1
|
Rainford L, Santos J, Alves F, Figueiredo JP, Hoeschen C, Damilakis J, Frija G, Andersson J, McNulty J, Foley S, Bacher K, Nestle U, Hierath M, Paulo G. Education and training in radiation protection in Europe: an analysis from the EURAMED rocc-n-roll project. Insights Imaging 2022; 13:142. [PMID: 36057698 PMCID: PMC9440860 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-022-01271-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis was performed to understand the status quo of education and training in radiation protection (RP) and to develop a coordinated European approach to RP training needs based on stakeholder consensus and existing activities in the field. Fourteen team members represented six European professional societies, one European voluntary organisation, two international healthcare organisations and five professions, namely: Medical Physicists; Nuclear Medicine Physicians; Radiologists; Radiation Oncologists and Radiographers. Four subgroups analysed the “Strengths”, “Weaknesses”, “Opportunities” and “Threats” related to E&T in RP developed under previous European Union (EU) programmes and on the Guidelines on Radiation Protection Education and Training of Medical Professionals in the EU.
Results Consensus agreement identified four themes for strengths and opportunities, namely: (1) existing structures and training recommendations; (2) RP training needs assessment and education & training (E&T) model(s) development; (3) E&T dissemination, harmonisation, and accreditation; (4) financial supports. Weaknesses and Threats analysis identified two themes: (1) awareness and prioritisation at a national/global level and (2) awareness and prioritisation by healthcare professional groups and researchers. Conclusions A lack of effective implementation of RP principles in daily practice was identified. EuRnR strategic planning needs to consider processes at European, national and local levels. Success is dependent upon efficient governance structures and expert leadership. Financial support is required to allow the stakeholder professional agencies to have sufficient resources to achieve a pan European radiation protection training network which is sustainable and accredited across multiple national domains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Rainford
- Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Room A201, UCD Health Science Centre, Belfield Campus, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Joana Santos
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC - Coimbra Health School, Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Alves
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC - Coimbra Health School, Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Figueiredo
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC - Coimbra Health School, Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Christoph Hoeschen
- Institute of Medical Technology, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Jonas Andersson
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Radiation Physics, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonathan McNulty
- Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Room A201, UCD Health Science Centre, Belfield Campus, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Shane Foley
- Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Room A201, UCD Health Science Centre, Belfield Campus, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Klaus Bacher
- Division of Medical Physics, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ursula Nestle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kliniken Maria Hilf, Moenchengladbach, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Monika Hierath
- European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research (EIBIR), Vienna, Austria
| | - Graciano Paulo
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC - Coimbra Health School, Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy, Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rehani MM, Nacouzi D. Higher patient doses through X-ray imaging procedures. Phys Med 2020; 79:80-86. [PMID: 33189060 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical imaging using X-rays has been one of the most popular imaging modalities ever since the discovery of X-rays 125 years ago. With unquestionable benefits, concerns about radiation risks have frequently been raised. Computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopic guided interventional procedures have the potential to impart higher radiation exposure to patients than radiographic examinations. Despite technological advances, there have been instances of increased doses per procedure mainly because of better diagnostic information in images. However, cumulative dose from multiple procedures is creating new concerns as effective doses >100 mSv are not uncommon. There is a need for action at all levels. Manufacturers must produce equipment that can provide a quality diagnostic image at substantially lesser dose and better implementation of optimization strategies by users. There is an urgent need for the industry to develop CT scanners with sub-mSv radiation dose, a goal that has been lingering. It appears that a new monochromatic X-ray source will lead to replacement of X-ray tubes all over the world in coming years and will lead to a drastic reduction in radiation doses. This innovation will impact all X-ray imaging and will help dose reduction. For interventional procedures, the likely employment of robotic systems in practice may drastically reduce radiation exposures to operators- but patient exposure will still remain an issue. Training needs always need to be emphasized and practiced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - David Nacouzi
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| |
Collapse
|