ENABLERS AND BARRIERS TO NUCLEAR MEDICINE   2500w

Nuclear medicine has emerged because of advances in the field of nuclear technology. This is a branch of medical studies that uses a small amount of radioactive substances, for purposes of diagnosing and determining the nature of disease that an individual is suffering from. This type of medical practice is normally used for purposes of treating chronic diseases such as heart diseases, cancer, neurological and endocrine disorders, and other abnormal conditions within the body of an individual (Moniuszko & Patel, 2011). This field of nuclear medicine is used by a variety of medical experts, and this includes, oncologists, radiologists, gynecologists, radiotherapists, endocrinologists, etc. There are three major types of people who are working and under the field of nuclear medicine, and they include, the nuclear physician, the nuclear medicine technologist, and the nuclear pharmacist. The nuclear physicians are responsible in diagnosing and treating a patient. Furthermore, they have the responsibility of carrying out research in this field of nuclear technology.

 The technician on the other hand, works with a patient, and he or she is a specialized individual who assists the physician in diagnosing and treating a patient. The pharmacist on the other hand, involves himself in the procurement, control, and distribution of radio-pharmaceutical products (Laake, Benestad & Olsen, 2007). This is an indication that this field on nuclear medicine is an independent specialty, and well organized, and hence it can cater for the needs of its patients. This paper is a proposal on the researcher to be carried out on the enablers and barriers to the practice of nuclear medicine. This paper takes a stand that in as much as there are some factors responsible for promoting the practice of nuclear medicine, there are also some barriers.

Research Problem:

One of the major challenges facing nuclear medicine is based on the dangers of radiation. Radiation is a very serious issue, and can have a very negative impact on the health of an individual. This includes the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, which are always difficult to treat. Furthermore, it is highly expensive to train nuclear medicine experts, and this is the reason there is a shortage of nuclear medicine practitioners in the world (Moniuszko & Patel, 2011). There is also a dilemma on where to place this field of nuclear medicine. This is because there is confusion on whether to categorize nuclear medicine under the field of medicine, or to give it an independent specialty. Failure to address these concerns and issues that are brought forth in regard to nuclear technology can have an impact in limiting the emergence and growth of nuclear technology in the world.

It is therefore necessary for policy formulators to come up with methods and measures that can be used for purposes of encouraging the growth and use of nuclear technology (Prekeges, 2013). One method is to encourage extensive research in this field of nuclear medicine. Furthermore, there is a need of issuing scholarships to needy but bright students, so that they may pursue a study in the field of nuclear technology. Failure to achieve these objectives would result to limiting the growth and development of the field of nuclear medicine. This would in turn increase the deaths of people, because of an increase in the number of people suffering from chronic diseases or illnesses. It is therefore necessary to address the barriers to the practice of nuclear medicine, and create more enables to the practice.