Training activity information
Details
Present case studies of imaging investigations following the patient pathways from referral, justification/authorisation, image acquisition and processing, reporting and discussion of results. To include image investigations using:
- Tomographic nuclear medicine
- Hybrid techniques
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
- Referral information and choice of test
- Choice of radiopharmaceutical, radiopharmaceutical provision and administered activity
- Use of adjuvant medications
- Uptake/imaging period
- Acquisition parameters
- Processing and display techniques
- Patient understanding of procedure
- Patient consent process (implied, verbal)
- Patient centred care and support and patient experience
- Local procedures and published guidelines
- Operator roles
- Practical implementation of IR(ME)R
- Role of test within the patient pathway
- CT contrast
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
- Which specific tomographic and hybrid imaging cases will you focus on?
- What specific insights do you hope to gain into the entire patient pathway for tomographic and hybrid Nuclear Medicine imaging?
- Reflect on your current understanding of these pathways and the specific considerations for these techniques.
- What do you anticipate learning about effectively presenting complex case studies involving advanced imaging modalities?
- Discuss suitable case studies with your training officer, ensuring a focus on tomographic and hybrid techniques.
- Review the typical patient pathways and the principles of tomographic and hybrid imaging.
- Plan how to present the unique aspects of these investigations, such as image fusion and reconstruction.
In action
- How are you structuring and delivering your presentation of the case study?
- How are you ensuring you cover all aspects of the patient pathway from referral to discussion of results for tomographic and hybrid techniques?
- What specific considerations for these techniques are you highlighting?
- What decisions are you making during the presentation? For example, how are you explaining the principles of tomography or the benefits of hybrid imaging?
- How are you integrating information from different modalities?
- What aspects of presenting case studies involving advanced imaging techniques feel intuitive, and what requires more conscious effort, such as explaining the technical aspects of reconstruction algorithms or the correlation of functional and anatomical information?
- How effectively are you communicating the key aspects of the case study, including the specifics of tomographic and hybrid imaging and their contribution to the diagnosis?
- What challenges are you facing during the presentation? For example, are you struggling to explain complex imaging principles clearly?
- Are you effectively demonstrating the added value of these techniques?
- What can you learn about presenting advanced imaging case studies, explaining complex technical concepts, and highlighting the clinical utility of these techniques as the presentation unfolds?
- How does this presentation connect to your existing knowledge of tomographic Nuclear Medicine (e.g., SPECT, PET) and hybrid imaging (e.g., SPECT-CT, PET-CT), as well as your understanding of their role in patient pathways?
- Are there alternative ways you could be visualising or explaining the principles of tomography or the co-registration of hybrid images if the audience seems unclear?
- What support or feedback are you actively seeking regarding your ability to explain these advanced techniques in a clear and understandable manner?
- Are you ensuring that your presentation is within your scope of practice and accurately represents the technical and clinical aspects of these advanced imaging investigations?
On action
- What were the key aspects of the patient pathways for the tomographic nuclear medicine and hybrid technique investigations you presented?
- What were the critical stages of referral, justification/authorisation, image acquisition and processing, reporting, and discussion of results for each case?
- What were the main findings and outcomes for each case study?
- How was the information presented and to whom?
- What did you learn about the role of tomographic and hybrid imaging within Nuclear Medicine patient pathways?
- How did this activity further your understanding of your role in the multidisciplinary team?
- What did you learn about the specific considerations for these advanced imaging techniques within the patient journey?
- How did the use of hybrid techniques influence the justification, interpretation, and discussion of results?
- How did your reflection-in-action (during preparation and presentation) influence the way you structured and delivered the information?
- How does this experience relate to effective communication within the multidisciplinary team?
- What areas for continued development in understanding the complexities of advanced imaging pathways and presenting related case studies have been identified?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to future discussions or presentations involving tomographic and hybrid imaging?
- What actions will you take to deepen your knowledge of these techniques and their clinical application?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your expertise in this area?
Beyond action
- Consider revisiting the tomographic and hybrid imaging case studies you presented.
- Have you encountered similar cases or new advancements in these techniques since, and how has your understanding evolved?
- Compare your experience of presenting these more complex imaging modalities with the presentation of simpler techniques.
- What additional considerations are important when discussing tomographic and hybrid imaging?
- Review your reflections from this training activity alongside other activities involving advanced imaging and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- How have you developed your ability to integrate information from different imaging modalities?
- Discuss your case study presentations with specialists in tomographic and hybrid imaging. Did they provide insights into image interpretation or the clinical utility of these techniques that you hadn’t considered?
- Recognise how this activity has deepened your understanding of advanced nuclear medicine techniques and their role in complex clinical scenarios.
- How has your appreciation for the benefits and limitations of tomographic and hybrid imaging grown?
- How has your experience influenced your ability to understand and contribute to discussions involving these advanced imaging modalities?
- Consider how the learning from this training activity will support you in observed communication events and case-based discussions that may involve more complex imaging.
- Identify the transferable skills developed, such as the ability to understand and explain complex technical information, critical evaluation of diagnostic techniques, and appreciation for multidisciplinary working (especially with radiology in hybrid imaging).
- How might these skills be valuable in specialist roles or research involving advanced imaging?
- Identify actions for continued development in your knowledge of tomographic and hybrid imaging.
- What further training or opportunities to work with these techniques might you pursue?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Evaluate practice with respect to published guidelines and expected standards. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Identify the role of Nuclear Medicine procedures within patient pathways and their own role within a multidisciplinary team delivering these. |