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Medical Physics Training and Auditing in the Netherlands
Physica Medica 30 (2014) e45ee74
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Physica Medica journal homepage: http://www.physicamedica.com
e-Posters with presentation DOSIMETRIC EVALUATION TO MEDICAL WORKERS OPERATING IN A PET/CT DEPARTMENT AFTER THE USE OF DYNAMIC TECHNIQUES K. Dalianis, A. Nikaki, R. Efhtymiadou, J. Andreou, V. Prassopoulos. PET/CT Department Hygeia SA, Athens, Greece Aim: Positron Emission Tomography is considered to be one of the most relevant diagnostic imaging techniques having peculiar characteristic to provide both functional and morphological information for the patient. Due to the high-energy tracers emitting 511 KeV used in PET/CT departments and considering the risks associated to ionizing radiation that have been derived from previous studies, special attention is needed when dealing with radiation protection aspects in a PET/CT modality . Since new radiopharmaceuticals such us [18F]-fluorothymidine and 18F fluoromethylcholine are used, new imaging dynamic techniques are performed and new measurements concerning the doses to medical staff are needed. The aim of this study was to measure the effective wholebody dose of the personnel in comparison with measurements that have been made in the past. Method: The estimation of equivalent dose from external dosimetry for all seven members of the staff was monitored with the use of TLDs badges and electronic dosimeters worn at the upper pocket of their overall. The average workload of the department is 6-8 patients per day. In 2013, 983 patients were examined. In our department 18F-FDG, 18F-FCT, 18F-FCH is available in multi dose vials. Data were collected day-to-day concerning the interaction of the staff during PET/CT procedures. Results: We compared the first six months of 2013 a period in which no FLT or FCH procedures were performed, with the second semester in which 96 FLT and 66 FCH examinations were performed. The average number of FDG patients was the same for every day, and all patients received 330-390 MBq dose each. Regarding the whole body doses no changes were observed concerning medical physicist. The measurements for the nurses show increased wholebody dose of about 7-12% and that is due to the longer time spent near the patient. Concerning the technologist doses, an increase of about 15-21% was measured because they are near to patient at the time of the injection. Conclusions: Regulations exist to ensure safety of the medical workers according to ALARA principles. From our results we can observe that although there is an increase of the doses for technologists and nurses the numbers are significantly lower than the recommended annual dose limit by Euratrom 97/43. MEDICAL PHYSICS TRAINING AND AUDITING IN THE NETHERLANDS Marion Essers, Marloes Damen, Wim van Damme, Marcel Greuter, Stan Heukelom, Jochen van Osch, Dyon Scheyen, Christoph Schneider, Esther van Schrojenstein, Ad Snik, Christiaan van Swol, Pieter Wijn;. on behalf of the Dutch Medical Physicist Training Foundation Background and introduction: In the Netherlands, the ‘Dutch Medical Physicist Training Foundation’ (OKF) organizes the education of medical physics experts (MPE). Approximately 90 MPE-residents are in training, in groups of 2-4 per trainer. They are trained in one of the areas of expertise: radiotherapy, radiology, nuclear medicine, audiology/videology or general medical physics. In this presentation, the Dutch Curriculum for MPEs will be discussed, and compared with European guidelines (the EFOMP Policy
Statement 12.1, and the ESTRO/EFOMP Core Curriculum for Medical Physicists in Radiotherapy) with respect to knowledge, skills and competences (KSC). In addition, the training program, assessment methods, minimum training institute requirements, and training auditing will be presented. Design: OKF is responsible for the Curriculum and the accreditation of institutions, trainers and trainees. Access to the MPE program is restricted to students with an MSc in physics or an equivalent academic education. The Curriculum consists of a general part (similar for all areas of expertise) of two years and a two year specialisation part. A complete revision of the Curriculum during 2011-2014 was based on ESTROs European CC for medical physicists in radiotherapy, the Dutch medical residency programs, and the CANMEDs system of competences. Based on this Curriculum, each resident writes an individualized training program covering the two general years and two specialisation years (not necessarily in consecutive order), which has to be approved by the review board of OKF. During their training, the development of the MPE residents with respect to KSC is assessed using progress reports twice a year and several feedback methods. Quality