
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