- Australia -

Lead Country Coordinator Progress Reports

Projects

1. Distance-Assisted Training for Nuclear Medicine Technicians (RAS/6/029)

2. Strengthening Medical Physics through Education and Training (RAS/6/038)

3. Establishment of a Benchmark for Assessing the Radiological Impact of Nuclear Power Activities on the Marine Environment in the Asia-Pacific region (RAS/7/016)

4. Intensification of Productivity in Coal, Minerals and Petrochemical Industries using Nucleonic Analysis Systems (NAS) and Radiotracers (RAS/8/107)

5. Sustainability of Regional Radiation Protection Infrastructure (RAS/9/042)

Distance-Assisted Training (DAT) for Nuclear Medicine Technicians (RAS/6/029)

• Approved 1997 for 4 years, extended to 2007-08• PLCC: Professor Brian Hutton• 16 participating Member States:

AUL INS MON SIN

BGD JPN MYA SRL

CPR ROK PAK THA

IND MAL PHI VIE

Objectives• To improve the quality of nuclear medicine services in RCA

countries by raising the standard of basic training for technicians.

• The preparation of the teaching modules will provide the basis for sustainability of the project information base after the completion of the project.

• The structured network encompassing country coordinator/ specific hospital/ supervisor/ student will provide a human resource support mechanism that contributes toward sustainability.

• The MSs will implement self-sustainable DAT Programs after completion of the delivery of Agency support under this project.

Background

• RAS/6/029 first year of approval was 1997 and it was anticipated that the project would be completed in 4 years.

• Project was extended to the 2007/2008 TC Programming Cycle to enable the preparation of additional training modules on PET/CT and SPECT/CT and development of a website for on-line delivery and management (DATOL).

• DAT material has been provided to 8 MSs (BGD, CPR, MAL, MYA, PAK, PHI, SIN, THA) and formally introduced for use in Latin America, Eastern Europe and North Africa.

• DAT material will continue to be provided to the other MSs subject to confirmation of the required infrastructure they have established to conduct the training program.

2008 Activities• Preparation and development of additional training modules

on PET/CT and SPECT/CT: Technical Writer’s Meeting: 3-5 March, Vienna, 7 experts from UK and

AUL Modules peer-reviewed by international panel at the Editorial Advisory

Meeting on New Teaching Materials of DAT Program: 8-9 September, Vienna, 10 experts from 5 MSs

• RIAP (Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific) of Sydney Uni, in collaboration with University College London (UCL), are developing website for the DAT Program (DATOL) – Heather Patterson (RIAP) and Brian Hutton (UCL).

• Dr Patterson attended EANM’08 (European Association of Nuclear Medicine) in Munich, 11-15 October, to present the DAT program and seek feedback from specialists in nuclear medicine training.

2008 Achievements

• Development of DAT Part 2 training materials by technical writers in UK/ AUL.

• Materials have been edited for final distribution and implementation of web delivery (DATOL).

• Modules have been refined and now available for use by Member States.

Planned Activities for 2009

• Further implementation of web delivery.• Final meeting of RAS/6/029:

RTC to ‘Train the Trainer’ – 24-27 March, SIN Introduce the new modules to national DAT coordinators Provide training in use of DAT website for program

delivery and monitoring student progress Included representatives from Latin America, Africa and

Eastern Europe• Following RTC, the new modules and method of

delivery will be evaluated in several countries.• DATOL will continue under the direction of the

Nuclear Medicine Section, Division of Human Health, and be coordinated through RIAP.

Constraints

• The final testing of the developed materials lies outside the current project. • Maintenance and currency of modules:

Monitoring of DAT use and ‘de-bugging’ of new web facility Improvements needed based on user feedbackOngoing updates as technology, protocols and regulations changeSupport for new (and current) users.

Comments and Questions

Strengthening Medical Physics through Education and Training (RAS/6/038)

• Initiated 2003, objectives revised for 2005-06• PLCC: Professor John Drew• 16 participating Member States:

AUL INS MON SIN

BGD JPN MYA SRL

CPR ROK PAK THA

IND MAL PHI VIE

Objectives

• To improve capability and capacity in medical physics in the region through the establishment of regional approaches on education and training of medical physicists.

• To improve and upgrade safe operating practices and technical standards in the region through the establishment of a common quality assurance/ quality control (QA/QC) program.

Background

• Original approval of this project was in 2003.

• Project had limited success, attributed to the objectives being too broad and several other constraints. The objectives were revised for implementation in 2005/06.

• Project now focuses on the development of clinical training programs for Medical Physicists in Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Nuclear Medicine.

