Education and training for advanced practice: Principles of course design and assessment applied to a ‘stereotactic needle core biopsy of the breast’ module

In order to realise the promise of the NHS Plan, radiographers are extending their practice to encompass tasks previously undertaken by radiologists and advancing their practice by taking responsibility for clinical decision-making and autonomous membership of multidisciplinary healthcare teams.In partnership with clinical service providers Higher Education Institutes are devising programmes of study to support such professional development.This article reviews the design of a 20 credit post-graduate (M level) module in stereotactic needle core biopsy of the breast. Particular consideration is given to underpinning educational principles of course design and assessment and how these are applied in order that teaching, learning and assessment have academic rigour and clinical competence of successful students is assured.