1. Heather Patterson - Australia -
RCA PANEL DISCUSSION
HUMAN HEALTH
18th September 2012
Vienna
Heather Patterson
- Australia -

2. The goal of the IAEA programme in Human Health
to enhance the capabilities in Member States to address needs
related to the
prevention
diagnosis
treatment
of diseases through the application of nuclear techniques.

3. Introduction Most RCA Member States projects emphasis on:
Early diagnosis and treatment
infectious and non-communicable diseases
- cardio-vascular disorders or cancer
Nonhereditary and hereditary diseases
Identification of nutritional deficiencies

4. RCA input: Collaborative Activities of Health Care Projects
# participants
Regional Training Courses ,177
Regional Technical Workshops
/ Technical Meetings
Regional project Planning Meetings
Expert Missions to Member States

5. Main Categories: Activities: Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging
Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy
Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics
Nutritional and Health-Related Environmental Studies
Activities:
Coordinated Research Projects
Publications
Guidelines
Education and Training programs

6. Nuclear Medicine Cancer Joint & Bone disorders
Medical Physics Radioimmunoassay
Tissue Grafts
The introduction of a program of clinical training to supplement academic qualifications has the dual purpose of providing skilled professionals for the developing country as well as providing standards that can be used to raise the recognition on medical physicists.

7. Radioimmunoassay: 4 projects 1986 - 97
Data processing: Train the Trainer
Thyroid Hormones
Hepatitis B diagnosis
>600 scientists trained in bulk reagent methodology
Clinical Applications:
The teaching resources will be used for development of further education and training programs.
The medical physicists trained will provide improved in-house capabilities to enhance services and allow future development.

8. Tissue Banking: project 1988 – 2002
Tissue banking operators trained through distance learning
First curriculum of its kind
Developed through RCA
- then inter-regional ARCAL, AFRA and Europe
2003 Diploma course through National University Singapore
- University of Buenos Aires (Spanish)
Regional Meeting of National Trainers - PHI, January: 2 day meeting of National Project Coordinators to Review the Status of Medical Physics in the Region. Manila. The National Project Coordinators presented updates on their work in the project. There was an enthusiastic response from the MSs.
Expert Steering Group Meeting - CPR, 6-10 September: Beijing - reviewed the existing clinical training guide for radiotherapy physics in light of the experience of the pilot. Currently the clinical training guide is undergoing modification following the recommendations of that meeting. One result was the identification of common material shared by all three specialisation guides. This identification will allow residents to take a second specialisation if needed and is expected to help physicists in small departments with wide clinical responsibilities.
Regional Meeting of National Trainers - BGD, Oct : 2 day meeting of National Project Coordinators in Dhaka to brief counterparts on the clinical training program for medical physicists specialising in nuclear medicine. The National Project Coordinators presented updates on their work in the project.

9. Joint and Bone disorders: 3 projects 2003 – 2008
Nutritional and Health-Related Environmental Studies
Joint and Bone disorders: 3 projects – 2008
Diagnosis of osteoporosis
Prevention
Treatment e.g. Radiosynovectomy for arthritis

10. Cancer related projects: 1984 /88 – ongoing
Radiation Oncology Treatment
Nuclear Medicine Diagnosis & Treatment
Medical Physics Quality Assurance

11. Applied Science of Oncology (ASO) 1999 - ongoing
To increase number of Radiation Oncologists – particularly in remote areas
Level  Part 1 (theory) of a professional college
Training materials supplied on CD Rom specialist modules
animations, interactive , self assessment
2013 available on-line download and install
- adaptable for specific training programs
Supplements clinical training
MS in AFRA and ARCAL participated in a Pilot 2004
The aquaria picture of radioecology experiments (uptake & retention of radionuclides) on corals at the Phuket Marine Biology Centre – see the little coral ‘nubbins’ in the racks.
Of course, use the ASPAMARD image – I use it many presentations & many people are impressed. The hotspot is a legacy of pre-1972 ocean dumping & the figure is a compilation of ‘all data’ from It would be wonderful to be able to produce a more recent snapshot (every 10 years would be fantastic).

12. Medical Physics: Guidelines for clinical training
- 3 publications
Sub-specialities: Radiation Oncology
Diagnostic Radiology
Nuclear Medicine
Medical radiation physics essential for
Quality Assurance
Dosimetry
Safe Clinical Applications of Ionizing Radiation
Review current practices and legislation in radiation medicine (radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine) in light of the newly published IAEA BSS.
BSS = Basic Safety Standards

13. Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning Medical Physics Nuclear Medicine
Radiology

14. Distance Assisted Training (DAT) for Nuclear Medicine Professionals
1994 – ongoing
Initially developed for NM Technologists in RCA
Recent additions more suitable for all in the profession
2009 introduced delivery on-line
Curriculum: Basic Science to SPECT and PET/CT
>900 hours of work-integrated study (16 modules)
>800 participants RCA, ARCAL, AFRA and Europe
Translated to Spanish, partially Chinese, Korean & French (Turkish in progress)
Sustainable training established in many countries

15. DAT Implementation
Introduction of
DAT on-line

16. Key elements of successful training projects:
Adaptability - integration with other programs
Cost effective - benefits professionals, patients and medical service
Sustainability - continuing programs (commitment)
- maintaining reviews and updates
e.g. meet needs of evolving technology
Local Team Management and Support - essential
Recognition of achievements
- rewards, career enhancement, motivation

17. Summary: 24 RCA projects in Health Sector since 1984
Distance Learning programs show continuing growth
- Tissue Banking
- Applied Science of Oncology
- Distance Assisted Training in Nuclear Medicine
Projects vs Programs
- Projects have an end (4 – 5yrs)
- Programs ongoing to meet evolving needs and train more people
Need for Government and Education Institutional support
- successful programs have already shown sustainability
- consider integration to current indigenous programs - ‘fill any gaps’
- need for professional recognition as incentives and motivation