• The training modules will enable trainee Medical Physicists to gain the competencies required to work unsupervised.

• Guidelines on the use of the Training Modules, and the assistance of experts, will be provided to the MSs.

• Project is anticipated to be completed by 2012.

2008 Activities

• NPC Meeting to review the Status of Medical Physics in the Region:

26-28 May, Dhaka, BGD, 18 participants

Review of clinical training material produced to date

Status report of pilot program

Member States to incorporate the material into their own programs

2008 Activities (cont.)Pilot program for testing the clinical training modules for radiation oncology medical physics:

Two Member States participating – THA, PHI:

- Expert mission 5-9 August to THA to review status of pilot program there.

- Expert mission 30 September-4 October to PHI to provide support for a ‘National Training Program on Clinical Training of Radiation Oncology Medical Physics’ – lectures and advice on the establishment and running of the program.

The pilot programs are nationally based with each site having a national coordinator. An external coordinator, Prof Brian Thomas, oversees the operation of each national program and provides advice.

2008 Activities (cont.)

Development of clinical training modules for diagnostic radiology medical physics:

Expert mission to assist in drafting clinical guidelines for training of diagnostic radiology medical physicists, 7-11 July, ROK.

Regional Training Course on ‘Medical Physics in Diagnostic Radiology’, 25-29 November, PHI, 24 participants.

Five home-based contracts to assist in creating the modules (UK, AUL x 2, MAL, USA).

2008 Activities (cont.)

Other activities in diagnostic radiology medical physics:

Trial of comprehensive clinical audit in diagnostic radiology was carried out in MAL, 11-15 August. Two experts from AUL, one from USA.

2008 Achievements• The radiation oncology clinical training process is described by 7 complementary

documents which have been combined for publication.

• Substantial progress in the development of clinical training modules for diagnostic radiology medical physics, following the path of the radiation oncology medical physics program.

• Interest from IND, MAL, PAK and JPN to join the Nuclear Medical Physics pilot program for testing the clinical training modules.

• The work of RAS6038 in the development of clinical training material has attracted significant interest from other regions. Final documentation will be submitted to the new IAEA Interregional project INT6054 on education in medical physics.

Planned Activities for 2009• RTC in Nuclear Medicine QA for Medical Physicists,

18–22 February, BGD.• Expert mission to support THA clinical training and

to VIE to determine status of medical physics education/ future needs, 28 February-11 March.

• Expert mission to assist in training in TRS430 (Commissioning and Quality Assurance of Computerized Planning Systems for Radiation Treatment of Cancer), 22-24 May, PHI.

• ESG Meeting to draft clinical guidelines for Nuclear Medicine, 25-29 May, Vienna.

Planned Activities for 2009 (cont.)

• Regional meeting for national trainers to initiate trialling of the diagnostic radiology medical physics speciality clinical training program, 16-20 November, MAL.

• Expert Steering Group (Nuclear Medicine) meeting to review modules and organise trialling, 7-11 December, PHI.

• Additional activities associated with clinical training trials in radiation oncology medical physics if new trial sites are implemented (IND, possibly MAL or PAK).

Summary of Future Activities RAS/6/038• Continuation in pilot implementation of clinical training in

radiation oncology.

• Continuation of development of clinical training guide in diagnostic radiology.

• Development of clinical training guide for material on nuclear medicine.

• Establishment of pilot test sites and training material for physicists specialising in diagnostic radiology and in nuclear medicine.

• Review of the pilot sites and training material for all three specialisations.

Constraints

• MS Government support and commitment is necessary to train Medical Physicists using the clinical training modules.

• There is a wide variation in the current status of training of Medical Physicists in the MSs and each MS should use the training material to suit local conditions .

Comments and Questions

Establishment of a Benchmark for Assessing the Radiological Impact of

Nuclear Power Activities on the Marine Environment in the Asia-Pacific region

(RAS/7/016)

• New 2007, estimated completion 2010• PLCC: Mr Ron Szymczak• 13 participating Member States

AUL INS MYA THA

BGD ROK PAK SIN

CPR MAL PHI VIE

IND

Objectives• To assist MSs to develop and strengthen coordinated regional marine

radioactivity monitoring programs.• To refine assessments of risks involved in eating seafood by establishing

dose responses and transfer factors specific to the marine biota found in the region.

• To update and maintain the regional database as an ongoing repository for new data generated from monitoring programs, and to enhance the utility of this regional resource for analysing trends and understanding the fate and behaviour of key radionuclides in the marine environment.

• To establish a documented quality management system (QMS) for regional marine radioactivity monitoring programs and for data generated by MSs.

