From: "Gail Durbridge" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Dear List, Post graduate MRI studies at the University of Queensland (UQ) were referred to in a recent email to this list, and we would like to clear up some misunderstandings. 1. As far as we are aware, NO University postgraduate MRI course is "Accredited" by AIR -including ours. We have never claimed otherwise, and ensure all of our students are aware of that at enrolment. We do try and display our brochures at all levels of MRI education meetings, including the AIR National Conferences of 2003 (Adelaide), 2002 (Coffs Harbour) and 2001(Brisbane)..as do other Australian Universities. We also make certain that all students who do not have the general AIR statement of accreditation, (either because they are not radiographers, or because they are from overseas), are fully aware that completing our course will NOT enable them to gain either level of AIR accreditation. Our courses emphasise the technology of MR, to extend what the student has learnt previously, and are in no way a replacement for the teaching of radiography practice. In fact, we assume that knowledge base. After all, that is what postgraduate education is about. 2. The Centre for Magnetic Resonance (CMR), UQ established an MRI post graduate course for radiographers in response to a recommendation in 1995 by the NH&MRC, which found that (at the time) such courses were lacking in Australia. Not having an undergrad medical imaging course on campus does not preclude us from teaching MRI. We specialise in MRI. We have PhD students from around the world, coming to Brisbane to study with us. Our post grad (electronic delivery) courses for radiographers attract students from all over the world, including UK, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand. Our teaching staff include MRI radiographers with tertiary teaching qualifications and many years lecturing experience in medical imaging. We are the largest MRI facility in the southern hemisphere, with over twelve imaging and spectroscopy systems. Many of our staff are internationally reknowned within the MRI community, speak and publish both domestically and abroad, and hold patents for technology used on the majority of current clinical scanners. The staff of CMR have published in excess of 500 internationally referreed papers in MR pulse sequence development and applications. We own four whole body scanners ( three of which are in conjunction with local Brisbane hospitals) Our brand new 4 Tesla whole body scanner is one of only 10 in the world , and the first based on a standard clinical interface . We conduct an extensive array of research projects including those in the areas of Neurology (including fMRI with on staff neurologists and neuropsychologist), MSK/Human Movements, Cardiac, Endocrine, Paediatrics and Veterinary Applications. We also have extensive experience in spectroscopy, including nuclei other than proton. Our teaching staff include experienced accredited radiographers, scientists, physicists, medical practioners and PhD students. Apologies for this lengthy email, this is the short version. Yours Sincerely Professor Graham Galloway, Coordinator, Magnetic Resonance Technology Teaching Program [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gail Durbridge, Senior Research Radiographer, Magnetic Resonance Technology Teaching Program, MIR [EMAIL PROTECTED] Centre for Magnetic Resonance University of Queensland 07 3365 4100 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dieter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 9:36 AM Subject: [AIRNEWS] MR for nm Techs > 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. +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= 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.
