Abstract for presentation at 38th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine 2008

Effective Implementation of Strategies for CPD by RAINS

  • Mr Matthew Ayers, Mid North Coast Diagnostic Imaging, Australia
  • Dr Geoffrey Currie, Charles Sturt University, Australia
  • Mr Pete Tually, Imaging the South, Australia
  • Mr Michael Crook, Toowoomba Nuclear Imaging, Australia
  • Ms Narelle Harrison, Central Gippsland Health Service, Australia
  • Ms Carla Robertson, Griffith Nuclear Medicine, Australia
  • Mr Russell Pearce, Gosford Nuclear Medicine, Australia
  • Mr David Grimmond, ANZSNM, Australia

    • The Rural Alliance In Nuclear Scintigraphy (RAINS) was conceived at the May 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting of the ANZSNM in direct response to concerns regarding CPD opportunities in rural Australia and was formally launched on 1st July 2007. Fee free membership was made available to rural Nuclear Medicine professionals (ordinary members) and others confronted by professional isolation (associate members).

    During the period 1 July to 31 December, 2007, RAINS offered members the opportunity to participate in a number of RAINS based CPD activities.

    For the 65.2% of technologists who did participate in CPD activities, the mean CPD point accrual was 7.4 with a range of 2 to 21 and a median of 7. ANZSNM members accrued a mean of 7.7 points while those without ANZSNM membership only accrued a mean of 5.5 points (P = 0.205). The mean points accrued by males was 7.7 compared to 7.2 for females (P = 0.674). The mean CPD points was highest for New South Wales (8.6) followed by Queensland (7.5), Western Australia (6.0), Victoria (5.3) and Australian Capital Territory (4.9) (P = 0.092). No statistically significant difference was noted in the mean CPD points accrued between the public (6.0) and private (7.1) sectors (P = 0.498).

    A proactive approach to equity issues in CPD has provided a cost effective solution. The initial six months of operation for RAINS has provided a sound platform from which to launch bilateral strategies to meet the unique needs of both ordinary and associate members.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd