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Just a few reasons to join the IAMT:
- Industry Support
- Research and Development
- Yearly Conferences
- Continued Education
- Discount on Conference and Materials
- Networking
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."
Author: Unknown
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I AM THERMOGRAPHY NEWSLETTER
November 2010
You, the thermographers are Thermography and you are not alone. We are dedicated to working together to make thermography part of the future of medicine.
IAMT Mission Statement:
To promote research, education, technical training, clinical application, and provide networking for the advancement of Medical Thermology. |
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Committee Members Needed
We would like to welcome all new members of the IAMT and are very pleased with the response and feedback from thermographers worldwide. Involvement from members is greatly needed and appreciated. There are several committees listed below. We encourage all members to get involved and take action and volunteer! Let us know if you would like to be a committee chair or member. Please e-mail us with your information as soon as possible. - Research and Development: Gathering pertinent data and research for the improvement and development of medical thermography
- Membership: Membership growth
- Advertising/ Marketing: Creating and Tracking medical thermography awareness
- Members Support/ Professional Support: Legal, medical, technical, or other professional guidance
If you are not a member please join today and be part of the decision making and the beneficiaries of many new and exciting opportunities.
Pleast note that the IAMT is open to all medical thermographers, regardless of equipment and affiliation to any other thermography associations. |
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Welcome New International Members
the IAMT would like to welcome to our new International Members:
Clare Barry, Avalon Laser Health, St. John's, N.S., Canada
Estelle Barry, Bras d'Or Physiotherapy, St Peter's N.S., Canada
Patricia Reed, R.N., Bellingen NSW, Australia
Dr Vicolene Schutte, Gauteng, South Africa
Thank you for joining the IAMT. We are fortunate to have all of you as members.
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Breaking News!
Based on members interest, the first IAMT Conference may  be held as early as April 2011! Some possible venues are Tampa FL, Austin TX, and Chicago IL. Please direct your thoughts and suggestions to newsletter@iamtonline.org. We will keep you informed when the information becomes available. |
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Breast Implants - Mammography and Thermography
Carol Chandler, D.O.M.
Approximately 4 million women have had breast implant surgery in the U.S. Many do not realize that typically silicone or saline implants have a reliable life of 10 years. The FDA warns that after 10 years at least one implant is likely to rupture and by twenty years both implants will have ruptured. This indicates that implants should be monitored for leaks and ruptures and replaced or removed periodically to protect her health. If the saline or silicone is not sterile and leaks into the body, it can an often does, cause irreparable damage to her health. Fibromyalgia can be directly related to such events.
The FDA reports that mammography screening will most likely reduce the life of the implant, and ruptures during the procedure do occur. Even so, annual mammogram screening is recommended for women with implants, although sensitivity is affected. The false negative rate increases from 33% for women without implants to 55% for women with implants. For these reasons, women with implants may choose to avoid mammography.
For those women who still desire to screen for breast health, thermography is a safe and worry-free method, as there is no possibility of directly affecting the implants. Also, women are expected to have a baseline screening before implant surgery. Many are too young to be exposed to the radiation of x-ray and screening with thermography would be a wise choice.
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Physician's Insight
Congratulations to our thermographers! Efforts are in high gear, as this past October has
 | | Jay Mead, MD |
been the busiest month ever for Physicians Insight! You have kept us busy!!!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have sent in your Membership Applications. You will be pleasantly surprised with the IAMT offerings this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts as a thermologists/interpreter. As the technology is improving, the imaging techniques have improved as well, which gives us greater confidence in our assessments. Here are some points that can help us:
History: the questionnaires give us basic information but can be confusing if you don't clarify the "yes" answers. Example: "yes" to headaches, breast cancer details, implants more than 10 years ago (are they still there?) surgeries with no explanation, etc.
Focusing: Fuzzy images are difficult to interpret. Hint: if you are unsure, view the images in gray scale to find the sharpest setting, especially if you don't have one of the most recent "auto focus" cameras.
Improper positions: The software is intentionally designed to prompt you at the bottom of the imaging screen for the correct framing and positions. If the images are not taken at the proper distance, they can be too small to detect patterns or changes. Train yourself to take the images exactly the same every time. Follow-up comparisons require comparable positions.
New thermographers: New thermographers must be properly trained, no exceptions. This is the responsibility of the camera owner and quality imaging is imperative. Arrange for proper instruction for a training certificate before they start.
