Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy (Apr 2024)
CONTINUING EDUCATION IN RADIOPHARMACY IN LATIN AMERICA
Abstract
Introduction/Justification: Radiopharmacy is an area with increasing development and technological complexity. According to WHO´s official documents (WHO Annex 2,3) the production of radiopharmaceuticals requires the supervision of qualified personnel with postgraduate training and appropriate experience in their function. Although most countries in Latin America have adopted these documents in their legislation the real situation is highly heterogeneous and specific qualification in Radiopharmacy is not clearly specified in the national regulations. Furthermore, the adequate educational offer is very restricted and heterogeneous in all Latin American countries. Objectives: With the objective to prepare the future generations of Radiopharmacists according to international and national regulations we have developed a series of options for postgraduate and continuing education in the field. Materials and Methods: N/A. Results: The Diploma of Specialization in Radiopharmacy offers a postgraduate program for specialization in Radiopharmacy. This diploma integrates comprehensive theoretical knowledge with the necessary practical experience to prepare professionals for specialized roles in this field. Admission to the program requires candidates to hold a university degree, with a minimum duration of four years, in Pharmacy, Chemistry, or Biochemistry, obtained from institutions in Uruguay or other countries. Applications from candidates with alternative qualifications are reviewed by a dedicated admission committee, and additional courses may be prescribed to supplement their foundational knowledge. The curriculum comprises both theoretical and practical components, totaling approximately 300 hours of instruction. The courses can be partially performed virtually, thus facilitating the participation of foreign students. However, practical laboratory sessions and supervised practice are required to be completed in Uruguay, typically spanning a duration of 3-4 months. Additionally, partial validation of prior studies may be considered, allowing eligible students to receive credit for relevant coursework completed elsewhere. Besides the postgraduate program we also offer the possibility of taking continuous education courses both with basic (physics of radiation, chemistry of radiopharmaceuticals, etc) and applied topics (legislation, clinical applications, et). We also offer customized courses for institutions or private radiopharmaceutical firms. Up to the moment we have more than 10 graduates, 40% coming from Colombia, Costa Rica or Bolivia and 7 students, 6 of which are from different countries in Latinamerica. Our continuing education courses have been taken by around 100 professionals from Chile, Costa Rica, México, Bolivia, Ecuador, Perú, Costa Rica, Panamá, República Dominicana, etc. Conclusão: Radiopharmacy is a flourishing specialty of increasing complexity that requires solid theoretical knowledge and specialized practical skills. The Radiochemistry Area in the public University of Uruguay is fostering the development and generational replacement in our continent with the objective to improve the quality of the Radiopharmaceuticals received by our population. Acknowledgments: Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología molecular, CUDIM and Centro de Medicina Nuclear e Imagenología Molecular del Hospital de Clínicas.
