INTRODUCTION: The objective of this paper is to verify the influence of the source geometry on Geiger Müller (GM) exposure rate data. This paper presents a validation of an application based on Monte Carlo (MC) data simulated using Geant4, based on a comparison of the exposure rates calculated via MC and Deterministic Calculations (DC) to experimental (measured) exposure rates. METHODS: Experimental data that were collected through measurements of standard sources were used for MC and DC validation. In addition, the best method of analyzing the impact of the real source geometry on calculations of a descarpack box of radioactive waste was verified. Furthermore, were estimated the exposure rates from a homogeneous solid waste box (used at clinical sites) and from a point source. These results were compared to confirm possible discrepancies related to source geometry in exposure rates collected using a GM detector. RESULTS: The investigated estimation methods were statistically compared; the MC presented higher agreement with the experimental data than did the deterministic calculations. The impact of considering a point source instead of the real geometry (descarpack box) was an underestimation of between 20% and 70%, depending on the source - detector distance and the isotope evaluated. CONCLUSION: The DC always presented a higher difference with respect to the experimental data than did the MC calculation. The use of realistic geometry proved to exert a significant impact on the exposure rate data for solid radioactive waste compared with the exposure rate induced by a point source; the exposure rate estimation obtained using the real geometry was always at least 16% higher than the estimation obtained for a point source, and some differences greater than 50% were found.

OBJETIVO: Validar a proposta do desenvolvimento de um ambiente colaborativo virtual para formação de pessoal em medicina nuclear. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: No desenvolvimento inicial do ambiente foram levantadas as premissas, restrições e funcionalidades que deveriam ser oferecidas aos profissionais da área. O protótipo foi desenvolvido no ambiente Moodle, incluindo funcionalidades de armazenamento de dados e interação. Um estudo piloto de interação no ambiente foi realizado com uma amostra de profissionais especialistas em medicina nuclear. Análises quantitativas e de conteúdo foram realizadas a partir de um questionário semiestruturado de opinião dos usuários. RESULTADOS: A proposta do ambiente colaborativo foi validada por uma comunidade de profissionais que atuam nesta área e considerada relevante visando a auxiliar na formação de pessoal. Sugestões de melhorias e novas funcionalidades foram indicadas. Observou-se a necessidade de estabelecer um programa de formação dos moderadores no ambiente, visto que são necessárias características de interação distintas do ensino presencial. CONCLUSÃO: O ambiente colaborativo poderá permitir a troca de experiências e a discussão de casos entre profissionais localizados em instituições de diferentes regiões do País, possibilitando uma aproximação e colaboração entre esses profissionais. Assim, o ambiente pode contribuir para formação inicial e continuada de profissionais que atuam em medicina nuclear.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the proposal for development of a virtual collaborative environment for training of nuclear medicine personnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Organizational assumptions, constraints and functionalities that should be offered to the professionals in this field were raised early in the development of the environment. The prototype was developed in the Moodle environment, including data storage and interaction functionalities. A pilot interaction study was developed with a sample of specialists in nuclear medicine. Users' opinions collected by means of semi-structured questionnaire were submitted to quantitative and content analysis. RESULTS: The proposal of a collaborative environment was validated by a community of nuclear medicine professionals and considered as an aid in the training in this field. Suggestions for improvements and new functionalities were made. There is a need to establish a program for education of moderators specifically for this environment, considering the different interaction characteristics as the online and conventional teaching methods are compared. CONCLUSION: The collaborative environment will allow the exchange of experiences and case discussions among professionals from institutions located in different regions all over the country, enhancing the collaboration among them. Thus, the environment can contribute in the early and continued education of nuclear medicine professionals.