Study program at the Innsbruck Medical University to obtain the degree of a philosophiae doctor (PhD) Image-guided diagnosis and therapy (IGDT) 1 Program coordinators: a. o. Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. W. Freysinger, Univ ENT Clinic, and o. Univ. Prof. Dr. W. Jaschke, Univ. Clinic of Radiology I Innsbruck Medical University, Austria 1 Motivation: Digital imaging has had a huge impact in medicine, and the current state-of-the-art imaging is rapidly changing the contemporary practice of medicine. More and more, medical treatment exploits the wide variety of medical imaging that hospitals, as the Innsbruck Medical University (i-med), have at their disposal. The strong impact of (analog and digital) imaging technology, has to be met by a Medical University. This demand is reflected in the number of medical students enrolling in specialization 1 Status of May 11, 2010, reflecting changes in personnel and lectures due to the re-organization of the PhDprograms' course programs at the Innsbruck Medical University. -1-
programs to obtain a PhD. Since medical research is largely - and it seems increasingly interdisciplinary today, this PhD program is open to graduates from other universities. The specific aims of the IGDT PhD program are as follows: To provide students with a primary medical education (MD, Dr. med. univ.), i.e. graduates of a medical faculty (university), with extended experience in scientific working methodology, providing a fundament for an eventual future academic career. To allow graduates of a medical faculty (university) (MD, Dr. med. univ.) to reach specialization and to obtain a sound scientific experience in state-of-the art image-based diagnosis and therapy. To provide an opportunity for graduates of a natural sciences and technical faculties (universities) (Magister, Diplomingenieur, Master) to specialize in an applied field and to obtain a complementary post-tertiary academic education in the interdisciplinary medical environment as represented by IGDT. To provide the human resources for strengthening the industrial developments in biomedical engineering and medical technology, especially with focus to the province of Tyrol. To further implement the unification of academic degrees at the Innsbruck Medical University according to the Bologna Convention. The IGDT PhD program will strengthen the international position of the Innsbruck Medical University in the field of digital applications in diagnosis, therapy and imageguidance. -2-
Summary: The PhD program Image-guided diagnosis and therapy (IGDT) links clinical stateof-the-art research with post-graduate education in an interdisciplinary approach, viz. by fostering an interdisciplinary, inter-faculty and inter-university approach. 2. Aim The interdisciplinary PhD program Image-guided diagnosis and therapy is focused to provide its participating academic institutions a means to further expand the image-based diagnostic and therapeutic medicine and to actively participate in the shaping of future developments in this area. 3. Participating Institutions: At the present stage the list of participants is as follows: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Prof. Fritsch i-med Department of Medical Statistics, Computer Sciences, Prof. Ulmer i-med and Health Management Department of Physiology and Medical Physics Prof. Ritsch-Marte i-med Department of Nuclear Medicine Prof. Virgolini i-med Department of Otorhinolaryngology Prof. Riechelmann i-med Department for Diagnostic Radiology Prof. Jaschke i-med Department of Radiotherapy Prof. Lukas i-med Institute of Biomedical Engineering Prof. Seger UMIT ** Institute for Biomedical Image Analysis Prof. Schubert UMIT * ** UMIT: University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology Tyrol / Private Universität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Informatik und Technik Tirol. -3-
4. Structure According to the relevant legal framework the PhD program lasts 6 semesters and covers both basic education and active research facets. The IGDT program is simultaneously targeted for graduates of the medical faculties (universities) and graduates of technical and natural sciences diploma (master) studies (i.e. mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, biologists, engineers, pharmacists etc.). The types of theses to be offered to and the types of lectures to be taken by the candidates should reflect the various individual knowledge starting points. After successfully completing the IGDT program a common base of knowledge, irrespective of the individual primary academic education will be created. A continuation of research in academia and in industry will benefit significantly. 4.1 PhD thesis work During the six semesters, the candidates will have to work under the guidance of an experienced scholar. However, the thesis should demonstrate the candidate's ability to work independently on a complex scientific problem. The subject of the thesis can be chosen among the research areas of the participating scientists that serve as faculty. The writeup of the thesis' research results has to be presented in written form, in paper and in an electronic version. At least one international peer-reviewed paper (accepted) is necessary to apply for the review of the thesis. During the PhD study it is highly encouraged that the candidates participate in international student's exchange programs within the framework of the EU in order to increase mobility, international experience, acquisition of knowledge, expertise and networking with international research groups. -4-
