Thermal imaging can detect abnormalities in the human body and even in mechanical systems.
Thermal imaging is a non-invasive diagnostic tool designed to detect potential pathogenic occurrences in the muscular, skeletal, vascular and neural systems of the body. These "hot spots" are identified by changes in skin temperature with the use of a digital infrared scanning device, which maps the return of infrared radiation from the skin on a thermogram. With thermal imaging training and certification, thermographers may practice in specialized fields of medicine, such as oncology, orthopedics, neurology and sports medicine.
Clinical Application
This component of thermal imaging training prepares the candidate to successfully demonstrate proficiency in the use of digital infrared thermographic camera systems and related equipment in a clinical setting.
Imaging Proficiency
This training module provides the trainee with hands-on experience in generating quality thermal imaging maps, or thermograms.
Medicolegal and HIPPA Compliance
This part of thermal imaging training is focused on two objectives. The first gives the student a comprehensive understanding of the principles of standard medicolegal protocols governing the legal aspects of practicing medicine, such as properly obtaining patient consent and observing malpractice liability risk management practices as they relate to thermography. The second part of this training deals with conforming to guidelines in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which are designed to protect patient privacy.
Thermography Practice Standards
This aspect of thermal imaging training is concerned with promoting acceptable standards of care, ethics and professional integrity. Acceptable standards of care in thermography involve proper environmental controls and patient management protocols before and during the procedure to make certain the patient is physically and psychologically prepared, and to ensure imaging accuracy.
Practice Development
This area of training offers the skills needed to implement strategies for practice development and promotion through continued education and professional networking.
Certification Levels
The American College of Clinical Thermology offers three certification levels: Clinical Thermographer Level I (CT-I), Clinical Thermographer Level II (CT-II) and Clinical Thermographer Level III-Trainer (CT-III-Trainer). Different levels of certification generally reflect different levels of training and experience in the use of various equipment. For instance, higher certification may indicate training in advanced thermal imaging tools, such as liquid crystal thermography and dual sensor paraspinal devices.
Training and Certification Providers
Digital thermal imaging is not limited to medical applications. In fact, the same techniques are used in the automobile industry to, for example, collect and analyze information about certain automotive components or safety features. Thermal imaging is also used in law and security enforcement and firefighting.
In the United States, the American College of Clinical Thermology provides training for candidates entering medical fields, and the American Society for Nondestructive Testing offers nondestructive (NDT) training applicable to other industries in which there is a need to examine material or system properties and integrity.
There are additional training and certification providers throughout North America, as well as international sources.
Tags: thermal imaging, imaging training, thermal imaging training, Clinical Thermographer, Clinical Thermographer Level
