EMERALD PROJECT
The Consortium of project EMERALD, Florence meeting 1997
Project objectives
The last decade has seen great strides towards the emergence of professional training in Medical Physics and Medical Engineering throughout the world. The developments have, however, been patchy and of variable quality. In an attempt to support these initiatives more widely, the Leonardo EU project for European Medical Radiation Learning Development (EMERALD), a Consortium of Universities and Hospitals from the UK, Sweden, Italy and Portugal, has developed three training modules in medical radiation physics (X-ray Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy). Each Training Module encompasses the physics and engineering of the topic and consists of a Workbook with tasks, leading to certain competencies and a CD-ROM image database (IDB). The competencies are based on the UK Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) Training scheme and on the recommendations of the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP). The training modules are for the training of young graduates and post-graduate students in medical physics or related disciplines, their tutors, as well as other Hospital employees applying radiation to medicine.
Project objectives
The last decade has seen great strides towards the emergence of professional training in Medical Physics and Medical Engineering throughout the world. The developments have, however, been patchy and of variable quality. In an attempt to support these initiatives more widely, the Leonardo EU project for European Medical Radiation Learning Development (EMERALD), a Consortium of Universities and Hospitals from the UK, Sweden, Italy and Portugal, has developed three training modules in medical radiation physics (X-ray Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy). Each Training Module encompasses the physics and engineering of the topic and consists of a Workbook with tasks, leading to certain competencies and a CD-ROM image database (IDB). The competencies are based on the UK Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) Training scheme and on the recommendations of the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP). The training modules are for the training of young graduates and post-graduate students in medical physics or related disciplines, their tutors, as well as other Hospital employees applying radiation to medicine.
Project Deliverables
The Consortium has developed the three Training modules with a common length of 4 months (80 days) each. During this time the trainee will have to acquire the most necessary professional skills. This part of the training was called "condensed" and can be performed in all countries, where training conditions are set up. The trainee can spend a further period (typically 2 months for each module) in his/her own country where he/she can additionally study the local Regulations and professional requirements.
The project was developed in three parallel streams - one for each module:
The Training Materials - Workbooks, CD-ROMs and Guide are described in the following web pages.
The Consortium has developed the three Training modules with a common length of 4 months (80 days) each. During this time the trainee will have to acquire the most necessary professional skills. This part of the training was called "condensed" and can be performed in all countries, where training conditions are set up. The trainee can spend a further period (typically 2 months for each module) in his/her own country where he/she can additionally study the local Regulations and professional requirements.
The project was developed in three parallel streams - one for each module:
- 1. Physics of X-ray Diagnostic Radiology - developed mainly by the UK partners
- 2. Physics of Nuclear Medicine - developed mainly by the Swedish partners
- 3. Physics of Radiotherapy - developed mainly by the Italian and Portuguese partners and Lund Univ. Hospital.
The Training Materials - Workbooks, CD-ROMs and Guide are described in the following web pages.
Project Phases
Project EMERALD was initiated during 1995 and has passed through the following key phases:
The Training Materials - Workbooks, CD-ROMs and Guide are described in the following web pages.
Project EMERALD was initiated during 1995 and has passed through the following key phases:
- 1. Assessment of the status and needs of Medical Radiation Physics Training
- 2. Development of the structure of the three common training modules
- 3. Development of detailed syllabi and timetables for the three training modules
- 4. Development of training materials - Workbooks with training tasks and Course (Teachers') Guide
- 5. Refereeing and Editing of the modules (internally and with external referees)
- 6. Practical test of the training modules (on a national and international basis)
- 7. Organising an European Conference on Medical Radiation Physics Training for assessment of results
- 8. Development of Database of digital images on CD-ROM (in 3 volumes - one for each module)
- 9. Development of a new enlarged project - EMERALD II
The Training Materials - Workbooks, CD-ROMs and Guide are described in the following web pages.
The New Project
EMERALD II
For the purposes of further development and dissemination a new project EMERALD - Internet Issue (EMERALD II) was prepared with an enlarged Consortium including the old partners and new partners from France, Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. During this next phase of the EMERALD a sequence of Seminars "Train-the-Trainer" has been organised. Also an interactive Training Multimedia will be developed (Internet distributable) for the purposes of distance learning.
The Consortium of project EMERALD II, Florence meeting 1999