4.2 Accompanying education The study plan requires 30 hours to be taken in the course of the six semesters of the IGDT program. The candidates may chose their own curriculum under the intention to achieve a maximum of knowledge in at least one of the complementary subjects and a sound basic knowledge in all others from the list given below. The general rule is that students with an MD have to select topics focused on subjects of natural sciences (i.e. mathematics, physics, computer science) at an adequate level, and students with a degree in the Sciences have to acquire sufficient knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and surgical techniques at an adequate level. 4.3 Additional In view of the interdisciplinary approach of the IGDT program guests from outside the academic world will be invited to provide the students with feedback to and from industry, sponsors, and science / research funding institutions. The study plan is open to future qualifying supervisors and teachers willing to participate. 5 Study Plan Note: the numbers in parentheses indicate the minimum and maximum number of hours to be chosen, in accordance with the study plan for the PhD doctoral study at the Innsbruck Medical University. A course-hour lasts 45 minutes, and is being given 15 times per semester. Typically, the lectures are being held block-wise, e.g. three days à four hours or equivalently. Exceptions from this study plan have to be approved by the program coordinators. If deemed necessary the program coordinators can chose a third panel member among the active teachers / supervisors of the IGDT program to get an independent qualified opinion. Upon the beginning of the individual student's PhD study the selection of courses has to be approved -5-
by the coordinators. This will ensure one of the planned quality assurance instruments of IGDT, see later. Practically, each of the two coordinators approves the candidates close to his own specialty (Medicine or Natural Sciences) individually; at the earliest time of the winter semester (the start of the program), the two coordinators meet to jointly decide in writing upon the candidates' individual selection of courses for their personal IGDT PhD studies. This will ensure transparency and objectivity of decisions taken within the consortium. Introductory courses: ("Kernfächer 1") Basic courses Clinical applications Advanced courses: ("Kernfächer 2") Specializations Subtotal to be achieved (8, 14) *** General courses: ("Allgemeine Fächer") (4, 8) Oral presentations (seminars, lectures) (6, 8) Research seminars (6,6) Total 30 In the last two semesters of the IGDT program only the literature / scientific and research training seminars, respectively, are to be attended. The following is a detailed synopsis of the curriculum which shows the courses and the durations. *** The courses should be chosen such that the thesis work is ideally supported and that the student's state of knowledge is maximally complemented. -6-
5.1 Introductory courses Type Duration 5.1.1 Basics courses: Anatomy: Anatomy VU 2 Cross-sectional anatomy and radio-anatomy VU 2 Mathematics: Applied statistics and bio-statistics VU 3 Image reconstruction VO 2 Image reconstruction for MDs VO 1 Bio-mathematics for MDs VU 2 Physics: Accelerator physics VO 1 Imaging Physics I & II VO 3 Imaging Physics for MDs VO 1 Nuclear physics VO 1 Radiology: Laser and MR-imaging safety VO 1 Quality management and dosimetry in imaging VO 2 5.1.2 Clinical applications: Computer-assisted planning and simulation in Radiotherapy VU 1 Image-guided procedures in clinical practice UE 1 Image-guided procedures I & II & III, each VU 1 Invasive radiology VO 1 Nuclear medical diagnostics VO 2 Radiology and radio-protection VO 1.5 Radiotherapy with open radio-nuclides for non-mds VO 1 Ultrasound diagnostics VU 1 X-ray image analysis and interpretation VO 1 5.2 Advanced courses 5.2.1 Specializations: Biomedical signal processing VU 2 Functional imaging VO 1 Image processing - basic VO 1 Image processing - advanced VU 2 Knowledge representation and visualization VO 1-7-
Optical methods in medicine VO 1 Molecular imaging, radio-chemistry VO 1 Multi-modal data fusion for surgery VU 1 Operating systems and C/C++ VU 2 Tele-radiology VO 1 5.2.2 Supplementary courses: Hygiene SE 1 General Subject for all PhD Programs. 5.3 Oral presentations (seminars, lectures) [bi-weekly, alternating] Scientific seminar SE 1 Literature seminar SE 1 5.4 Research (group) seminars Research training seminar SE 1 Legend: VO(x), lectures VU(x) lecture with exercise, UE(x) exercises, SE(x) seminar, and PR(x) practical working; x indicates the semester-hours. -8-
6 Quality Assurance Measures IGDT program evaluation: The performance of the IGDT doctoral study program will be evaluated by an independent committee after a period of four years. Internal evaluation: All teaching and research faculty of the IGDT program commit themselves to continuous education and to keep track with the ongoing research in their own speciality. The students will be provided by a suitable means of (electronically) submitting periodical teaching-staff evaluation on base of the actual courses given and the experiences regarding the guidance during the thesis work. These comments will be reviewed and communicated to the individuals concerned. Upon approval of the faculty, these comments will be made public, preferably by using a dedicated web-space with access-control within the e-campus (blackboard or similar) environment. These measures will assure a timely and direct feedback and interaction between both partners of the IGDT program, namely the students and the faculty. Financing: It his strongly recommended to finance the individual doctoral theses by Third- Party-Funding in order to realize a continuous work of the candidate, as is common practice in the Natural Sciences. However, the coordinators are aware of the specific situation within a clinical environment, in which the IGDT is immersed. It is stated explicitly here that it is possible to work within the IGDT program without financial compensation, but this is strongly discouraged. Residency and IGDT: It will be possible for clinicians to work on a part-time level (not less than 50 %) on a PhD thesis and on a residency training simultaneously. The durations of the PhD study and the residency will change indirect proportionally. Financial compensation has to be regulated by the clinic / institution hosting the joint IGDT & residential candidate. Written official evidence concerning the actual percentage of working-hours permitted for the PhD study has to be given to the coordinators. -9-
