SNMMI/ABNM Joint Position Statement on Optimizing Training in Nuclear Medicine in the Era of Hybrid Imaging

Abstract

It became a primary medical specialty board whose only sponsor was the SNMMI in 1985. Medical specialties are defined by their core knowledge, not by technologies, because technologies are constantly changing. Nuclear medicine is a primary medical specialty because its core knowledge (exploitation of the tracer principle to study biochemical, physiologic, and molecular processes in time and space) is unique. The ABNM defines nuclear medicine as "the medical specialty that uses the tracer principle, most often with radiopharmaceuticals, to evaluate molecular, metabolic, physiologic and pathologic conditions of the body for the purposes of diagnosis, therapy and research" (1). The ABNM has recently published a statement on nuclear medicine professional competency and scope of practice (2). Nuclear medicine training programs embrace the complete spectrum of the practice of nuclear medicine, including general diagnostic procedures, radionuclide therapies, and cardiac imaging with exercise or pharmacologic agents. Residency programs in nuclear medicine are robust and for the past 40 y have trained most of the nuclear medicine physicians in practice. In 2012-2013, there are 54 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited nuclear medicine resident training programs, and there are currently 144 on-duty trainees (3,4). ABNM has issued 789 certificates from 2000 to 2012, and the number has remained stable since the early 1980s (Fig. 1).The ABR began offering its own certificate of competence in nuclear radiology in 1973. Nuclear radiology was established as a subset of nuclear medicine limited to nuclear diagnostic imaging. Fellowship programs in nuclear radiology have been created that lead to eligibility for subspecialty certification in nuclear radiology by the ABR. Physicians must have ABR certification in diagnostic radiology and have an additional year of fellowship training in nuclear radiology in one of the 19 ACGME-accredited nuclear radiology training programs. In 2012-2013, there are 18 onduty trainees (3,4). This training pathway includes a total of 16 mo in nuclear radiology: 4 mo during diagnostic radiology residency and 12 mo during a nuclear radiology fellowship. In 2011, the ABR created a second pathway for subspecialty certification in nuclear radiology consisting of 16 mo of training in nuclear radiology or nuclear medicine during 4 y of diagnostic radiology residency, of which 10 mo must be consecutive. A significant difference between nuclear medicine and nuclear radiology is the amount of training required for therapy with radiopharmaceuticals as described in a conjoint statement on credentialing and delineation of privileges for therapeutic procedures using radiopharmaceuticals (5). Hybrid Imaging and Molecular ImagingThe emergence of hybrid imaging in nuclear medicine has changed the scope of knowledge required for nuclear medicine physicians. Nuclear medicine physicians must now have a greater knowledge of 3-dimensional anatomy. In addition, molecular imaging is an evolv...

Letter to the Editor from the American Board of Nuclear Medicine

“…The American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM) would like to comment on the article by Oates and Guiberteau ''Adoption of the 16-Month American Board of Radiology Pathway to Dual Board Certifications in Nuclear Radiology and/or Nuclear Medicine for Diagnostic Radiology Residents, '' in Acad Radiol 2014;21:1348-1356 The ABNM also supports combined training in diagnostic radiology (DR) and nuclear medicine (NM) or nuclear radiology (NR), as well as existing 4-year and 5-year pathways, which give training programs maximum flexibility to develop these pathways and the most opportunities for individual physicians who may be interested in them (1).…”

Hybrid Imaging Worldwide—Challenges and Opportunities for the Developing World: A Report of a Technical Meeting Organized by IAEA

“…Therefore, a document summarizing the SNMMI and ABNM views was published in September 2012. 36 should be adopted to promote quality and safety. 6.…”

“…[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] The following sections address separately the current positions and trends regarding educational programs in hybrid imaging in the USA and in Europe, considering that a common European or USA document on the educational needs concerning hybrid imaging is lacking. For better clarity and comprehension, a glossary of terms is provided in Table 3.…”

Incidental extra-cardiac findings on 13NH3 myocardial perfusion PET/CT

“…One pathway is residency training leading to dual certification. 9,10 Guidelines already exist for the reporting of MPI. They include recommended terminology for MPI, image display, and preliminary reports.…”