The new integrated nuclear medicine and radiology residency program in the Netherlands: why do residents choose to subspecialize in nuclear medicine and why not?

Velleman, Ton; Noordzij, Walter; Dierckx, Rudi; Ongena, Yfke; Kwee, Thomas C.

doi:10.2967/jnumed.120.261503

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In a study published in the current issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Velleman et al surveyed 114 residents to better understand their motivations for or against joining the nuclear medicine subspecialty (2). Only a few respondents were nuclear medicine trainees.…”

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confidence: 99%

The disappearance act of Nuclear Medicine in the Netherlands: Just a new trick by the great Harry Houdini?

Czernin

Herrmann

2021

J Nucl Med

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confidence: 99%

The disappearance act of Nuclear Medicine in the Netherlands: Just a new trick by the great Harry Houdini?

Czernin

Herrmann

2021

J Nucl Med

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“…More than 5 years have elapsed since its implementation, which provides the opportunity to evaluate firsthand, and independently from the organizing professional societies, the experiences from nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists who work in hospitals that offer this integrated training program. Previous research has identified factors that influence a resident’s choice to start the NMMR subspecialty of the integrated training, but experiences from nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists about the integrated training are still lacking [ 5 ]. This information may be useful to identify strengths of the program that may be emulated by other national societies who consider developing a similar program, and on the other hand, identify potential areas for improvement.…”

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confidence: 99%

The integrated nuclear medicine and radiology residency program in the Netherlands: strengths and potential areas for improvement according to nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists

Velleman

Kwee

Dierckx

et al. 2022

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging

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Purpose To evaluate the Dutch integrated nuclear medicine and radiology residency program from the perspective of nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists. Methods A survey was distributed among nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists in hospitals that participate in the Dutch integrated nuclear medicine and radiology training program. Results A total of 139 completed questionnaires were included. Nuclear medicine physicians (n = 36) assigned a mean score of 5.7 ± 2.0, and radiologists (n = 103) assigned a mean score of 6.5 ± 2.8 (on a 1–10 scale) to the success of the integrated training program in their hospital. On multiple regression, female gender of the survey participant (B = 2.22, P = 0.034), musculoskeletal radiology as subspecialty of the survey participant (B = 3.36, P = 0.032), and the survey participant’s expectancy of resident’s ability to handle workload after completion of residency were significantly associated with perceived success of the integrated training program (B = 1.16, P = 0.023). Perceived strengths of the integrated training program included broadening of expertise, a better preparation of future imaging specialists for hybrid imaging, increased efficiency in training residents, and increased efficiency in multidisciplinary meetings. Perceived weaknesses of the integrated training program included reduced exposure to nuclear medicine, less time for research and innovation, and concerns about its international recognition. Conclusion This study provided insights into the experiences of nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists with the Dutch integrated nuclear medicine and radiology residency program, which may be helpful to improve the program and similar residency programs in other countries.

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“…We also agree that nuclear medicine is much more than hybrid imaging, and we strongly believe in the multidisciplinary nature of our field. Interestingly, even the small numbers mentioned in the paper of Velleman et al (1) show a tendency for residents who chose nuclear medicine to be more academic and interested in research, ensuring the future of the vivid research landscape in nuclear medicine in The Netherlands.…”

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“…The paper of Velleman et al. ( 1 ) provides a snapshot, taken mid-2020, based on a sample of less than one third of Dutch residents, with only 9 respondents from the nuclear medicine subspecialty program. Because of these small numbers, the results have to be interpreted with care.…”

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Houdini’s Illusions: Some Acts Are Not What They Seem to Be

Bennink

Prokop²,

Glaudemans

et al. 2021

J Nucl Med

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Houdini's Illusions: Some Acts Are Not What They Seem to Be TO THE EDITOR: In The Netherlands, the residency training programs for nuclear medicine and radiology were merged in 2015. This integrated residency training program was born from the vision that clinicians should not have to deal with multiple imaging specialists who are modality-based and partially knowledgeable but rather with a single imaging specialist who is knowledgeable with respect to all imaging modalities utilized to answer a clinical question. This change not only facilitated and improved the interpretation of hybrid imaging but also paved the way toward deeper understanding of disease processes, better therapies, and increased costeffectiveness. The nuclear radiologist (nuclear medicine and molecular radiology) is our next-level nuclear medicine physician.The paper of Velleman et al.(1) provides a snapshot, taken mid-2020, based on a sample of less than one third of Dutch residents, with only 9 respondents from the nuclear medicine subspecialty program. Because of these small numbers, the results have to be interpreted with care. Velleman et al. correctly state that only 14 new residents had chosen the nuclear medicine differentiation in April 2020, down from over 50 in 2015. This information prompted an editorial (2) pointing out that "Because of this more than 70% decrease within just 5 y, the question is not 'if' but 'when' nuclear medicine as a strong and innovative discipline will disappear in The Netherlands." These numbers, together with the alarming editorial, underscore the need for further analysis and critical appraisal of the situation.Within the new 5-y Dutch curriculum, residents choose their subspecialty (e.g., nuclear radiology) after completion of 2.5 y of general training in imaging. At that time, their choice is registered. This fact alone reduces the number of registered residents in nuclear medicine by a factor of 2, as half the residents involved in the new curriculum have simply not recorded their choice yet.

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The new integrated nuclear medicine and radiology residency program in the Netherlands: why do residents choose to subspecialize in nuclear medicine and why not?

Cited by 8 publications

References 9 publications

The disappearance act of Nuclear Medicine in the Netherlands: Just a new trick by the great Harry Houdini?

The disappearance act of Nuclear Medicine in the Netherlands: Just a new trick by the great Harry Houdini?

The integrated nuclear medicine and radiology residency program in the Netherlands: strengths and potential areas for improvement according to nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists

Houdini’s Illusions: Some Acts Are Not What They Seem to Be

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