"In The Comfort Zone": The Radiology Resident as Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Radiation Safety Officer

Author Type(s)

Faculty, Resident/Fellow

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

6-2022

Journal Title

Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Department

Radiology

Abstract

Introduction: The training of radiology residents in nuclear medicine involves demonstrating a strong knowledge and understanding of appropriateness criteria, knowledge of performance of the correct procedure, and interpretation and reporting of clinical examinations. Many residents are not familiar with the duties of the nuclear medicine technologist including time from receipt of the radiopharmaceutical, quality control, and the actual performance of the study. In addition, residents may not be familiar with the practical concepts of radiation safety and discussion with patients about these issues. When it comes time to evaluation, many are not familiar with the details of many of these procedures. Many of these concepts are part of the general competencies during radiology residency training from the ACGME.

We discuss the concepts of having radiology residents work with nuclear medicine technologists and the radiation safety officer in addition to study interpretation to further enhance their understanding of the daily activities in nuclear medicine.

Methods: Radiology residents who rotate through nuclear medicine are generally involved in the protocoling, appropriateness, and interpretation of studies. They must learn about the various radiopharmaceuticals and understand their physiology and how they appear under normal and in the presence of pathology. They learn the importance of Time Out protocols to prevent radiation incidents and the importance of patient interviewing. It is important that radiology residents work closely with the nuclear medicine technologist to gain an understanding of the various daily procedures and understand the possible errors that can occur including quality control, administration of radiopharmaceuticals, hot lab equipment and patient positioning. We also discuss the resident role as radiation safety officer to understand compliance with rules and regulations, monitor use and disposal of radioactive material and ability to answer questions of patients when they arise.

Results: The nuclear medicine rotation during radiology residency is extremely important as it provides the opportunity to learn the many details of nuclear medicine studies and interpretation. Many of these concepts are part of the general competencies during radiology residency training from the ACGME. Radiation residents gain a significant increase in the learning and practice of nuclear medicine when they understand what is required and performed prior to their receipt of images and interpretation. Spending time with the nuclear medicine technician during performance of their daily activities is important in the overall training of radiology residents. In addition, spending time with the radiation safety officer further enchances an understanding of radiation safety in daily practice.

Conclusions: We discuss the role of the radiology resident as they rotate in the department of nuclear medicine. There are many opportunities offered to the radiology resident in addition by spending time with the nuclear medicine technologist and radiation safety officer. Many of these skills are important and part of the general competencies required by the ACGME. We demonstrate the process of incorporating thses many skills under direct supervision into the nuclear medicine rotation.

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