Distance Assisted Training for

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

RAS 6029 / RAS2006003

The Next Phase:

SPECT/CT & PET/CT

Heather PattersonWestmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia

Brian HuttonUniversity College London, UK

Proposed Work plan:

• Approval of draft syllabus – appoint technical writers/authors

• First draft of new materials ready Oct/Nov 2007 - Advisory meeting for main technical writers Thailand November 2007

• Develop DAT website and web-based tools - registration, code access - online assignments, self-assessment, final examinations - interactive image manipulation - monitor progress - feedback, questions/answers - ongoing updates

• Train the Trainer course on utilization of web-based support system

• Assessment of student performance using web-based tools

Proposed Syllabus:

Introduction to CT principles 4

SPECT/CT 3

Cross-sectional anatomy (revised) 1

Introduction to basic science of PET 3

Clinical PET/CT 4

Units / subjects

15 Units delivered in 4 modules each module ~ 30 - 40 hrs study over 2 months = ~160 hrs of study

Proposed Syllabus:

Introduction to CT principles• Basic CT physics and operation parameters• CT safety and dosimetry• Clinical procedures and protocols: use of contrast• Specific issues in use of CT with SPECT and/or PET

SPECT/CT• Advanced SPECT physics (revision)• Choices of SPECT/CT system and specific QC• Clinical applications of SPECT/CT

Cross-sectional anatomy (revised)• use of web package

Proposed Syllabus:

Introduction to basic science of PET• Background on cyclotron and available PET tracers• Basic PET physics and operation parameters: QC procedures• Radiation safety for positron emitters

Clinical PET/CT• Understanding the basis for imaging with FDG: - normal patterns of uptake for FDG, - application of FDG in Oncology• Work-flow and protocols for PET/CT• Artifacts and issues in PET/CT; measurement of SUV• Use of tracers other than FDG in oncology - application in cardiology and neurology

Points for consideration:

• Small number of technologists practicing PET/CT in different countries

- different training backgrounds

initially how many will have completed DAT basic & advanced?

- suitable for other staff eg: registrars in training

Need to define pre-requisites

• Ensure understanding of necessity for equipment and practical issues

- all students need to complete practical exercises & assessment

Points for consideration:

• Website:still a necessity for paper based materials?

provide a database with images – who supports it?

encourage student discussion + interaction other students / tutors

country internal monitoring – improved communication?

eg: monitoring assignments, setting examinations, feedback

• CT component to include:a) diagnostic CT including use of contrast

b) CT for attenuation correction and localization

Pre-requisites:

Establish entry level for participants eg: - successfully completed DAT basic & advanced levels

- practicing in department with SPECT/CT & PET/CT or SPECT only and PET/CT ? or SPECT/CT and PET ?

Minimum requirements:Functioning NM dept, qualified NM physician…as per current guidelinesPET/CT or PET with access to SPECT/CT

Other options:- senior NM technologist with some PET experience- CT radiographer - sufficient NM knowledge?- revise / complete previous SPECT units – plus other subjects?

Web Platforms:

ANENTAsian Network for Education in Nuclear TechnologyIAEA affiliated website - KAERI

Web Platforms:

ANENTAsian Network for Education in Nuclear TechnologyIAEA affiliated website - KAERI

Web-CT (Blackboard)Utilized by many Distance Education institutions

MoodleModular Object-Orientated Dynamic Learning EnvironmentCourse management systemUtilized by Open University, UK

+ a growing number of DE institutions

Being replaced by

Recent meeting deciding on special regional requirements

moodle.org

Software package producing internet based courses & websites

Designed to support a ‘social constructionist’ framework of education

ie: creating a culture for shared knowledge.

• New developments and ideas shared with other moodle users

• Support system to help users solve problems (moodle.com)

- Updates on revisions, new versions

moodle.org

Focus on Student learning Teacher interaction Ease of monitoring

Student learning:• Text on-line, assignments answered on-line• Inter-active illustrative materials, case studies

eg: rotating MIP PET images (maximum intensity projection)

• Additional quizzes to reinforce learning – self assessment• Results, interaction and progress recorded

- prompts for student to continue to next stage• Active discussion groups that force student to communicate

moodle.org

Focus on Student learning Teacher interaction Ease of monitoring

Teacher / coordinator interaction:

• Discussions, questions / answers with local tutors

• Review assignment results & progress

- interactive or automatic reminders / emails

Ease of monitoring• Results, progress and student interaction displayed on one page - all student results and feedback displayed

• Regular reports to DAT – web administration and IAEA

Introduction to CT principles• Basic CT physics and operation parameters N. Keat• CT safety and dosimetry N. Keat• Clinical procedures and protocols: use of contrast R. Endozo• Specific issues in use of CT with SPECT and/or PET J. Dickson

/ B. Hutton

SPECT/CT• Advanced SPECT physics (revision) B. Hutton• Choices of SPECT/CT system and specific QC B. Hutton• Clinical applications of SPECT/CT J. Bomanji

Introduction to basic science of PET• Background on cyclotron and available PET tracers S.Eberl• Basic PET physics and operation parameters: QC procedures J.Dickson• Radiation safety for positron emitters J.Towson

Clinical PET/CT• Understanding the basis for imaging with FDG: P. Thomas - normal patterns of uptake for FDG, - application of FDG in Oncology• Work-flow and protocols for PET/CT C. Constable• Artifacts and issues in PET/CT; measurement of SUV W L Wong• Use of tracers other than FDG in oncology P.Thomas - application in cardiology and neurology