Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy - Clinical Skills

To be familiar with the following topics: methods of measuring diagnostic performance; principles of radiobiology; principles of radiation protection for patients and operators; indications and contraindications for diagnostic imaging tests also in terms of cost-effectiveness for diagnostic and screening use; interventional radiology; interpretation of reports and communication to patients. To understand how the disease prevalence and gravity and, therefore, the selection of the requesting physician, influence the reliability of radiological and medical-nuclear investigations. To know the principles governing the risk-benefit ratio in the use of ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. To know the principles of image generation and to be able to explain them to the patient (radiographic and radioscopic techniques, computed tomography, ultrasound techniques, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, planar and tomographic scintigraphy, positron-emission tomography). To know the general outlines of indications and contraindications for diagnostic imaging tests, contrast agents and radiopharmaceuticals to be able to define the sequential and synergic use of imaging techniques in major clinical condition. To know principles and application modes of the main radiotherapy techniques; hints of systematic radiotherapy with particular reference to oncological pathologies with greater epidemiological relevance (breast, prostate, lung cancers, etc.).

To be able, by evaluating one or more images of an investigation, to understand by which technique they were obtained and to which body region they refer by recognizing its anatomical elements, to describe any pathological findings, and to provide a diagnostic orientation. To be able to indicate which investigations are most suitable for the solution of diagnostic questions related to the main clinical conditions both in emergency and elective situations and which screening programs using imaging techniques are supported by sufficient levels of evidence. To be able to communicate to patients and family members the technical principles of imaging investigations and the content of reports. To be able to describe to patients and family members the technical principles and indications of major radiation therapy procedures.