Education Spotlight: Nuclear Medicine Residency
Before the start of the new school year, Medical Imaging sat down with Nuclear Medicine Division Lead Dr. Amer Shammas to discuss his role in Nuclear Medicine, and this month we’re taking a deep dive into the program itself.
Nuclear Medicine, offered as a two-year residency at the University of Toronto’s (UofT) Department of Medical Imaging (MI), plays an integral role in numerous aspects of patient care, including diagnosis, disease management and treatment for diverse and wide-ranging illnesses, as well as radionuclide therapy.
While general radiology provides mainly anatomical imaging, nuclear medicine can provide functional imaging, combining anatomy and physiology with advanced imaging techniques, including dynamic SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT as well as emerging PET/MR techniques. An ever-evolving subspecialty of radiology, nuclear medicine continues to be at the forefront of technological advancements, making the ever-changing division an enticing option for radiologists interested in new technology.
Beyond diagnostics, nuclear medicine radiologists are also involved in therapeutic procedures called theranostics, which pair Nuclear Imaging with specific targeted radionuclide therapy, such as Ga68 DOTA DATE PET/CT and Lu177 DOTA TATE for neuroendocrine tumors.
“Nuclear medicine is a rapidly growing but small specialty, as it requires highly skilled and trained physicians to be able to handle radioactive substances and use new technology with precision,” Dr. Shammas explains. “Because of this and the length required for training, residents of this program receive comprehensive training, which is hugely beneficial, especially for such a complicated specialty.”
The large number and variety of procedures using nuclear medicine performed in each hospital provide residents broad exposure to the specialty. Other aspects that make the residency stand out against others include ample research opportunities, diverse clinical exposure and comprehensive training, with only two trainees being admitted to the program each year.
MI’s Nuclear Medicine residency is certified by the Royal College of Canada, offering certification to residents who complete training. After residents complete both their Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine residencies, they become dual certified radiologists and Nuclear Medicine physicians.
The program also incorporates the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s new training initiative, Competence by Design (CBD), which includes resources developed by UofT’s Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME). The program’s curriculum also boasts ample learning opportunities through structured teaching rounds including clinical and basic science, as well as UofT’s Visiting Professor Program.