From: Dieter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Ingrid,
After being unceremoniously out voted last night at the AIR branch meeting, about Nuc Med techs using MRI and sitting the exam, I thought I would raise a few points. The AIR wants diagnostic radiographers only to use MRI. What about a sonographer who is registered with ASUM but has never done radiography ? Do you exclude them ? The NM techs have done the required anatomy and physics as part of their degree so it is not like dragging someone in off the street. We have already given CT to the therapists. What is wrong with multi skilling ? There were some brochures out last night which I can only presume were endorsed by the AIR for short courses in MRI at the UQCMR. The University of Queensland does not provide an undergraduate medical imaging degree. How then can they provide a post grad in MRI ? Is this not a little hypocritical ? If we want to hold on the MRI to diagnostic radiographers but you can do a recognised course at a university that does not provide the undergraduate degree, what is going on ? You are afraid of fragmenting our profession. Why not multiskill us all and bring us closer together ? If there is nothing wrong with a sonographer doing x-rays, whay not a sonographer doing MRI and why not a N.M. tech doing unltrasound (which they do) or a nuc med tech doing MRI ? If the AIR got their act together and made the MRI exam a true representation of what it is, and that is proof that an operator is capable of running an MRI unit with both the physics and pathology knowledge then there would not be an issue. Why not make the exam the same as the DMU ? In that all MRI techs have to do a course and exam to be qualified ? MRI is so different to CT that any new operators need to retrain their way of thinking anyway. There is no real background that helps with MRI except for a knowledge of cross sectional anatomy (in three planes not just one like CT). Lets stop being hypocritical and make MR like U/S and make the operators do a course and an exam and that way we can be sure of their qualifications. For those current operators maybe 3-5 years current experience in MRI with a minimum of exams may be enough tho skip the course ? Also pehaps the AIR should look closer at UQ where the "MRI centre" is and ensure there is proper collaboration and communication with QUT (where med imaging is run) to ensure standards at both universities. Food for thought. Dieter B.App.SC (MIT) nearly Grad Dip (MRI) too. PS Rob I'll have the portfolio in by the end of next week :) +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= This message is being broadcast by AIRNEWS, the Australian Institute of Radiography list Server Send messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For assistance send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Commands should be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Opinions expressed on this list are not necessarily those of the moderator, his assistants or those of the A.I.R.
