The document discusses the author's experience with an MRI practical. They found watching lectures and applying the concepts hands-on in a role-playing activity helped them better understand magnetic fields over radiation. The practical highlighted factors that can affect MRI eligibility, such as certain tattoo inks containing metal. The author enjoyed identifying abnormalities on exposed cadavers by comparing MRI images to physical anatomy. They learned MRI and CT scans each have strengths for spatial and contrast resolution that make them useful for different diagnostic purposes.

1. Reflection
Before the MRI practical I was daunted by the physics behind it and struggled to grasp the concept of magnetic
fields over radiation that it used in radiographs and CT scan. But watching the lectures and applying the
content in a practical context really helped me.
I really enjoyed the practical particularly the role play section where in groups we were given the chance to
think for ourselves and through acting we had to judge whether certain patients were eligible for an MRI scan or
not.
Despite being very amusing and lots of laughing it was very educational and made me consider things I had no
idea would affect a patient's eligibility for example, we misjudge one patient who had a tattoo. Our practical
leader went on to insight us that cheaper tattoos are often done with ink that contains metal, therefore putting
the patient more at risk of injury during an MRI.
Despite there not being an MRI machine in the practical where we could have witnessed a live scan, after the CT
practical, the actual scanning part was the most boring as although we are aware a scan is happening, there is
not much to see. However, the results and images produced from the scan was the most exciting part. Thus in
the MRI practical there were open, exposed cadavers out with their respective pre-scanned MRI images next to
them. This allowed us to look through their scans to try and identify any abnormalities such as tumours etc and
then we could physically find the tumours in the cadaver's body, in the flesh. I really enjoyed this aspect as I
am very much a practical learner and learn best when I can apply knowledge to real life and be hands on.
Through researching whether an MRI or CT scan is 'better' they are both great in different ways. CT scans are
better at spatial resolution meaning they are better at showing the edges and defining the boarders of
structures, whereas MRIs are better at contrast resolution, showing differences between various body parts,
particularly showing cancerous tissue from normal body tissue. Another benefit of using MRIs are that they are
pregnancy safe as they do not emit radiation like radiography and CT scans do (DeMarco, 2023).