Radiological Technology Education and Training in Thailand Napapong Pongnapang, B.Sc.(RT), Ph.D. Department of Radiological Technology Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University Bangkok, Thailand
Outline Thailand History of Thai RT profession Thai RT manpower Thai RT education system Professional competency requirements Thai RT Curriculum
Thailand at Glance Independent Thai Kingdom was founded in 1238 Thailand was known as Siam Total area = 513,115 km 2 Thailand population = 66,720,153 (2011) Capital = Bangkok (City Pop = 6,355,144 / Metro Pop = 11,971,000) Thailand ethnic content = 75% Thai, 14% Chinese, 3% Malay and Others Primary Language = Thai (with regional dialects) Major Religion = 94.7% Buddhist 4.6% Muslim 0.7% Others
Radiological Technology Profession Thai Radiological Technologist professional started in the year 1965 First RT program was established at Mahidol University with WHO support
Education System of RT in Thailand A 4 years degree course with Bachelor of Sciences in Radiological Technology degree awarded A 2-3 years Diploma in Radiography course (now terminated)
Thai RT Manpower (~4,000) 1,400 1,257 1,200 1,000 967 800 600 602 Government Hospitals Private Hospitals 400 299 207 200 57 0 Licensed RT Non-Licensed RT Practical RT (non-degree)
List of Universities offering professional RT degree programs Bachelor and Master degrees in Radiological Technology Mahidol University in Bangkok Bachelor degree in Radiological Technology Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai Naresuan University in Pitsanuloke Khon Kaen University in Khon Kaen Prince of Songkhla University in Hadyai Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 * Currently stop taking new students due to curriculum revision
Degree offered by RT schools University Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree Mahidol Radiological Technology Radiological Technology Medical Technology Chiang Mai Radiological Technology Medical Radiation Science Biomedical Science Naresuan Radiological Technology Medical Physics Radiological Ramkhamhaeng Technology Radiological Khon Kaen Technology Prince of Songkhla Radiological Technology
Component Structures of Bachelor Degree in RT Program Based on standards set by the RT Professional Committee, Ministry of Pubic Health, Kingdom of Thailand (Registration Body) The Committee requires Bachelor degree level graduate to be eligible to take national professional license exam Three fields of RT are required in the curriculum including; diagnostic radiography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine
National Licensing Exam Consists of two parts Professional RT Physics and Dosimetry Anatomy and Pathology for RT Radiation Protection Radiation Biology Techniques in DX, RT and NM Law and Professional Ethics
Competencies required to be registered as licensed RT The RT professional committee issued RT professional competency requirements for those who take the national license exam This is regulated by law and published in the Royal gazette This requirements are used by educators to ensure the student s competency before taking the exam
List of basic competencies Core knowledge in basic and professional sciences in Radiological Technology Applied knowledge in professional subjects Professional skills in three major fields of radiological technology
Professional skills required Diagnostic radiology Radiation therapy Nuclear medicine
Practical skills Diagnostic Ability to perform all plain film exams Ability to perform all fluoroscopic exams Ability to perform CT brain/trauma radiology CT, U/S, Mammogram, MRI additional training required.
Professional skills :Radiation Ability to deliver radiation treatment using Co-60 machine Ability to deliver radiation treatment using LINAC in all basic treatments Ability to perform simulation procedures Advanced treatment such as IMRT, IGRT additional training required Therapy
Professional skills: Nuclear Ability to perform standard NM imaging exam using gamma camera and SPECT Ability to perform basic quantitative analysis in NM PET, PET-CT additional training required Medicine
Curriculum Design Curriculum in most programs are designed to fit the professional competency required by the Ministry of Public Health However, each school can design the extra content that fit their need or their expertise
RT Curriculum Mahidol University Chiang Mai University
Challenge Thai RT professional committee is now looking at how to set up continuing education credit for renewal of license and also advanced licensing for specialized areas.
What do we hope for the future Thai RT profession? International benchmarked RT as radiography practitioners Sub-specialty practice with qualifications accepted by the Government body Professional with research potentials Strong collaboration with international counterparts
Thank you