Good reports require good quality information and images. I know as IAMT Members that you insist on high standards. Most of our thermographers are consistently submitting excellent images and we appreciate your attention to detail.
Enjoy your Holidays!
Dr Jay |
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Featured Thermographer Lynn Chadd, MSN, ARNP
Natural Healthcare for Women
 | | Lynn Chadd |
Nurse Practitioner
Peshastin, WA
Congratulations to Lynn Chadd, submitting over 160 studies to Physicians Insight just in the month of October! Here is her story.
My Experience using Thermal Imaging as a Breast Health Screening Tool
I became interested in Thermography approximately five years ago. I was looking for a breast health screening option for my patients who did not want to subject themselves to the radiation exposure that goes along with the yearly mammogram. I was amazed at the research and of course wondered why we weren't using this method more frequently. I realized early on it would be a great tool for young women with dense breast tissue as well as those not wanting the radiation exposure. I have been practicing thermography in my office now for the past 3 years and have come to realized that it is a great screening tool for all of us! I needed experience using the camera to realize its full potential. When you receive a thermal image report with a potential neovascularity-you do not need to panic! This is a new paradigm. We are used to receiving an abnormal mammogram and realizing that the person has cancer and needs treatment now. Thermal imaging actually gives us time to make lifestyle changes and potentially change the course of developing disease. I have experienced great success improving my patient's breast health using Thermal Imaging as a breast health tool.
This year women are really looking for a breast screening tool that is not harmful to them.The September 23rd issue of the New England Journal of Medicine has really proven that Mammography has not done for us what we thought it was.As a matter of fact, our yearly mammogram may actually be increasing our overall risk due to the repeated radiation exposure year after year. I have been thrilled with the results my patients and I have achieved using thermal imaging as a breast screening prevention tool. |
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Training Center
Imaging Partners Training Center
Judy Donatelli and Susan Wilson- Co-Owners
Susan and I began our thermography company in Pittsburgh over five years ago and have loved the challenge of bringing this new innovative technology to our community. As all things in life, the thermography business had its challenges and we have learned through hard work, trial and error, and research, how to make a thermography business thrive and succeed.
We created Imaging Partners to alleviate new thermographers of the uncertainties, fears, and challenges of beginning the practice of thermography.
Our goal as your Imaging Partner is to " Bridge that Gap", learning what we learned, without the mistakes! You can use the materials and information we offer that will get your company to the income you desire and deserve, while offering this valuable and credible service to your community.
Sincerely,
Judy Donatelli
Below is an overview of the training selections based on your individual needs.
One Day Course
Includes: 8 hours of intense training, hands-on scanning with live models
- Review of Basic Thermography Protocol
- Student Observation: Instructor performs scans and student observes
- Client/ Technician Protocol: Proper communication and conduct with client
- Practice: Hands-on scanning with instructor overview
- Imaging Software: Learning and utilizing imaging software
- Scanning Review: Independent scanning by student
- Image Optimization: student practices skills relating to temperature scale, focus, framing and positioning
Please Note: This course is based on the premise that the technician has had some exposure to clinical thermography and needs to fine tune their skills.
Two Day Course
Includes: Comprehensive Thermography Training, Protocols and Business Practices
Day 1
- Introduction to Clinical Thermography: History of thermography, understanding the sympathetic nervous system as it relates to thermography
- Camera Care and set up
- Clinical Thermography: room conditions, standard protocols, preparing client for scan, reviewing client medical forms, and software introduction.
- Observation of Scanning Procedures
- Demonstration and Discussion of Clinical Challenges: clients with limited mobility, cold Stress testing, scanning feet and hands, and reviewing scans with client
- Imaging Practice: Student practices scanning procedures with observation
Day 2
- Image Optimization: student practices skills relating to temperature scale, focus, framing and positioning
- Imaging Practice: Student practices with observation
- Student demonstrates the ability to perform thermal imaging
- Lab Set Up: Getting started, materials, etc.
- Basic Marketing: Bringing Thermography to your community
Upon completion of this course, the trainee will be prepared to set up and execute a thermal imaging practice or integrate thermography into an already standing medical practice.
Please e-mail judydonatelli@gmail.com with further questions.
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Editor's Comments
I would like to thank all those who provided feedback since the last newsletter. We will continue to use this tool as a means to:
- Keep members updated on the development of the IAMT
- Acquire new members
- Share information pertinent to medical thermography
Please e-mail me with your thoughts and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Sue Wilson |
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