Multimodality imaging practices and hybrid imaging systems are now common place in Australia. Many people in the medical imaging profession foresee the convergence of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine in the future. Although controversial, it makes financial sense for multimodality practices to employ staff members who are trained in multiple areas – NM, US, BMD, MRI and CT.

Nuclear Medicine Scientists (NMS) are already performing ultrasound, BMD, MRI and using SPECT/CT and PET/CT systems to perform CT for localisation and attenuation correction. Some departments are choosing the option of incorporating a 16-slice or even 64-slice CT in their hybrid cameras. This provides the opportunity to acquire diagnostic quality CT images in conjunction with the NM images. In the recent ANZSNMT SIG Survey, 86% of respondents indicated extended CT as the most popular advanced skill set they would like to achieve.

Currently many undergraduate programs offer significant training in diagnostic CT and many experienced NMS have completed training courses to safely operate CT. As a profession, NMS may benefit by standardising requirements, skills and licensing for the safe use of diagnostic CT when combined in a hybrid system. With National registration looming we need to look to the future and identify areas of role expansion and extension for NMS.