Training activity information
Details
Develop and evaluate CT imaging protocols appropriate to the clinical requirements within hybrid imaging
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Image quality requirements for hybrid techniques and the impact of CT parameters
- Impact of CT parameters on nuclear medicine image quality
- CT dose modulation software
- The effect of hybrid technique parameters on patient dose
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- How does developing and evaluating CT imaging protocols contribute to your ability to select and advise on technical parameters for clinical CT data as part of hybrid imaging investigations and discuss image quality and patient dose optimisation in CT? What specific clinical requirements will you be focusing on when developing these CT protocols?
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain regarding the trade-offs between image quality (e.g., spatial resolution, noise), radiation dose, and scan time for different clinical applications in hybrid imaging (e.g., SPECT-CT, PET-CT). Think about your current knowledge of CT acquisition parameters (CT acquisition parameters, reconstruction algorithms, CT image quality and dose modulation). What aspects are you aiming to explore further?
- Discuss the clinical requirements for different hybrid imaging procedures with relevant clinicians and your training officer. Understand the key diagnostic information needed. Investigate the available CT protocols on your department’s scanners and review relevant literature or best practice guidelines for CT protocol optimisation. Consider how you will evaluate the developed protocols in terms of image quality and radiation dose. What metrics will you use?
In action
- Pay attention to your actions.
- How are you approaching the development of these CT imaging protocols for hybrid imaging?
- What clinical requirements are you specifically considering?
- What decisions are you making regarding scan parameters such as kVp, mAs, pitch, collimation, and contrast administration?
- What aspects of CT protocol optimisation feel familiar, and what aspects related to the context of hybrid imaging (e.g., co-registration with nuclear medicine data) require more deliberate thought?
- How effectively are the protocols you are developing meeting the defined clinical requirements while considering factors like image quality and patient dose?
- What challenges are you facing in balancing the requirements of the CT component with the overall goals of the hybrid imaging procedure?
- What are you learning about how CT acquisition parameters can impact the interpretation and co-registration of hybrid datasets?
- How does this protocol development process relate to your understanding of CT physics, radiation safety, and clinical imaging protocols?
- Are there existing CT protocols within the department that you are using as a starting point or benchmark?
- What feedback or guidance are you seeking from radiologists or other clinical colleagues regarding the suitability of the developed protocols?
- Are you ensuring that the developed protocols adhere to relevant national and local guidelines and regulations?
On action
- What clinical requirements did you consider when developing your CT imaging protocols for hybrid imaging?
- What specific CT imaging parameters did you adjust to meet these requirements?
- How did you evaluate the appropriateness and quality of the CT images produced by your developed protocols?
- What challenges did you encounter during the development and evaluation process?
- What key considerations are important when tailoring CT imaging protocols to specific clinical needs in a hybrid imaging context?
- How do different CT parameters influence image quality and patient dose in hybrid imaging?
- Did your evaluation process reveal any strengths or weaknesses in the protocols you developed? What did you learn from these?
- How did your understanding of both CT and its role in hybrid imaging evolve through this activity?
- How will this experience inform your future development and evaluation of CT protocols in hybrid imaging?
- What areas related to CT protocol optimisation in hybrid imaging do you need to explore further?
- What next steps will you take to enhance your skills in developing and evaluating such protocols?
- What support or resources would help you to further your knowledge in this area?
Beyond action
- Review the CT imaging protocols you developed and evaluated.
- What were the key considerations you took into account regarding clinical requirements and image quality?
- Compare the protocols you developed with standard clinical protocols used in your department.
- What similarities and differences did you observe, and what were the reasons for these?
- Reflect on the evaluation process you undertook. What methods did you use, and how effective were they in determining the appropriateness of the protocols?
- Have you since gained more experience in CT imaging or hybrid imaging that has changed your perspective on the protocols you developed?
- How has this experience built your confidence and ability in selecting and advising on technical parameters for CT data in hybrid imaging?
- Has your understanding of CT acquisition parameters, reconstruction algorithms, and their impact on image quality and patient dose been enhanced by this practical experience?
- How has this activity informed your understanding of discussions around image quality and patient dose optimisation in CT?
- Developing and evaluating CT protocols requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- How will these skills be valuable in future roles or when dealing with new clinical challenges?
- Consider how this experience might contribute to your ability to develop and implement new or revised imaging procedures in the future.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Select and advise on the technical parameters used to acquire and reconstruct clinical CT data as part of hybrid imaging investigations. |