Module information
Module details
- Title
- Introduction to Nuclear Medicine
- Type
- Rotation
- Module code
- S-NM-R1
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 1
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module will introduce trainees to the practices and principles of Nuclear Medicine and the role of Nuclear Medicine Physicists in treating patients.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a Nuclear Medicine departmental meeting and reflect on the meeting |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a technologist/radiographer performing clinical investigations and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe a radionuclide therapy and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow the pathways of a patient undergoing diagnostic investigation and reflect on the journey |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 |
Training activities
Explore an innovation in Nuclear Medicine and reflect on the impact this will have on practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 |
Training activities
Review the importance of legislation and radiation protection relevant to Nuclear Medicine and reflect on how this guides practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe equipment quality control testing and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe image processing and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a nuclear medicine clinical image evaluation (reporting) session and reflect on the session |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a Nuclear Medicine Clinical Scientist and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion
Complete 1 DOPS or OCE
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Simulate preparation of an unsealed radioactive quality control source.
- Perform daily quality control on a radionuclide calibrator.
- Perform gamma camera probe quality control.
Observed Communication Event Titles
- Gather a patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, or a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to another a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Introduce yourself and explain your role to a patient.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the contribution of Nuclear Medicine to patient care. |
| 2 | Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary team in Nuclear Medicine. |
| 3 | Describe the working practices of Nuclear Medicine. |
| 4 | Examine the impact of innovation in Nuclear Medicine. |
| 5 | Review the effect of legislation in Nuclear Medicine. |
| 6 | Compare and contrast the practice of Nuclear Medicine with other specialties. |
Clinical experiences
Activities
There is no clinical experiential learning associated with this module.
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:
- Apply integrative knowledge of the physical principles underpinning image creation in gamma cameras and PET scanners.
- Explain the basic operation of non-imaging equipment in nuclear medicine.
- Describe routine quality control measurements for imaging and non-imaging equipment.
- Critically appraise acquisition modes in clinical imaging and the basic principles of image registration in hybrid imaging.
- Discuss radiopharmaceutical production and common clinical applications.
Indicative content
| Gamma camera operation | Gamma ray absorption and scatter in the crystal, signal production and amplification, localisation, pulse height analysis, energy discrimination, collimation, matrices and image formation. |
| Image quality | Collimator parameters, matrix sizes, acquisition times, patient-camera distance, resolution and sensitivity |
| Non-imaging equipment | Operation of the sample counter, gamma probe and radionuclide calibrator |
| Quality control | Basic QC measurements for gamma camera, gamma counter and gamma probe |
| Radiopharmacy production | Molybdenum radionuclide generator, manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals and molybdenum breakthrough quality testing |
| Radiopharmaceuticals | Radiopharmaceuticals in routine diagnosis and therapy, typical normal and abnormal appearances |
| PET scanner | Positron emission, signal production, line of response, time of flight, image formation and SUV |
| Image registration | Introduction to image registration and hybrid imaging |
Module assigned to
Specialties
| Specialty code | Specialty title | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty code SPE1-5-22 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-22 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-22 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-22 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-23 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-23 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-23 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-23 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-24 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-24 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-24 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-24 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2024] | Action View |