2008 Activities

• RTC on Establishment of Transfer Factors and Dose Assessment for Marine Organisms from Contaminants Released from Nuclear Activities, 18-29 February, ROK, 24 participants.

• RTC on Application of Agreed Nuclear Techniques to Measurement of Nuclear Contaminants in Marine Systems, 27 May - 6 June, IND, 23 participants.

2008 Achievements

• Focus on radioecology and transfer factors (rather than both radioecology and radiochemistry) was more efficient in technology transfer and training to participants.

• National Project teams and End-users have been identified by all participating MSs.

• Most participating MSs have undertaken extensive marine sampling and analysis programs as part of the project.

• Several MSs established accredited Quality Management Systems (QMS) at Institutional, National and International level and/or participated in QA/QC activities.

Planned Activities for 2009

• Mid-Term Progress Review Meeting, 20-24 April, IND.

• RTC on ‘Application of Nuclear & Stable Isotope Tracers to Determine the Fate & Behaviour of Nuclear Contaminants in Marine Systems’, 11-22 May, INS.

• RTC on ‘Establishment of Dose Response and Risk Assessment for Marine Organisms from Contaminants Released from Nuclear Activities’, 20-31 July, Monaco.

Planned Activities for 2009

• TM on ‘Implementation of Total Quality Management System Guidelines for Monitoring the Impacts of Nuclear Activities in the Marine Environment’, 7-11 September, VIE.

• The project will provide support to the development of QMS in MSs that do not already have such systems in place through the development of project-specific Quality Management System documentation.

Constraints

• Shortage of human resources, technical and professional, in some MSs.

• Under-developed experimental and analytical facilities in some MSs.

• PHI and THA seeking national financial support for work programs.

Comments and Questions

Intensification of Productivity in Coal, Minerals and Petrochemical Industries

using Nucleonic Analysis Systems (NAS) and Radiotracers (RAS/8/107)

• New 2007, estimated duration 2 years• PLCC: Dr Jacek Charbucinski• 14 participating Member States:

AUL INS NZL SRI

BGD ROK PAK THA

CPR MON PHI VIE

IND MYA

Objectives

• Overall objective of the project is to advance the region's capability to apply and routinely use nuclear techniques to solve complex problems in the coal, minerals, and oil and gas industries.

• The specific objectives are: To promote and transfer NAS technology for the coal and minerals

industries through regional demonstrations, training and related activities.

To likewise promote and transfer radiotracer and sealed source techniques for investigation of industrial multiphase systems.

Improvement of productivity and reduced operational risk in key industries such as petroleum, petrochemicals, oil/ gas and minerals.

2008 Activities

• REMM (Regional Executive Management Meeting) on Benefits of Industrial Applications of NAS in Exploration and Mining, 7-10 April, VIE, 20 participants.

• Mid-Term Progress Review Meeting, 12-16 May, ROK, 15 participants.

• RTC on Off-Belt Analysis of Metalliferous Ores and Cement Quality by NAS, 13-17 October, CPR, 16 participants.

• RTC on Validation of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Models of Multiphase Systems Using Radiotracers, 1-4 December, IND, 11 participants.

2008 Achievements• Industrial application (oil/gas and coal exploration, mineral resources, water

resource development) of Nucleonic Analysis Systems (NAS) in BGD, IND, PAK, SRL, THA.

• Development of: Data logging software for -scanning (THA) Pilot dynamic flow distribution system simulating flow patterns encountered in diverse

industries (ROK) Single radioactive particle tracking technique and 32-channel data acquisition system (IND) Tomography for scanning for visualisation of scale deposits in geothermal and

petrochemical pipes (INS)

• Success in securing IAEA support to demonstrate and implement NAS technology for mineral resources exploration/ exploitation (PAK), and providing a safer working environment for tracer injection work (SRL).

• Invitation to PLCC to deliver a presentation on ‘A Perspective on Technology Transfer into Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Countries: Lessons Learnt from a Project on Nuclear Technology for Mineral and Exploration Industry’, at the International Symposium – ‘Peaceful Application of Nuclear Technologies in the GCC Countries’, 3-5 November, Saudi Arabia.

• Outcomes of work being disseminated through journal publications and at international conferences.

• Success in gaining financial and equipment support from National governments – CPR, VIE.

• Success in delivering to industry across all MSs assures long term sustainability of NAS.

2008 Achievements (cont.)

Constraints

• Acute shortage of manpower and availability of hardware in some MSs.

• Limited availability of tracers and suitable radiation sources in one MS.

• In some cases nuclear techniques avoided for industrial problem solving due to perceived radiation safety problems.

• Shortage of mutual scientific and technical visits between project teams of RCA MSs.

