Introduction

Development of an electronic educational material for the analysing of the structures and the bio-chemical processes of living organisms by imaging technology 

INTRODUCTION 

  

Nowadays the imaging diagnostic is one of the most dynamically developing interdisciplinary scientific fields being an integral part of entire spectrum in everyday medical service as well as several fields of education and training for physicists/engineers. Furthermore, it is necessary to update continuously the acquired knowledge’s on these specialities. An online electronic educational material and method has been developed which is continuously updateable and possible to adjust to the nowadays requirements. In addition, hereby the tele-education is also supported on a high level.    

The established educational material consists of three main parts: 

I. Mathematical, physical, technological and informatics aspects of imaging
II. Medical diagnostic imaging – morphologic, functional, interventional –
III. Online available practical images 

The online electronic educational material has been developed by the Semmelweis University (SU), Faculty of Medicine (FoM) Department of Radiology / Nuclear Medical Center and Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Nuclear Techniques. The medical and technical parts of the educational material is discussed separately, furthermore, both topics build upon one another’s knowledge’s. The image-based practical material is online available and evaluable independently of geographical position and a common platform with same image database is provided for both technical and medical users (by tele-radiology technology). Introductions of each field and chapter serve brief instructions and information about the structure as well as give some practical advices for efficient use.    

The created electronic educational material has complex approach and modular structure, being competence based, interdisciplinary and inspires the life-long education as well as consists of the latest innovation of the related fields. The developed methods and the built-in technology is novel itself, and suitable for integration into the superstructure of the university education.  

Nowadays not only in Hungary but also all over Europe a serious deficit exists in medical specialists supply on almost all fields and levels. One of the most affected fields is the diagnostic imaging, which has a very tight cross-sectional service of radiologist and nuclear medicine specialists. The domestic situation is more aggravated, because the radiology is the most preferred „emigration profession”. A similar situation can also be observed in the technical professional supply of diagnostic imaging and therapeutic activities. Behind the curtains, according to the latest surveys and prognosis on the engineering and natural science faculties the medical and biological frontiers of knowledge (like bio-medical engineering, medical physics and development of medical instruments, equipments and tools) are even more and more popular and attract increasing number of enquirers. The lack of professionals in the fields of research/development, everyday clinical services and the essential high-level technical services are very limited comparing to the increasing demands. Considering all these facts, one may conclude that health service including the connecting industry is a notable national economic interest in most of the countries from both social politic and economic aspects.  

The online electronic educational material is recommended for the following target audience and curriculum: 

- Graduate radiology education of Semmelweis University in Hungarian, English and German language, 

- Postgraduate radiology professionals at Semmelweis University, 

- Postgraduate nuclear medicine professionals at Semmelweis University,

- PhD training of Semmelweis University (if imaging fields are included),

- Continuous medical education for specialist doctors at Semmelweis University,

- Postgraduate clinical radiation physicists professionals at Semmelweis University,

- Medical informatics faculty of Semmelweis University, medical diagnostic imaging training (BSc level),

- Medical diagnostic imaging faculty of Semmelweis University (MSc level) (proposed),

- Physicist faculty at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, BSc.

- Physicist faculty at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, MSc. level, specialisation of Medical Physicis,

- Medical Engineering faculty at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Electric Engineering, BSc. and MSc. level 

Furthermore, there are very important target groups such as the industrial research, development and production of medical imaging devices professionals, as well as already the actively working medical physicists, technological and informatics professionals in the fields of radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. The established educational material and the new educational system constitute close connection with the information technology. Practically, a completely electronically controlled and available educational material has been developed with the telecommunication technology based practical training possibility. All of these supports help to adapt to the new era’s challenges as well as to educate and train new professionals, who may satisfy the present and future requirements. In addition, these professionals can integrate the higher level technical and technological knowledge on the healthcare field. The electronic educational material and the related methodology correspond with the renewal of universities and other higher grades of education according to the Bologna Process. The educational material promotes the improvement of education quality and its adjustment to international trends (e.g., establishing dual curriculum faculties /medical physicist, biomedical engineering,...etc./), where the acquired interdisciplinary knowledge base may support the fundament of the long-term maintainable progress of the domestic world standard medical instrument innovation and production technology.

Further consequence of our electronic educational material is to provide support and improvement of the equal opportunity in the covered professional fields, since the fundament of our method is the tele-education. Never the less, a valid option exists for those specialists who have to absent themselves from workplace (maternity benefit, temporary moving disability, etc.) in order to update their knowledge continuously and to maintain their daily routine practical capabilities independently of the geographical position. Tele-education considerable enhances the possibility of self-education supporting the superior qualification and a subsequent professional exam. The disable persons may have almost equivalent chances in the covered fields by the established electronic educational material. The material and method will be compulsorily maintained in the next five years and updated at least once a year.

The experiences and opinions originating from both the education and feedbacks were adopted and built in the II. edition. Some updates, completions and altering has happened in the mathematics and physics chapters. Most of the chapters of “medical graduate” i.e. “For Physicians à Graduate” were substantially renewed and updated. Due to the technology improvement “Practical Material” chapter underwent a complete transformation.

Budapest, June 20, 2018.

Viktor Berczi MD, PhDDSc, Director of Department Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine  Department of Radiology

Kinga Karlinger, MD. PhD, DSc Managing Editor Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine Department of Radiology

Béla Kári, PhD Head of Consortium Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine  Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medical Center

Dávid Légrády, PhD Managing Editor   Budapest University of   Technology and Economics, Faculty of Natural Science, lInstitute of Nuclear Technique

Szabolcs Czifrus, PhD Director of Department Budapest University of   Technology and Economics, Faculty of Natural Science, lInstitute of Nuclear Technique

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