Transcript Fusion Imaging - University of Alabama at Birmingham

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:
[email protected]
Con-Fusion Imaging
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.
Fusion Imaging: Melting
together images from different
modalities to create a new
(hybrid) image.
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.
It is possible to fuse images
from almost any imaging
modality
Currently, the most discussed
fusion imaging technique is
PET/CT
Positron Emission Tomography
Image of the Chest
Computed Tomography Image of
the Chest
Fused Image (PET/CT) of the
Chest
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
Some PET/CT Procedures are
being performed in CT
Departments by CT
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,
 Nuclear Medicine
Education, and
Management
 Radiation Physics
 Radiation Biology and
Protection
 Cross-Sectional
Anatomy
 CT Knowledge
Knowledge (PET)
 Radiopharmaceuticals
 Contrast Media
 PET/CT Equipment
Operation,
Maintenance, and
Instrumentation
So what is the answer to the
educational challenges
presented by fusion imaging
technology ??????
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 all
students
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:
[email protected]