Training in Nuclear Medicine

Abstract

In this issue of Radiology there appears an article by Kenneth R. McCormack, M.D., entitled, “Training in Nuclear Medicine for Radiology Residents.” The purpose of this editorial is to state personal views on some of the opinions which he expresses. The American Board of Radiology made Nuclear Medicine a mandatory part of its examination in 1962. At the same time, it made three months training or the equivalent thereof in the field a required part of the three-year training program in Radiology. This division of time in the training program was decided upon after much discussion and thought as a basic minimum. During the three-year program, the resident must have training in Diagnostic Roentgenology in its many aspects, including the various special procedures; in Therapeutic Radiology; in Radiation Physics; in Radiobiology; and in Nuclear Medicine. Training in Nuclear Medicine is usually given during the required twelve months of therapeutic radiology but may be allocated to either Diagnostic Radiology or Therapeutic Radiology, according to the wishes of the Program Director. Most teachers of the various facets of Radiology consider that their respective fields are the most important and should be given more time. It is, therefore, not surprising that those who specialize in Nuclear Medicine feel the same way. It should be pointed out, however, that there can be no decrease in the present allocation of time in any field and that any increase would, therefore, mean an increase in the overall training period. Such an increase would be contrary to the trend in medical education in the United States. All efforts at changing curricula in both medical schools and in postgraduate education are, or should be, directed toward reduction of the time between graduation from college and the practice of medicine. Mention is made in the article of enforcing training requirements. This is not a function of the American Board of Radiology. The Board does work with the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and by means of the Residency Review Committee considers inspection reports on residency programs. Whenever subminimal programs are detected, either in the reports to this Committee or as indicated by study of applications for examination by the Board or from the Quintennial Board inspections, the Program Director is advised of the deficiency, and suggestions are made regarding corrective measures. There is no distinct, recognized dominance by anyone of the specialties over the subject of nuclear medicine. At present, the American Board of Radiology is the only specialty Board devoting a specific portion of its examination and certification to this field of medicine. It has indicated to representatives of other Boards that it does not claim this as its sole right and recognizes that other Boards have equal rights to examine in the subject as it applies to their specialty.