Beyond the Department: Strategies for Educating Non–Nuclear Medicine Professionals and Future Colleagues About Theranostics

In recent years, the field of nuclear medicine has seen a massive surge in both the use of existing radiopharmaceuticals and the development of entirely new agents, particularly those classified under the subcategory of theranostics. Theranostics involves the use of radiopharmaceuticals in diagnostic and therapeutic pairs, usually to treat oncology patients. Although these advancements have greatly benefited patients and the field of nuclear medicine, they have also intensified existing challenges within departments and introduced new ones. This article identifies key nonnuclear medicine stakeholders, highlights methods for disseminating important information to those identified groups, and describes tangible processes for assessing competency in theranostics treatments for those with hands-on involvement.