Abstract
While the multi-disciplinary nature of nuclear medicine and clinical molecular imaging is a key strength of the specialty, the breadth of disciplines involved in the practice of nuclear medicine creates challenges for education and training. The evolution of nuclear medicine science and technology – and the practice of clinical molecular imaging and theranostics - has created a need for changes in the approach to specialty training. The broader US community of imaging physicians has been slow to accept this change, in good part due to historical divides between the nuclear medicine and radiology communities. In this JNM hot topics discussion, we review the historical pathways to training; discuss the training needs for the modern practice of nuclear medicine, clinical molecular imaging, and radionuclide therapy; and suggest a path forward for an approach to training that matches the needs of the evolving clinical specialty.
- Copyright © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.