# Radioiodine Therapy Unit as a “No-Care” Ward – A First Experience Report

## TL;DR

This paper describes a new approach using medical students to manage a nuclear medicine ward for patients needing only radiation protection, showing it is feasible and beneficial.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a 'no-care' ward model staffed by medical students for radioiodine therapy patients.

## Key findings

- 101 patients were successfully treated using I-131 sodium iodine with high patient satisfaction.
- Medical students reported improved understanding of hospital workflows and medical knowledge.
- The 'no-care' ward model was implemented six times with durations between 10 and 20 days.

## Abstract

Nuclear medicine landscape has been changing over the past decade due to the rise of radioligand therapies. However, patients receiving radioiodine therapy for benign thyroid disease still account for approx. one third of the patients on a regular nuclear medicine ward. A substantial part of these patients are hospitalized for radiation protection only and do not require nursing staff. This report aims at describing the implementation of a “no-care” nuclear medicine ward with medical students as staff. We report on the training process, patient and student satisfaction as well as the impact and strengths of this concept.

A separated nuclear medicine ward (10 beds) was established at a university hospital in Germany. After specific training, two students were assigned per working shift in a regular three-shift-system. Patients were evaluated according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients and students answered two separate surveys, assessing the satisfaction with the concept.

172/319 (53.9%) of the patients met the inclusion criteria. The “no-care” ward was opened six times between April 2024 and June 2025 and the duration was between 10 and 20 days. 101 patients were treated using I-131 sodium iodine, achieving 68.5 DRG relative units. Patient satisfaction survey revealed very high positive response rates. 27 medical students were assigned to the “no-care” ward. The majority of students stated a positive effect on overall medical knowledge and workflow understanding in a hospital.

Using medical students as staff on a “no-care” nuclear medicine ward is feasible and safe. In view of nursing staff shortage, this concept might contribute to adaptive caring in nuclear medicine therapies after careful patient selection.