Outline of Radiological Technology

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Outline of Radiological Technology

• Diagnostic Radiography
• Therapeutic Radiography

V.G.Wimalaena Principal School of Radiography
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Radiological Technology

• Radiological technology is a branch of Healthcare
• It is the science ( art) that deals with
  diagnosis of diseases (by imaging) and treatment
  of some diseases using ionizing radiation

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Diagnostic Imaging modalities (branches)

• 1. Using ionizing radiation
• Radiography Producing images using X-rays
• Plain radiography
• Static images (chest, skull, abdomen..)
• Contrast Radiography
• Static images (e.g. IVU.)
• Dynamic images (Fluoroscopy) (e.g. Barium
  studies, Coronary Angiography)

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Diagnostic Imaging .

• Mammography
• Tomography (conventional)
• Computerized Tomography (CT)
• Computed Radiography (CR)
• Digital Radiography (DR)
• Digital Fluoroscopy
• Digital Subraction Angiography
• Nuclear Imaging (Radio-Isotope imaging)
• Bone scan, renal studies, thyroid scans..SPECT,
  PET

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Diagnostic Imaging .

• 2. Other modalities (that does not involve
  ionizing radiation)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultra Sound scanning (US)

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Therapeutic Radiography

• Treatment of Cancers using Ionizing radiation
• Brachytherapy
• Teletherapy

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Brachytherapy

• The radiation source is kept as close as possible
  to the site of the tumour (usualy within the
  body)
• To minimize the effect on the normal structures
• To maximize the effectiveness of the treatment
• Using beta rays, gamma rays
• Positron therapy

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Teletherapy

• The radiation source is out side the body and at
  a distance from the tumour
• Cobolt 60 sources
• High energy x-rays
• Linear accelerators

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Who are we?

• Radiological technologists/Radiographers
• Are members of a team of health-care
  professionals who work in consort to maximize
  patient wellness
• Are Governed by a code of ethics and principles
  of professional conduct

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Our Duties
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General radiography
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Plain radiography
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IVU
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Barium studies
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Mammography
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CT Scanning
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CT images
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Digital subtraction angiography (DSA)
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Coronary Angiography
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Nuclear Medicine
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(Nuclear imaging) Bone scans
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Nuclear medicine SPECT scanning
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MRI Scanning
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MRI images
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Lithotripsy
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Radiotherapy - Teletherapy
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Masking
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Planning Simulation
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Brachytherapy
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Linear Accelerator
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Advancement in the field

• PET-CT hybrid images of PET CT to locate the
  tumours for treatment
• SPECT-CT

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Specific Risks involved

• Mechanical injury
• Electrical injury
• Radiation injury

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Radiation hazards

• Somatic effects
• Cancer
• Cataract
• Leucaemia
• Genetic effects
• Fetal Deformities
• Infertility
• Abortion
• Still births

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Radiation protection

• Patient
• Public dose limits
• Staff -
• Self
• Occupatienal dose limit (IAEA)
• Monitoring
• Devices
• Procedure

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Competencies Required

• Patient care
• Anatomy Physiology (Structure and function of
  the body)
• Pathology (Identifying diseases)
• Equipment (Physics, operation maintenance
• Imaging techniques
• Radio-Therapy techniques
• Radiation protection
• Quality control

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Patient care

• Both fields (diagnostic Therapy) deal with
  different catogories of patients
• Should demonstrate knowledge skills in
• Patient psychology
• Effective communication
• Patient care techniques

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Training

• Two years (Full time)
• School Started in 1957
• Still the same duration
• No post basic training / continuing education
  avenues
• No avenues for upgrading professional level

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Achievements

• Starting BSc. Radiogaphy course at University of
  Peradeniya in 2006

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Challenges

• To overcome the Objections for the Degree
  programme by some elements of the health sector..
• To stop emplyment of unqualified personnel as
  radiographers in private sector

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Deficiencies in present training suggestions

• Facilities incompatible with the number of
  trainees.
• Inadiquate duration
• No procedure for Recruitment of tutors
• CT, MRI, NM are not included
• Extention of training period 3 years
• Implementation of a Proper recruitment procedure

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Future plans to upgrade the radiological
technology in Sri lanka

• Implementation of in-service training programme
• Convert the school to university college?
• External degree/lateral entry to Bsc cources ?
• Service minute - implement / ammendment?

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Thank you!