Occupational integration: In cases where no financial compensation (employment) is provided by the faculty, the arrangements concerning the practical implementation of the thesis work shall be taken on an individual base between the student and the supervisor. 13 (2) lit f UG 2002 has to be followed in compliance with the PhD Curriculum, however. 7 Additional Organizational Measures In order to assure a functional program, the IGDT PhD program lecture-cycle starts annually. The Innsbruck Medial University provides incentives for faculty to have PhD students. Where applicable, lectures and courses will be offered as full-day offered blocks. This will allow a smooth integration in research and other efforts of all involved parties. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in European Exchange and Mobility programs (e.g,. Erasmus) 8 Regulatory affairs Most of the potentially arising issues with respect to teaching, courses and so forth that can be foreseen at the present date will be solved by the coordinators and, if deemed necessary, the additional third member on an informal and efficient basis. This includes managing the consequences arising from repeated negative teaching evaluation reports or similar. For all other issues beyond the competence of the said panel members of the IGDT PhD program the Vice- Rector for Teaching, according to the University Law 2002, will be in charge. As set forth earlier, the students of the IGDT program have to submit their planned individual curriculum to the coordinators. Once approved by the coordinators this plan is a binding individual curriculum. Unresolvable issues arising between faculty and student (supervision, work, GSP, etc.) shall be dealt with by the TAC, the Coordinators and lastly by the Vice-rector of Teaching and Study affairs. -10-
9 The Student s Companion Upon admission to the Innsbruck Medical University and beginning of the PhD program, students will receive a Student's Companion that contains the curriculum, the IGDT PhD Program (this document), and a template for the individual course planning. The Student's Companion is an official document ( Studienbuch ) documenting lectures taken, TACs, publications, the suggestion of thesis reviewers, and the suggestion of the senate of the last exam. Applications for submitting the thesis to review and the final exam have to be approved by the coordinators on base of the Student's Companion. -11-
9 Study Plan - Individual Course Planning: Starting Point: Graduation in Medicine for semesters 1-4 *(exemplary selection in boldface) Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Anatomy Cross-sectional and radio-anatomy Functional imaging Molecular imaging and radio-chemistry Inroductory Basic Applied statistics and bio-statistics (VU 3) Image reconstruction (VO 2) Imaging physics I (VO 1.5) Bio-mathematics for MDs Introductory Basic Imaging physics for MDs (VO 2) Image reconstruction for MDs Imaging physics II (VO 1.5) Accelerator physics Adv. Specialization Image processing - basic Knowledge representation and visualization Optical methods in medicine Tele-radiology Laser and MR-imaging safety Nuclear physics Image-guided procedures III Adv. Specialization Image processing - advanced Biomedical signal processing Multi-modal data fusion for surgery (VU1) General Subjects Introductory Clinical Quality management and dosimetry of imaging (VO 2) Image-guided procedures I Computer-assisted planning and simulation in radiotherapy Radiotherapy with open radionuclides for non-mds. Image-guided procedures in clinical practice (UE 1) Introductory Clinical Image-guided procedures II Nuclear medical diagnostics (VO 2 Radiology and radio-protection (VO 1.5) X-ray image analysis and interpretation Invasive radiology Ultrasound diagnostics Adv. Supplementary Organization of clinical studies Operating systems, C/C++ Hygiene (SE 1) General Subjects Adv. Supplementary Scientific seminar (SE 1) Scientific seminar (SE 1) Scientific seminar (SE 1) Scientific seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) * for semesters 5 and 6 only seminars have to be attended -12-
10 Study Plan - Individual Course Planning: Starting Point: Graduation in Natural Sciences for semester 1-4* (exemplary selection in boldface) Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Anatomy Cross-sectional and radio-anatomy Functional imaging Molecular imaging and radio-chemistry Inroductory Basic Introductory Clinical Applied statistics and bio-statistics (VU 3) Image reconstruction (VO 2) Imaging physics I (VO 1.5) Bio-mathematics for MDs Introductory Basic Imaging physics for MDs (VO 2) Image reconstruction for MDs Imaging physics II (VO 1.5) Accelerator physics Adv. Specialization Image processing - basic Knowledge representation and visualization Optical methods in medicine Tele-radiology Laser and MR-imaging safety Nuclear physics Image-guided procedures III Quality management and dosimetry of imaging (VO 2) Image-guided procedures I Computer-assisted planning and simulation in radiotherapy Radiotherapy with open radionuclides for non-mds. Image-guided procedures in clinical practice (UE 1) Introductory Clinical Image-guided procedures II Nuclear medical diagnostics (VO 2 Radiology and radio-protection (VO 1.5) X-ray image analysis and interpretation Invasive radiology Ultrasound diagnostics Adv. Supplementary Organization of clinical studies Operating systems, C/C++ Hygiene (SE 1) General Subjects Adv. Specialization Adv. Supplementary Image processing - advanced Biomedical signal processing Multi-modal data fusion for surgery (VU1) General Subjects Scientific seminar (SE 1) Scientific seminar (SE 1) Scientific seminar (SE 1) Scientific seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) Research training seminar (SE 1) * for semesters 5 and 6 only seminars have to be attended -13-