Recommendations• Assistance from Agency to streamline the movement of sources and

equipment between the participating MS countries. Transboundary issues?

• Radiation safety training where needed. MSs or Agency?

• Examine level of support and frequency of expert missions. MS to request further support if necessary.

• Examine notion of mutual scientific and technical visits between project teams of RCA Member States – TCDC?

Comments and Questions

Sustainability of Regional Radiation Protection Infrastructure (RAS/9/042)

• New 2007, estimated completion 2010

• PLCC: David Woods, transferred in January 2009 to Japan (Dr Kazuo Sakai) for 2009-10

• 16 participating Member States:

AUL INS MYA SIN

BGD JPN NZL SRI

CPR MAL PAK THA

IND MON PHI VIE

Objectives

• To assist MSs to move to self-sustainability and regional self-reliance in maintaining an adequate radiation protection infrastructure.

• To maintain safe practices, reduction of radiation exposures and minimisation of the occurrences of radiation related accidents.

2008 Activities

• Meeting of Focal Group of Interventional Cardiologists in Radiation Protection, 24-26 June, THA, 13 experts.

• TM of the RCA Regulators Forum on Regional Priority Issues and Solutions, 5-7 August, PHI, 16 participants.

• First Workshop of the Asia Region ALARA Network (ARAN), Improving Radiation Protection in Industrial Radiography, 5-7 November, JPN, 32 participants.

• Regional Meeting for Emergency Management Decision Makers, 17-19 November, IND, 19 participants.

2008 AchievementsAsian Network of Cardiologists in Radiation Protection

• Meeting of Focal Group of Interventional Cardiologists in Radiation Protection updated the progress made on optimising doses to patients and minimising the dose to the cardiologists and their staff.

• Network launched newsletter in 2007; three issues in 2008.

• Extension of network activities moving towards inter-regional cooperation with links to Latin America, the USA and Europe.

• Radiation protection sessions were organised at the ‘4th Conference of the Asian Interventional Cardiovascular Therapeutics’ (June, THA), and a plenary lecture on radiation protection at the ‘1st Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society’ meeting (November, SIN).

2008 Achievements (cont.)RCA Regulator’s Forum in Radiation Protection

• First technical meeting of the Regulator’s Forum with the theme, ‘Regional Priority Issues and Solutions’, held in PHI in August:

Ratified the Forum’s structure, terms of reference, and operational mechanisms.

Information structure developed for RaSaReN (Radiation Safety Regulators’ Network) web platform.

RCA Regulator’s Forum Action Plan developed for 08-10. Identified priority issues for radiation protection regulators in the

region.

• Forum should be self-sustaining beyond 2010.

2008 Achievements (cont.)Asia Region ALARA Network (ARAN)

• 1st Workshop of the Asia Region ALARA Network (ARAN), Improving Radiation Protection in Industrial Radiography, held in JPN in November:

Opportunity for participants to bench mark the radiation protection status in industrial radiography practice.

Consensus on need for improving the safety culture in the industrial radiography sector.

Developed set of recommendations on improving radiation protection in industrial radiography in the region.

ARAN self-funding mechanisms should be achieved through a combination of Industry, Professional Association and Government funding.

2008 Achievements (cont.)Asia Region Emergency Management Decision Makers Network

• Regional Meeting for Emergency Management Decision Makers in IND in November led to the formation of:

IAEA RCA ‘Forum for enhanced decision making for radiation emergency management’.

- Forum objective - “To enhance the nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response system of MSs.”

- Membership, terms of reference and activities for the Forum were proposed.

- Steering Committee consists of one member from each MS at the meeting. Australia nominated as SC Chair for the first year.

- Bangladesh to host a secure web page for the Forum members to communicate and share information and experience.

• Mid-term Progress Review Meeting, 9-13 February, PHI.

• RTC on Field Exercises and Decision-making Processes for Emergency Management Decision-makers, 7-11 September, AUL.

• 2nd ARAN Workshop on Radiation Protection in NORM-producing Industries, 12-16 October, CPR.

• Regional Seminar of Radiation Protection Regulators on Sharing Best Practices in Managing Disused Sources and Networking, 26-30 October, INS.

Planned Activities for 2009

Constraints• ARAN Workshop:

Communication difficulties in planning, implementation and participation of the first workshop.

Optimal balance between reporting on individual national situations and producing recommendations on improving radiation protection in industrial radiography in the region was not achieved – to be addressed at next workshop.

• The Emergency Response component had difficulties with the late issue by the hosts of letters supporting visa applications for those attending the Regional Meeting.

Comments and Questions

Thank You