Nuclear Medicine Distance Assisted Training
Programme for Radiographers
(DAT) Course Overview
and Syllabus
Outline /History



Prepared by IAEA under the project
‘Strengthening of Nuclear Medicine in
RCA Countries’
Started in early 1994
The course was tested with an initial
set of students in Malaysia,
Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India in
1995-96
Outline /History


In 1999 further funding from the Australian
government permitted the development of
more subjects and implementation of the
programme in 9 countries in the RCA region
(300 students).
In 2003 the IAEA undertook a major review
of the materials and suggested addition of
further subjects. This was completed in late
2004.
Outline /History



The material has been designed to
assist individuals to develop basic
practical skills
Enable them to perform good quality
Nuclear Medicine studies.
Provide a focus on factors which are
important in clinical practice
Outline /History


Intention is, the training material to be
used specifically for Nuclear Medicine
Technologists as part of a national training
program.
Trainees that complete the training
program should be competent as
practising technologists and able to
contribute to the improvement of
efficiency and quality of clinical nuclear
medicine services.
Objectives











Training Objectives
The overall objectives of the programme are
• to improve the technical knowledge and skills of practising
Nuclear Medicine Technologists with emphasis on the
requirements in a clinical service
• to establish a training system that is fully self-sufficient for
implementation in multiple countries
The
• to
• to
• to
• to
• to
• to
aims of this programme include:
provide cost effective training in countries where none exists
provide assistance to present training courses
form a basis for indigenous training
promote quality improvement
encourage in-country distance training
form a basis for a regional basic standard
Objectives








Learning Objectives:
This course of instruction is intended to produce graduates
with the following attributes:
A sound scientific understanding of nuclear medicine
imaging.
An appreciation of the properties of ionizing radiation, its
hazards and appropriate protective measures that will
enable its safe use and application in a clinical setting.
The ability to produce nuclear medicine images of
maximum diagnostic quality, consistent with minimizing
radiation dose to the patient.
An understanding of the technologist's role within the
professional working environment and with capability to
meet the requirements and responsibilities of the
profession.
Humanitarian attitudes and patient handling skills, as well
as an appreciation of responsibilities towards the patient.
A problem solving approach when performing nuclear
medicine duties.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
PARTICIPATION
Programme management
 The programme must be managed under
the direction of either the National Atomic
Energy Authority, the National Society of
Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Education,
Ministry of Health, School of Radiography
or relevant regulatory authority (or any
number of necessary authorities), referred
to as the National Responsible
Authority (NRA).
National Responsible Authority
(NRA)

must take responsibility for the following:
• Guarantee that guidelines for participation will be strictly
followed
• Ensure that standards for assessment are maintained
• Issue certificates that provide an accurate record of
student performance
• Maintain records of student performance
• Report regularly on progress

should appoint a National DAT Programme
Coordinator to oversee the implementation of
the project
National Responsible Authority
(NRA)


The formation of a National Steering
Committee to oversee the programme
with representation from relevant interest
groups and stake holders.
A support group should also be identified;
this should consist of individuals who
agree to assist with student tuition and
workshops, provide assistance with
student support and should include at
least one nuclear medicine physicist and
one nuclear medicine clinical specialist to
act as local experts.
Basic requirements in departments
where trainees are located
The student should be located in an operational
nuclear medicine unit with the following minimal
equipment and infrastructure:
 Resources
1. Gamma Camera and associated computer, dose
calibrator, survey meter
2. Designated Hot-Lab area
3. Regular supply of radiopharmaceuticals
4. Access to probe or well counter for completion of some
modules
5. Access to a SPECT camera for completion of some
advanced modules

For items 4 and 5 rotation of students to sites for
experience on equipment not available on-site is
acceptable.
Requirements for student
supervision



The supervisor of students should preferably be a
person working in the same nuclear medicine
department and should be a physician, physicist,
radiopharmacist or senior technologist.
Participation of the student in the training
program and involvement of the department
must be approved by the responsible medical
specialist (including guarantee that the student
will have the necessary access to equipment, as
required).
The supervisor should
• have a commitment to the project
• be available for consultation with the student when
needed
• assist student with study time and access to equipment
• maintain links with country DAT course coordinator to
access national resources if required.
Requirements for student
supervision



Although supervision by a person with experience
in teaching is desirable, such a person may not
always be available on site.
The role of the supervisor is to facilitate the
student’s progress rather than necessarily to
provide individual advice on all aspects of the
training content.
In cases where a qualified radiographer is
undertaking the DAT provision should be made
for attachment to a nuclear medicine department
to gain practical experience and undertake
exercises as required by the training course.
ACCESSING THE PROGRAMME
Implementing the DAT programme at a national
level requires the approval of the IAEA.
In order to apply for approval, a formal application
must be submitted from the relevant authority
which will take responsibility for the programme
This application should normally be submitted
through either the National Representative or
National Atomic Energy Authority to the RCA
office of the IAEA in Vienna.
Approval will be given only to authorities who can
demonstrate that they are able to implement the
programme and guarantee that the programme
management guidelines will be adhered to.
When approval is given, a complete set of materials
for implementing the programme will be supplied
to the relevant authority by the RCA office.
TRAINING PROGRAMME
Guidelines
 The supplied materials on CD includes copies of
this document (Guidelines, course overview and
syllabus).
 ‘Instruction for Students’ should be distributed at
course commencement. These are intended to
provide a useful overview of the programme
including advice as to how the training
programme should be conducted.
 Detailed ‘Guidelines for Student Assessment’ are
included (for use by the National Responsible
Authority and their nominated assessors only).
Modules





The order of subject delivery, as defined in the
syllabus, has been carefully arranged so that the
information will flow in a logical learning pattern.
The course commences with introduction to basic
sciences progressing to clinical subjects, static
imaging, dynamic and gated studies through to
SPECT imaging.
There are a total of twenty-three subjects
although several topics have multiple sections.
The content of the course is organized in 12
modules in order to assist the structured
coverage of the course
Each module has a number of subject sections
included and is intended to be completed in
approximately 50 hours on average.
Workbook



There is a workbook section for each
subject to which the student will be
directed continually throughout the study
of the material to answer questions,
design protocols etc.
A completed workbook is not only a record
of results but also a manual of relevant
data which can be used as a reference at
any time.
In the case where the student undertakes
a formal training course using all the
course material then their completed
workbook will be an important component
of their final assessment.
Assignments




There are a set of assignments that can
be used for continual assessment of
student progress.
These should be distributed to students by
supervisors.
A set of assignment answers are also
supplied.
These files are stored in a separate folder.
Note that most assignments are designed
as multiple-choice questions similar to
those used in the final examination.


Workshop toolkits
In addition to the training materials that
are intended for individual student use, a
set of presentations, practical exercises
and demonstrations are also available on
CD, which can aid the organization of
workshops.
One set intended to cover most of the
basic syllabus and a second to cover
SPECT and some of the advanced topics.
These may aid coordinators in organizing
similar workshops locally.
Course Syllabus




Page 11 & Appendix 14 – 33
There are 12 modules (23 units / subjects)
with a total of ~ 600 hours of study which
include more than 150 exercises.
As most students are working full time, 5 - 6
hours of study per week has been considered
reasonable over a 2 year period. Where English is
a second language or a lack of resources hinders
practical exercises, study time may take longer.
However this can be accelerated with more study
time per week.
It is recommended that the student studies the
subjects following the ‘sequence of learning’ as
indicated by the unit and module number.
Model Certificate

Page 10
Thank you