|
If you're looking for the most current and comprehensive review book for nuclear medicine technology, then look no further than the recently released 4th Edition of the very popular Steves' Review of Nuclear Medicine Technology. With this edition, Norman Bolus, MPH, CNMT, and Amy Byrd Brady, BS, CNMT, from the University of Alamaba (UAB) in Birmingham, Steves's successors, have updated and expanded the textbook from the previous editions.
The purpose of this textbook is to assist those preparing for certification examinations and to provide a quick review for nuclear medicine technology professionals. It is not intended to be a primary textbook for students or for those seeking a more exhaustive view on any specific area of study in nuclear medicine technology. That said, let us explore the textbook's contents for those interested in potentially acquiring a copy for their personal library.
About the authors
In the preface for the 4th Edition, Norman Bolus pays tribute to Ann Steves, MS, CNMT, FSNMTS, and to the late Michael A. Thompson, who worked with Steves at the UAB School of Health Professions in the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program and who served as a NMT instructor. A portion of each book sold will go to a Memorial Scholarship Fund to students in the UAB NMT program. Kudos to Norman for keeping Steves' name associated with this textbook. Norman also kept with the tradition of utilizing many experts to update the individual chapters and expanded the textbook to meet the needs of an evolving profession. This edition includes a review on the basics computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) and a primer on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This brings it in line with the 4th edition of the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) Curriculum Guide.
Contents
The review book is comprised of three primary parts. Part I is entitled "Review of Nuclear Medicine Technology," Part II is entitled "Advanced information and Post Primary Certification Primers," and Part III is entitled "Preparation For Primary Certification Examination." Prefaces from all of the editions and appendices are included as well. The 4th Edition of Steves' Review Of Nuclear Medicine Technology follows the historic expansion of this book with each new edition.
Part I
Part I includes a list of 19 chapters, expanding from 16 in the previous edition. The topics covered include radiation protection and safety, patient care, radiopharmaceuticals, interventional drugs, math and physics, instrumentation, quality control, PET and CT operating principles, introductory research methods, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, respiratory system, skeletal system, infection/inflammation imaging, nuclear oncology, hematopoietic system and radionuclide therapy. The chapters include brief introductions and selected information on the individual topics. They also include easy-reading tables, figures, formulae and charts. The information is organized in a concise manner to allow the reader to recall information that they have had in dedicated courses or lectures during their training. At the end of every chapter is a list of references and further readings. This provides the reader an opportunity to search the sources for a more detailed description of the summarized material. Images and pictures included in the review book are of high quality and add to the overall content of the chapters. As they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words," and images in this book are very informative.
The primary changes from the 3rd Edition in Part I is the addition of PET, CT, health informatics and research methods. PET and CT operating principles are now a staple of the nuclear medicine technology profession due to a proliferation of both imaging tests. CT is currently being utilized in conjunction with both PET and SPECT in the research and clinical setting. The NMTCB and ARRT included basic CT questions on their respective certification examinations in 2011. I expect this area of content to expand in future editions.
Part II
Part II is a completely new addition of the review book. The topics included in this section are advanced nuclear cardiology, advanced PET imaging and an MRI primer. The addition of this section is value added. These chapters may have been overly ambitious endeavor on the part of the authors, considering that they limit one chapter on each topic in the book. Information in these chapters can be helpful but readers should be aware that there are better study guides available from the same publisher. The SNMTS currently has two dedicated review books for both PET and nuclear cardiology. The PET Study Guide and Nuclear Cardiology Technology Study Guide are recommended for those looking to prepare for the advance specialty certification examinations. They can be found on the Society of Nuclear Medicine website www.snm.org. Some of the information in the chapters of Part II are redundant with material covered in Part I. This content should pique the interest of those interested in taking advanced examinations but may not contribute to the overall goal for this textbook. The inclusion of MRI at this time may be premature due to the recent FDA approval of the PET/MRI. I do applaud the authors' efforts to be forward thinking and including a primer in this textbook. Once again, MRI would most likely need its own dedicated review book to do any justice to this topic.
Part III
Part III includes six practice examinations and the respective answers to those examinations. The 4th Edition includes one additional examination. The questions are written in the style and format of the certification examination. Most students like the opportunity to review questions in this format. The questions are relevant and require the reader to think. After taking the examination, the reader has the opportunity to see the correct answer. The answers include written descriptions, not just the correct letter. This format provides an opportunity to gather a better understanding of the material and assist the reader in identifying their weaknesses on this subject. Many readers will find this section helpful for preparation for the examination of their choice in nuclear medicine technology.
What will it cost you?
The textbook is currently offered on the SNMTS website for a list price of $99 for non-members and $79 for members. Students looking to get this review book should take advantage of the free SNM membership and save themselves $20. That savings will be amplified if they choose to purchase any of the other products or textbooks offered for them. Technologists or other health professionals can enjoy the savings as a member as well.
This textbook serves its purpose and knows its audience. It is a perennial best seller for the SNMTS. The new authors have worked hard to make sure that the book remains current and updated. They have expanded the textbook to reflect changes in the profession and content on the certificate examinations. A review of the book leads the reader to understand some of their strengths and weaknesses prior to taking their board exams. If you're looking for a review book on NMT, end your search and purchase a copy of this book. You will not be disappointed.
William L. Hubble, MA, CNMT, RT(R)(N)(CT), FSNMTS, is associate professor, NMT program director, and chairman of the department of medical imaging and radiation therapeutics at the Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University. Mr. Hubble contributed to this textbook, but does not receive any royalties or income from book sales.
|