Newswise — Reston, VA—A white paper addressing the challenges and opportunities in theranostics education has been released by leaders representing 12 nuclear medicine organizations worldwide. The paper, published in the June edition of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, presents a comprehensive overview of the existing educational and accreditation programs related to theranostics across different countries. Moreover, it offers guidelines aimed at supporting nations in the development of robust educational and training curricula. The goal is to equip physicians with the necessary knowledge and skills to proficiently and securely carry out nuclear theranostics procedures with confidence.
Theranostics is a concept that combines therapeutics and diagnostics into a unified approach for managing diseases. With their exceptional sensitivity and specificity, theranostic radiopharmaceuticals have emerged as crucial components of precision medicine, greatly enhancing the management of various diseases, especially in the field of oncology.
"The clinical application of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine presents considerable challenges," stated the authors. "To establish a fully integrated specialty that combines diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, profound expertise is required in diverse fields such as medicine, radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, dosimetry, radiopharmacology, complex imaging equipment, as well as a comprehensive understanding of patient diseases, management, healthcare systems, and healthcare economics. This complex knowledge, experience, and expertise present both exceptional opportunities and formidable challenges for medical schools, imaging facilities, and nuclear medicine centers worldwide."
The report provides a summary of theranostics educational and training initiatives offered globally from 2018 to 2022, as compiled by members of the Nuclear Medicine Global Initiative. Noteworthy organizations participating in this initiative include the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine, Asia Oceania Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, Arab Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, British Nuclear Medicine Society, Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine, European Association of Nuclear Medicine, International Atomic Energy Agency, Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine, Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine, South African Society of Nuclear Medicine, Society of Nuclear Medicine–India, and Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
To ensure the appropriate and safe utilization of nuclear theranostics, it is essential to establish a curriculum template with minimum requirements. This will enable the provision of comprehensive education, training, and expertise in the field of theranostics, taking into account the diverse backgrounds of providers. The report presents a universal framework for postgraduate education and training of nuclear medicine physicians, designed to enhance their proficiency in nuclear theranostics. Additionally, it includes a framework for educating current nuclear medicine physicians about theranostics, allowing them to expand their knowledge and skills in this rapidly evolving field.
The group emphasized the rapid evolution of the science and practice of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals, highlighting the importance of ongoing medical education. They stressed that continuous learning is essential to ensure healthcare professionals maintain adequate and current knowledge and expertise in performing diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures.
This article was made available online in May 2023.
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