Nuclear Medicine Studies 1

In this course students will develop the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes for Nuclear Medicine clinical practice. Content includes: Applied anatomy, physiology, and pathology in the context of nuclear medicine theory and technique of the skeletal, respiratory, endocrine and urinary systems in adult and paediatric patients. The process of image formation; digital image quality and manipulation; picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). Radiopharmacy including 99Molybdenum (Mo)/99mTechnetium (Tc) generator, kit reconstitution, quality control and radiopharmaceutical uptake in relation to the skeletal, respiratory, endocrine and urinary systems. Principles of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) including quality control procedures. Principles, calibration, quality control and use of the dose calibrator, the gamma camera and general Nuclear Medicine equipment including radiation and scintillation detectors. Introduction to radiation safety and radiation protection including radiation biology and regulatory and legal responsibilities. Interpersonal communication skills, responding empathically, patient consent, patient confidentiality, patients with particular needs (cultural, social, mobility, cognitive), interviewing skills, monitoring patient comfort and welfare, duty of care; team work; professionalism; ethics; legalities; medical terminology; situation analysis. National Safety and Quality in Health Service Standards.