Purpose or Case Report: Despite the global surge in adoption of Positron Emission Tomography Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) in healthcare, a formal educational framework for pediatric PET/MRI is lacking. The study aimed to conduct and report a needs assessment of pediatric radiology fellows, informing the development and implementation of a peer-reviewed pediatric PET/MRI curriculum and library.
Methods & Materials: A moderated focus group discussion was conducted which focused on pediatric radiology fellows’ perceptions of (1) the importance of learning how to read PET/MRI (2) their interest in learning more about PET/MRI, and (3) their requested topics in PET/MRI and (4) favored approaches toward learning about PET/MRI. Thematic analysis was conducted from the transcribed audio record of the focus group.
Results: Six participants engaged in the focus group. Thematic analysis yielded five major themes: (1) importance of PET/MRI, (2) prior experience with PET/MRI, (3) preferred method of learning, (4) content of PET/MRI learning materials, and (5) barriers to PET/MRI learning. Participants unanimously emphasized the significance of learning pediatric PET/MRI interpretation. Most participants had limited prior PET/MRI experience before their current training. The preferred learning methods encompassed a centralized source with introductory lectures and slide decks covering both technical aspects and image-rich case-based learning.
Conclusions: With the growing role of PET/MRI in pediatric diagnosis and therapy comes the need for an accessible PET/MRI curriculum for pediatric radiology trainees and physicians that contains introductory learning materials with a focus on technical aspects and case-based learning f, Addressing challenges such as time constraints and technological barriers is crucial to ensure competency in this modality.