ISCD CCD study plan
ISCD CCD · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Clinical Densitometry Knowledge and Skills
Define each term in the densitometry lexicon (T-score, Z-score, BMD, BMC, areal vs. volumetric density) in your own words
Explain how DXA generates a BMD value from attenuation measurements, step by step
List the components of a DXA system and state the function of each
Distinguish screening, diagnostic, and monitoring indications for bone density testing
Your checkpoint
A one-page glossary of 20 core densitometry terms with self-written definitions and a labeled diagram of DXA system components
Clinical Densitometry Knowledge and Skills
Describe proper patient positioning for spine, hip, and forearm scans and the errors each position prevents
Identify anatomy landmarks used for region-of-interest placement on spine and hip scans
Explain how to evaluate a scan for artifacts and when to repeat or exclude a region
Summarize quality-control procedures (phantom scanning, calibration, technologist review) and their frequency
Your checkpoint
A positioning-and-artifact checklist covering spine, hip, and forearm, with at least 10 artifact types and the corrective action for each
Clinical Densitometry Knowledge and Skills
Interpret T-score and Z-score values against WHO and ISCD diagnostic thresholds
Select the correct reference database and comparison site for a given patient scenario
Explain when and why the lowest T-score among valid sites should be used for diagnosis
Identify populations in which BMD criteria should not be applied (e.g., children, premenopausal women) and state the reasoning
Your checkpoint
Ten worked interpretation vignettes with your diagnosis, the site and database used, and a one-sentence justification each
Clinical Densitometry Knowledge and Skills & Skeletal Health Assessment Practice
Calculate least significant change from precision data and apply it to a monitoring decision
Design a precision assessment protocol including number of scans, sites, and operator requirements
Interpret serial BMD results as significant change or no significant change using LSC
Explain the roles and required qualifications of the interpreting physician and technologist
Your checkpoint
A precision assessment worksheet with a sample dataset, computed LSC, and three monitoring interpretations, plus a one-page summary of personnel qualifications
Milestones
Week 4: Score at least 80% on a self-written 40-question quiz covering Domain 1 acquisition, positioning, QC, and interpretation fundamentals, and correctly compute LSC from a sample precision dataset