The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Transcription

1 The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists The Collective e Voice for Medical Radiation Technologists Across Canada

2 2009 Society of Nuclear Medicine Annual Meeting June 13-17, Toronto, Ontario Issues Facing Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Canada Charles Shields, CEO Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

3 The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Established ,000 members in four disciplines: i Nuclear medicine Radiological technology Magnetic resonance imaging Radiation therapy

4 The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists CAMRT plays two roles: Certifying i body: develops entry-to-practice competencies develops and offers examinations Professional association CPD publications professional practice and CPD, publications, professional practice and advocacy

5 Nuclear Medicine Technologists Practice in Canada Function at a high level of independence SPECT (most) SPECT-CT (growing) PET (not in all provinces)

6 Nuclear Medicine Technologists Education in Canada 6 education programs All education programs are accredited 3 programs grant a BSc 3 programs grant diplomas

7 Nuclear Medicine Organizations in Canada The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists The Canadian Society of Nuclear Medicine The Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine i

8 Medical Isotope Shortages December/07 first major problem Canadian parliament directed the reactor to reopen Immediate problem was short-lived Health Canada commissioned a report from an expert panel Technologists were not included

9 Current Medical Isotope Shortage National Research Unit at Chalk River, Ontario has been down Much more serious shortage Shifting to other isotopes Ensuring generators are used completely Some use of other modalities

10 Getting Tc-99m to the Canadian Health Care System 4. Canadian Hospitals & Radiopharmacies 1. NRU Chalk River, ON 2. MDS-N Kanata,ON 3. Covidien Maryland Heights, MO 3. Lantheus Boston, Mass 2. Covidien Petten, NL 1.HFR-Petten & BR-2 Petten, NL & Mol, BL

11 Repercussions of the Shortage Increased strain among technologists Isotope costs have increased Concern for students getting sufficient clinical time Nuc med techs looking at working in other modalities CT and MR Long-term?? medical imaging practitioner

12 Hybrid Imaging A significant issue for several years Pressure for nuc med techs to perform diagnostic CT CAMRT had received questions for past t years Attention to this has increased since the recent medical isotope shortage

13 Hybrid Imaging and CAMRT s CT Imaging Certificate Program CAMRT has offered CT continuing i professional development courses Initially for radiological i l technologists t but nuc med technologists began to take. Determined the course was only to increase skills related to CT in relation to a nuc med procedure.

14 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Questions re necessary level of preparation Led to the creation of a project group tasked with identifying the knowledge and skill gaps Began work in May/2008 Reported June 2/2009 to CAMRT Board

15 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Composition of Work Group 2 each from NM, RadTher, RadTech Educator and clinical practitioner Focused on the knowledge, skills and judgment required in each modality Based on entry-to-practice competency profiles for each discipline

16 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Gaps Identified ed re: Cross Sectional Anatomy (all three planes) Req d for Diagnostic CT Head Neck Chest Abodomen Pelvis Spine Upper and lower extremities

17 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Gaps Identified ed re: Contrast Media Injection Required for Diagnostic CT Contrast Media Agents/Administration Patient Education Contrast Media Characteristics Patient Assessment Adverse Reactions Automatic Injector

18 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Gaps identified re: Protocols required for Diagnostic CT Evaluate the quality of the image and take appropriate action Evaluate images for the purpose of interpretation Obtain additional images as required Display and critique images as related to diagnostic CT

19 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Gaps identified ed re: Protocols oco required ed for Diagnostic CT, cont d Basic X-Ray Production Data Acquisition Scan Process CT Design System Operation and Components Applied CT Terminology

20 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Gap Identified re: CT Radiation Protection required for Diagnostic CT Technical factors affecting gpatient dose Gaps Identified re: Pathology required for Diagnostic CT Pathology Recognition Pathology Evaluation

21 CT Operators Gap Analysis Project Next Steps Distribute the report Conduct market research Create programs to help technologists fill the gaps CAMRT? Other organizations?

22 SUMMARY Isotope shortage will continue Isotopes likely to become more expensive Nuclear medicine discipline likely to change significantly Nuclear medicine technologists will likely move to CT and MR Long-term: Medical Imaging Practitioner?

23 Thanks for your attention! For further information about activities iti of CAMRT, please visit it our website at