aspects of individual trainers and requirements and educational settings of the training institutes are reviewed and accredited every five years by the review board. Discussion: In the Netherlands the Curriculum for medical physicists in training has recently been fully revised, and most of the recommendations on Medical Physics Education and Training in Europe 2014 (EFOMP Policy Statement 12.1) are implemented. Still, we would like to discuss our Curriculum and approach in order to further improve the quality and uniformity of Medical Physics Education and Training in the Netherlands and Europe. MAGNETOENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND TASTE A. Adamopoulos, T. Gemousakakis, P. Anninos, I. Seimenis, A. Kotini. Lab of Medical Physics, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece Magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings were evaluated in five different states: normal condition, sweet, bitter, sour, and salty taste. We report two study protocols. The first protocol included 28 healthy volunteers, 14 male and 14 female (12 - 50 years old). Fourier spectral analysis of the MEG showed that, in the normal condition, as well as in the sweet and bitter taste, the male volunteers exhibited a higher count of low (2 Hz) than high frequencies (7 Hz) compared to the female ones; in the case of the sour taste, there was no clear differentiation between the genders; with the salt taste, the female volunteers exhibited a higher count of low frequencies (2 Hz) whereas there was no clear differentiation in the number of high frequencies (7 Hz) between the gender. The second protocol included 25 healthy female volunteers. They were divided in two groups according to age: group A (10e19 years old) and group B (20e30 years old). There was a higher count of low (2 Hz) and a lower count of high frequencies (7 Hz) with increasing age, in all studied states. We compared each state for the frequencies of 2 Hz and 7 Hz between the two groups. Statistically significant differences were found in the normal and sweet states for the frequencies of 2 Hz and 7 Hz and in the salty taste for the frequency of 7 Hz. We also intra-compared the five states in group A and the five states in group B for the 2 Hz and 7 Hz frequencies. The results were not statistically significant. A differentiation in the distribution of frequencies may provide novel insights into the gender-related taste sensation and the age-dependence of taste quality brain centers.
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Physica Medica journal homepage: http://www.physicamedica.com
e-Posters with presentation DOSIMETRIC EVALUATION TO MEDICAL WORKERS OPERATING IN A PET/CT DEPARTMENT AFTER THE USE OF DYNAMIC TECHNIQUES K. Dalianis, A. Nikaki, R. Efhtymiadou, J. Andreou, V. Prassopoulos. PET/CT Department Hygeia SA, Athens, Greece Aim: Positron Emission Tomography is considered to be one of the most relevant diagnostic imaging techniques having peculiar characteristic to provide both functional and morphological information for the patient. Due to the high-energy tracers emitting 511 KeV used in PET/CT departments and considering the risks associated to ionizing radiation that have been derived from previous studies, special attention is needed when dealing with radiation protection aspects in a PET/CT modality . Since new radiopharmaceuticals such us [18F]-fluorothymidine and 18F fluoromethylcholine are used, new imaging dynamic techniques are performed and new measurements concerning the doses to medical staff are needed. The aim of this study was to measure the effective wholebody dose of the personnel in comparison with measurements that have been made in the past. Method: The estimation of equivalent dose from external dosimetry for all seven members of the staff was monitored with the use of TLDs badges and electronic dosimeters worn at the upper pocket of their overall. The average workload of the department is 6-8 patients per day. In 2013, 983 patients were examined. In our department 18F-FDG, 18F-FCT, 18F-FCH is available in multi dose vials. Data were collected day-to-day concerning the interaction of the staff during PET/CT procedures. Results: We compared the first six months of 2013 a period in which no FLT or FCH procedures were performed, with the second semester in which 96 FLT and 66 FCH examinations were performed. The average number of FDG patients was the same for every day, and all patients received 330-390 MBq dose each. Regarding the whole body doses no changes were observed concerning medical physicist. The measurements for the nurses show increased wholebody dose of about 7-12% and that is due to the longer time spent near the patient. Concerning the technologist doses, an increase of about 15-21% was measured because they are near to patient at the time of the