fusion imaging: presenting new educational challenges bettye g. wilson, m.a. ed., rt(r)(ct), rdms...
TRANSCRIPT
Fusion Imaging: Presenting New Educational Challenges
Bettye G. Wilson, M.A. Ed., RT(R)(CT), RDMS
Birmingham, Alabama
For copies of this presentation go to:
http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=37659
For other correspondence:
Fusion Imaging from the Technologists’ Perspective
Just what is fusion imaging ? What type of technologists are currently
involved in the performance of fusion imaging procedures ?
What are the educational needs of technologists performing fusion imaging procedures ?
Fusion: “The union of different things by, or as if by, melting……”
Imaging: “Making a representation or imitation of an object.
Remember; Fusion Imaging, combines more than the imaging modalities. It also combines the technical expertise of the differing technologies, therefore it also creates combination (Hybrid) technologists.
Research Equals Knowledge
Where is PET/CT being performed Who’s performing PET/CT What education/skills are required
Some PET/CT Procedures are being performed in Nuclear Medicine Departments by Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Other facilities have created stand-alone PET/CT Departments
staffed by CT and Nuclear Medicine Technologists, only
Nuclear Medicine Technologists, or only CT Technologists
In some cases, nurses are also employed, to administer I.V.
Contrast Media, and/or Radiopharmaceuticals
Confusion Abounds
1.Professional organizations have formed task forces or committees to examine this issue
2.Educators in the Radiologic Sciences have been made increasingly aware of the need to incorporate diverse information into their curricula
3.Imaging Technologists are again facing the educational demands of uncharted territory
Gaining Consensus
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section (SNMTS)
PET/CT Consensus Conference Statements
Statement No. 1
Personnel Qualified to Operate PET/CT
Equipment
Statement No. 2
Regulation of Personnel Who Operate PET/CT Equipment
Consensus Statement Number 1
“Any registered radiographer with the credentials R.T. ( R ), registered radiation therapist with the credentials R.T. ( T ), or a registered nuclear medicine technologist with the credentials R.T. ( N ) or CNMT may operate PET-CT equipment after obtaining appropriate additional education or training and demonstrated competency.”
The Ideal Pet-CT Technologist ?
Joanne Doe, R.T. ( R ) ( N ) ( T ) ( CT )
Or
Joanne Doe, R.T. ( R ) ( T ) ( CT ), CNMT
What are the Commonalities ?
All are Radiologic Sciences Professionals All have completed educational programs
specific to their disciplines All are Certified and Registered
Technologists
What are the real Differences ?
Do not necessarily have the same basic knowledge
Come from diverse educational backgrounds
Practice generally specific to discipline May not be as cognizant of other imaging
modalities as required May believe profession other than own,
“piece of cake”
Educational Needs of PET/CT Technologists
Patient Care, Education, and Management
Radiation Physics Radiation Biology and
Protection Cross-Sectional
Anatomy CT Knowledge
Nuclear Medicine Knowledge (PET)
Radiopharmaceuticals Contrast Media PET/CT Equipment
Operation, Maintenance, and Instrumentation
Short Term = Applications Training for technologists performing
PET/CT and continuing education courses designed to educate practitioners
Long Term = Fusion of discipline specific courses to provide an
essential “core” of courses for allstudents
Still Con-FUSED ????While the educational challenges created by fusion
imaging technology are rather daunting, collaborative efforts between educators and
professional organizations, with input from the diverse constituency, will lead to solutions
For copies of this presentation go to:
http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=37659
For other correspondence: