RESULTS OF AHIS MEMBERSHIP SURVEY 2021

In October 2021 the AHIS conducted an online survey of its Hybrid Imaging Specialists to gauge their professional expert opinion and current up to date clinical practice regarding Contrast Enhanced Hybrid PET Diagnostic CT (CE PET/CT). We thank our members across all corners of Australia for their time in offering their expertise and we have had an exceptional level of engagement with the survey. 

The summary of the survey findings and the key consistent themes in responses are:

• Unanimous agreement that CE PET/CT has proven advantages over stand-alone PET/non-diagnostic CT for diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Over 95% agreement that CE PET/CT obviates need for separate CECT procedures in various clinically indicated situations and patient groups. Over 95% of our members work routinely their referrers and clinicians to include CECT with PET when clinically appropriate for their patients.

• Unanimous agreement that any small additional risks associated with CECT compared to low-dose non-contrast CT used routinely at the time of PET, are outweighed by the clinical benefits to cancer patients, such as missing relevant disease or misdiagnosing cancer.

• 90% of members indicated that CT imaging protocols should be encouraged and promoted to evolve beyond non-diagnostic CT for ACAL only, in conjunction with PET.

• 90% of members agreed that the body of international literature is supportive of CE PET/CT protocols to be standard of care in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring cancer patients and this informs their clinically relevant and appropriate practice to perform CECT, rather than non-diagnostic CT in conjunction with PET for their patients and referring colleagues in their multi-disciplinary networks. 

• All members indicated they would like to see other peak professional bodies such as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists to recognise their unique sub-specialty craft group and would like to see engagement and collaboration with other such professional bodies to advance Hybrid Imaging and ensure continuing evolving up to date practice and patient care.