injection. Conclusions: Regulations exist to ensure safety of the medical workers according to ALARA principles. From our results we can observe that although there is an increase of the doses for technologists and nurses the numbers are significantly lower than the recommended annual dose limit by Euratrom 97/43. MEDICAL PHYSICS TRAINING AND AUDITING IN THE NETHERLANDS Marion Essers, Marloes Damen, Wim van Damme, Marcel Greuter, Stan Heukelom, Jochen van Osch, Dyon Scheyen, Christoph Schneider, Esther van Schrojenstein, Ad Snik, Christiaan van Swol, Pieter Wijn;. on behalf of the Dutch Medical Physicist Training Foundation Background and introduction: In the Netherlands, the ‘Dutch Medical Physicist Training Foundation’ (OKF) organizes the education of medical physics experts (MPE). Approximately 90 MPE-residents are in training, in groups of 2-4 per trainer. They are trained in one of the areas of expertise: radiotherapy, radiology, nuclear medicine, audiology/videology or general medical physics. In this presentation, the Dutch Curriculum for MPEs will be discussed, and compared with European guidelines (the EFOMP Policy
Statement 12.1, and the ESTRO/EFOMP Core Curriculum for Medical Physicists in Radiotherapy) with respect to knowledge, skills and competences (KSC). In addition, the training program, assessment methods, minimum training institute requirements, and training auditing will be presented. Design: OKF is responsible for the Curriculum and the accreditation of institutions, trainers and trainees. Access to the MPE program is restricted to students with an MSc in physics or an equivalent academic education. The Curriculum consists of a general part (similar for all areas of expertise) of two years and a two year specialisation part. A complete revision of the Curriculum during 2011-2014 was based on ESTROs European CC for medical physicists in radiotherapy, the Dutch medical residency programs, and the CANMEDs system of competences. Based on this Curriculum, each resident writes an individualized training program covering the two general years and two specialisation years (not necessarily in consecutive order), which has to be approved by the review board of OKF. During their training, the development of the MPE residents with respect to KSC is assessed using progress reports twice a year and several feedback methods. Quality aspects of individual trainers and requirements and educational settings of the training institutes are reviewed and accredited every five years by the review board. Discussion: In the Netherlands the Curriculum for medical physicists in training has recently been fully revised, and most of the recommendations on Medical Physics Education and Training in Europe 2014 (EFOMP Policy Statement 12.1) are implemented. Still, we would like to discuss our Curriculum and approach in order to further improve the quality and uniformity of Medical Physics Education and Training in the Netherlands and Europe. MAGNETOENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND TASTE A. Adamopoulos, T. Gemousakakis, P. Anninos, I. Seimenis, A. Kotini. Lab of Medical Physics, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece Magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings were evaluated in five different states: normal condition, sweet, bitter, sour, and salty taste. We report two study protocols. The first protocol included 28 healthy volunteers, 14 male and 14 female (12 - 50 years old). Fourier spectral analysis of the MEG showed that, in the normal condition, as well as in the sweet and bitter taste, the male volunteers exhibited a higher count of low (2 Hz) than high frequencies (7 Hz) compared to the female ones; in the case of the sour taste, there was no clear differentiation between the genders; with the salt taste, the female volunteers exhibited a higher count of low frequencies (2 Hz) whereas there was no clear differentiation in the number of high frequencies (7 Hz) between the gender. The second protocol included 25 healthy female volunteers. They were divided in two groups according to age: group A (10e19 years old) and group B (20e30 years old). There was a higher count of low (2 Hz) and a lower count of high frequencies (7 Hz) with increasing age, in all studied states. We compared each state for the frequencies of 2 Hz and 7 Hz between the two groups. Statistically significant differences were found in the normal and sweet states for the frequencies of 2 Hz and 7 Hz and in the salty taste for the frequency of 7 Hz. We also intra-compared the five states in group A and the five states in group B for the 2 Hz and 7 Hz frequencies. The results were not statistically significant. A differentiation in the distribution of frequencies may provide novel insights into the gender-related taste sensation and the age-dependence of taste quality brain centers.