Nuclear Medicine - Distance Assisted Training Programme for Radiographers (DAT) Course Overview and Syllabus

Outline /History Prepared by IAEA under the project Prepared by IAEA under the project ‘Strengthening of Nuclear Medicine in RCA Countries’ Started in early 1994 The course was tested with an initial set of students in Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India in

Outline /History In 1999 further funding from the Australian government permitted the development of more subjects and implementation of the programme in 9 countries in the RCA region (300 students). In 2003 the IAEA undertook a major review of the materials and suggested addition of further subjects. This was completed in late 2004.

Outline /History The material has been designed to assist individuals to develop basic practical skills Enable them to perform good quality Nuclear Medicine studies. Provide a focus on factors which are important in clinical practice

Outline /History Intention is, the training material to be used specifically for Nuclear Medicine Technologists as part of a national training program. Trainees that complete the training program should be competent as practising technologists and able to contribute to the improvement of efficiency and quality of clinical nuclear medicine services.

Objectives Training Objectives The overall objectives of the programme are to improve the technical knowledge and skills of practising Nuclear Medicine Technologists with emphasis on the requirements in a clinical service to establish a training system that is fully self-sufficient for implementation in multiple countries The aims of this programme include: to provide cost effective training in countries where none exists to provide assistance to present training courses to form a basis for indigenous training to promote quality improvement to encourage in-country distance training to form a basis for a regional basic standard

Objectives Learning Objectives: This course of instruction is intended to produce graduates with the following attributes: A sound scientific understanding of nuclear medicine imaging. An appreciation of the properties of ionizing radiation, its hazards and appropriate protective measures that will enable its safe use and application in a clinical setting. The ability to produce nuclear medicine images of maximum diagnostic quality, consistent with minimizing radiation dose to the patient. An understanding of the technologist's role within the professional working environment and with capability to meet the requirements and responsibilities of the profession. Humanitarian attitudes and patient handling skills, as well as an appreciation of responsibilities towards the patient. A problem solving approach when performing nuclear medicine duties.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION Programme management The programme must be managed under the direction of either the National Atomic Energy Authority, the National Society of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, School of Radiography or relevant regulatory authority (or any number of necessary authorities), referred to as the National Responsible Authority (NRA).

National Responsible Authority (NRA) must take responsibility for the following: Guarantee that guidelines for participation will be strictly followed Ensure that standards for assessment are maintained Issue certificates that provide an accurate record of student performance Maintain records of student performance Report regularly on progress should appoint a National DAT Programme Coordinator to oversee the implementation of the project

National Responsible Authority (NRA) The formation of a National Steering Committee to oversee the programme with representation from relevant interest groups and stake holders. A support group should also be identified; this should consist of individuals who agree to assist with student tuition and workshops, provide assistance with student support and should include at least one nuclear medicine physicist and one nuclear medicine clinical specialist to act as local experts.

Basic requirements in departments where trainees are located The student should be located in an operational nuclear medicine unit with the following minimal equipment and infrastructure: Resources 1. Gamma Camera and associated computer, dose calibrator, survey meter 2. Designated Hot-Lab area 3. Regular supply of radiopharmaceuticals 4. Access to probe or well counter for completion of some modules 5. Access to a SPECT camera for completion of some advanced modules For items 4 and 5 rotation of students to sites for experience on equipment not available on-site is acceptable.

Requirements for student supervision The supervisor of students should preferably be a person working in the same nuclear medicine department and should be a physician, physicist, radiopharmacist or senior technologist. Participation of the student in the training program and involvement of the department must be approved by the responsible medical specialist (including guarantee that the student will have the necessary access to equipment, as required). The supervisor should have a commitment to the project be available for consultation with the student when needed assist student with study time and access to equipment maintain links with country DAT course coordinator to access national resources if required.

Requirements for student supervision Although supervision by a person with experience in teaching is desirable, such a person may not always be available on site. The role of the supervisor is to facilitate the student’s progress rather than necessarily to provide individual advice on all aspects of the training content. In cases where a qualified radiographer is undertaking the DAT provision should be made for attachment to a nuclear medicine department to gain practical experience and undertake exercises as required by the training course.

ACCESSING THE PROGRAMME Implementing the DAT programme at a national level requires the approval of the IAEA. In order to apply for approval, a formal application must be submitted from the relevant authority which will take responsibility for the programme This application should normally be submitted through either the National Representative or National Atomic Energy Authority to the RCA office of the IAEA in Vienna. Approval will be given only to authorities who can demonstrate that they are able to implement the programme and guarantee that the programme management guidelines will be adhered to. When approval is given, a complete set of materials for implementing the programme will be supplied to the relevant authority by the RCA office.

TRAINING PROGRAMME Guidelines The supplied materials on CD includes copies of this document (Guidelines, course overview and syllabus). ‘Instruction for Students’ should be distributed at course commencement. These are intended to provide a useful overview of the programme including advice as to how the training programme should be conducted. Detailed ‘Guidelines for Student Assessment’ are included (for use by the National Responsible Authority and their nominated assessors only).

Modules The order of subject delivery, as defined in the syllabus, has been carefully arranged so that the information will flow in a logical learning pattern. The course commences with introduction to basic sciences progressing to clinical subjects, static imaging, dynamic and gated studies through to SPECT imaging. There are a total of twenty-three subjects although several topics have multiple sections. The content of the course is organized in 12 modules in order to assist the structured coverage of the course Each module has a number of subject sections included and is intended to be completed in approximately 50 hours on average.

Workbook There is a workbook section for each subject to which the student will be directed continually throughout the study of the material to answer questions, design protocols etc. A completed workbook is not only a record of results but also a manual of relevant data which can be used as a reference at any time. In the case where the student undertakes a formal training course using all the course material then their completed workbook will be an important component of their final assessment.

Assignments There are a set of assignments that can be used for continual assessment of student progress. These should be distributed to students by supervisors. A set of assignment answers are also supplied. These files are stored in a separate folder. Note that most assignments are designed as multiple-choice questions similar to those used in the final examination.

Workshop toolkits In addition to the training materials that are intended for individual student use, a set of presentations, practical exercises and demonstrations are also available on CD, which can aid the organization of workshops. One set intended to cover most of the basic syllabus and a second to cover SPECT and some of the advanced topics. These may aid coordinators in organizing similar workshops locally.

Course Syllabus Page 11 & Appendix 14 – 33 Page 11 & Appendix 14 – 33 There are 12 modules (23 units / subjects) with a total of ~ 600 hours of study which include more than 150 exercises. As most students are working full time, hours of study per week has been considered reasonable over a 2 year period. Where English is a second language or a lack of resources hinders practical exercises, study time may take longer. However this can be accelerated with more study time per week. It is recommended that the student studies the subjects following the ‘sequence of learning’ as indicated by the unit and module number.

Model Certificate Page 10 Page 10

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