Heads of associations and societies in nuclear medicine from around the world met at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna last week in a first-ever group meeting of such experts from all continents to examine the opportunities and challenges they face in their work. On the last day they issued a report containing recommendations endorsed by all participants with the aim of further harmonizing several areas of nuclear medicine, notably training and education.
“It was the first meeting where heads of all major professional organizations in the world came together to talk about global strategy, how nuclear medicine can improve patient health, the challenges currently arising and how we can work in cooperation with the IAEA,” said Professor Andrew Scott, President of the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine, who chaired the meeting.
During the weeklong meeting from 16 to 19 July, participants discussed issues including access to nuclear medicine in healthcare systems, the challenges faced by professionals to stay abreast the constant developments in the field, and the need to encourage and support research studies aimed at covering gaps in this medical science.
They also emphasized the importance of partnership and ongoing dialogue about advancements in nuclear medicine, and working together to establish a broad consensus to increase the impact of nuclear medicine in the management of major health conditions.
