Scan With Me (SWiM)

Welcome

The Scan With Me (SWiM) team is happy to welcome you to the SWiM event website! Here you will find more information about SWiM, the program's objectives, schedule and how to apply to attend. You will also be able to attend the training event directly through this website.

Program Overview

SWiM (Scan With Me) is a hybrid training initiative of the Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education and Research in Africa (CAMERA). The SWiM program is designed to advance the skill sets of MR imaging technologists practicing in imaging centers in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs) in Africa, Latin America and South East Asia. SWiM implements RAD-AID’s Teach-Try-Use strategy, applied in CAMERA’s SPARK AI training program, to rapidly provide MR image acquisition competences in resource-limited settings. SWiM uses a combination of case-based and hands-on learning approaches to train a team of technologists who will work together as a network to grow their skills and collectively train others. Given the relatively higher burden of neurologic disorders in LMICs and the limited neural diagnostic imaging capacity in the region, coupled with the lack of postgraduate training in MR neuroimaing, the 2024 SWiM program will focus on MR brain imaging. This year’s program is in collaboration with the Open Science Initiative for Perfusion Imaging (OSIPI), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands, Siemens Healthineers, Canon Medical Systems, Montreal Neurological Institute, Crestview Radiology Ltd, and Accuread Radiology Nigeria LTD, and supported by the McGill University Doctoral Internship Program and Global Mobility Awards. MR technologists from imaging centers in Africa, South East Asia, and Latin America will participate in the 2024 SWiM program and trained to acquire high quality and best value brain imaging including emerging advanced techniques such as Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rsfMRI), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS).

The 2024 SWiM program will run from August 6th to September 28th 2024 with the goal of producing a team of technologists who will work together to implement a standard MR neuroimaging protocol optimized for brain imaging at their centers in LMICs. The program will introduce practical aspects of neuroimaging and guide the participants to produce optimized protocols for common indications in LMICs including infectious disease, cerebrovascular disease, seizures, and dementia. By applying their knowledge toward imaging unique neurological cases, SWiM will produce a cohort of well trained technologists competent to provide high quality brain imaging for clinical and research applications in LMICs. We anticipate that our training program will offer technologists in LMICs working in resource constrained settings the power of experience to swim ahead and advance their MR practice within their respective regions.

Objectives

The main objectives of the SWiM Program are to:

1. Build standardized imaging skills in MRI.
2. Upscale and advance the imaging skills of technologists practicing in resource limited settings.
3. Implement standard MR imaging protocols for optimal imaging of diseases and conditions prevalent in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs).
4. Train and retrain imaging experts who will sustainably advance the practice of MRI in LMICs.
5. Create a collaborative culture and a network of imaging experts in LMICs.

Eligibility

The program is open to technologists who:

1. can commit to completing all program activities on time and actively participate in each session.
2. will be able to attend at least 90% of the training activities.
3. are a registered MRI technologists practicing in center in LMIC
4. have clinical experience with MR imaging.
5. are self-motivated and team players.
6. have support from their clinical director or imaging leader/head of department.

Application Process

The application to attend the 2024 SWiM Program is open from July 1st to July 19th, 2024.

Dates

Application Open: July 1st, 2024

Application Close: July 19th, 2024

Selection Announcement: July 29th 2024

Program Start: August 6th, 2024

How to Apply:

Visit the How to Apply page and complete the application form, include a 50 words essay on why you want to participate and a 1-page CV summarizing your diagnostic imaging training and work experience.