Download BIR launches first online radiation protection for cardiologists course

22 June 2016
The BIR launches first free online
“Radiation Protection for Cardiology” course
The British Institute of Radiology (BIR) has led a collaboration between the British Cardiovascular
Society (BCS) with representation from the Royal College of Physicians’ Cardiology Specialist
Advisory Committee (SAC) to develop a vital training resource for cardiologists.
This online training, developed by the BIR’s Radiation Protection Special Interest Group (SIG), led by Chair,
Peter Hiles, meets the mandatory requirement for all trainee cardiologists to complete a course in Ionising
Radiation [Medical Exposure] Regulations (IR[ME]R), as identified in the Training Curriculum in Cardiology.
The course is available on the e-learning for Healthcare website and can be accessed from a desktop
computer, laptop, tablet or mobile, avoiding the need to take time off work or travel to a training venue.
The course consists of six 30-minute sessions (Principles of Ionising Radiation, Factors Affecting Radiation
Dose, Patient Safety Regulations, Staff Safety Regulations, Alternative Imaging Modalities and Use of Contrast
Agents). The material is focussed on cardiology with practical examples from the cardiac catheter laboratory
but also covers other imaging techniques for which the cardiologist may request procedures such as cardiac CT
and nuclear cardiology or use non-ionising radiation techniques such as MR or ultrasound. The course uses an
interactive e-learning approach with many examples and pictures drawn from the working environment. A
formal assessment is carried out at the end of each module and a certificate issued on completion of the
course.
This project was led by course editor Debbie Peet (Head of Medical Physics, University Hospitals of Leicester
NHS Trust). It was developed with scientists involved in the IR[ME]R courses for cardiologists from Manchester
and Birmingham who already deliver two or three day lecture-based courses on this topic. They worked with
clinicians and radiographers with an interest in cardiac imaging and Health Education England’s e-Learning for
Healthcare.
Dr Mark Gunning , consultant cardiologist, University Hospital of North Midlands, Stoke on Trent, said, “This is
an invaluable and practical resource for all cardiologists who are required to complete this important training
in radiation protection”.
A trainee cardiologist participant said, “I think the modules are far more useful than the IR[ME]R course that I
attended years ago and, overall, they are easy to navigate and learn from. I think the balance of text and
diagrams is good and makes the modules easy to read and understand”.
Dr David Wilson, President of the BIR, said, “The participants in this project have worked incredibly hard to
produce this much-needed resource which will hugely benefit all cardiologists and patients. A big thank you to
Debbie Peet and to e-learning for Healthcare for their support”.
The modules can be accessed, free of charge, on the e-Learning for Health website. NHS employees can log in
using their NHS email address.
You can access the e-learning modules here:
http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/radiation-protection-for-cardiology/
Suggested tweet
BIR publishes free online training in radiation protection for cardiologists http://bit.ly/1ODsA19
@BritishCardioSo #radiationsafety
Image: Dr Sarah Adibi, Joint Head of Education, BIR and Peter Hiles, Chair of BIR Radiation Protection
Special Interest Group
Ends
Notes to Editors
About The British Institute of Radiology

The British Institute of Radiology (BIR) is an independent multidisciplinary organisation, and
a registered charity, whose membership is open to everyone with an interest in radiology
and radiation oncology.

The British Institute of Radiology is the oldest radiological society in the world.

We strive to ensure that the potential of image science and radiation technology to prevent,
detect and combat disease is fully realised. We believe in the importance of research and
education, and we promote collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and understanding.

To help fulfil our aims, we undertake a wide range of activities, including publishing, the
organisation of scientific meetings and conferences and the provision of library and
information services.
Registered Charity No: 215869
For information about this release please contact:
Carole Cross
Communications Manager
48-50 St John Street
London EC1M 4DG
Tel. 020 3668 2224 [email protected] www.bir.org.uk
Mobile 07963 200147 (out of office hours)
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