| Summary of the 78th Annual Meeting of the American College of Radiology
Have you ever wondered why we need to do an internship year? Why is there a requirement for minimum time spent training in nuclear medicine or mammography? Who can perform and interpret obstetrical or vascular ultrasonogrpahy, cardiac MRI, or Renal angioplasty? Have you wondered how we will practice radiology when done training and out in the real world? More importantly, have you wondered what you can do to help shape the current and future practice of radiology?
As Vice Chair of the Massachusetts Radiologic Society, Resident and Fellow Section, I gained great insight into how these important decisions are made while attending the 78th Annual Meeting of the American College of Radiology (ACR). 75 residents from across the U.S. attended this year’s meeting of the ACR Resident Physician Section (RPS). This year the College invited each chapter to sponsor two residents and/or fellows to attend the meeting in San Francisco. It was a fantastic opportunity to understand the workings of the college and meet the leaders in the field. We were greeted by Harvey L. Neiman, Chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors; and Spencer Gay, M.D., Chair of the ACR Committee on Resident and Young Physician Activities.
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Fellowship: Application and Funding
This year’s agenda included a panel discussion entitled Fellowship: Application and Funding. Panelists included Jay A. Harolds, M.D., President of the Association of Program Directors in Radiology (APDR); Ronald Arenson, M.D., President for the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiatiology Programs (SCARD); and C. Douglas Maynard, M.D., Member of the ACR Task Force on Financial Support for Fellowship Funding. Data collected by Dr. Yousem’s questionnaire of residents, recently obtaining neuroradiology fellowships through the match, and neuroradiology programs was presented. Programs were in support of the match and residents were in favor of some change in the non-match system (see upcoming publication of these results). This year Neuro and Interventional will have a match for fellowships and it appears that all fellowship programs will have a match system in place, perhaps by next year, however this is still under discussion.
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ABR 10-year re-certification requirement
M. Paul Capp, M.D., Executive Director of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) discussed the 10-year re-certification requirement which would currently be applicable to those finishing residency in 2002. The ABR is in place to protect the public, which is demanding some assurance of competency. The structure of the re-certification process is still under investigation. It appears a multiple choice exam will be given and examinees can pick several sections from those offered (ie neuro, msk, gi-gu etc.) also included in the re-certification will be measures of professionalism, communication, continuing education.
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ACR governance
Kay H. Vydareny, M.D., newly elected ACR President, gave an overview of the organization and governance of the ACR. 54 Issues, or “References,” were discussed, submitted, and voted upon by the ACR. Six references were of greater significance to residents and young radiologists, as outlined below:
- Membership yearly dues increase to $725 (full membership, after training) to be reached gradually over the first five years of practice.
- Standards for the performance and interpretation of cardiovascular MRI.
- Development of a task force, including the American College of Emergency Physicians, to investigate “Appropriate Utilization of Imaging Services in Hospital Emergency Rooms.”
- In the busy emergency department radiologists provide coverage consistent with the level of care the institution requires.
- Recognition of interventional radiology as a new division within the “House of Radiology” (diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, and medical physics). A comprehensive report to be delivered in 2002.
- Advocate written, standardized family leave policies.
The ACR Resident Physician Section has one vote in the proceedings of the ACR Council. Prior to the council session, resident attendees discussed how they would like to vote on these references. Dr. Lemley, as chair of the RPS Executive Committee, served as the credentialed delegate to the ACR council, voting on behalf of our group.
Elections for the officer positions on the ACR Resident Physician Section 2001-2002 Governing Council were held with the following results:
Douglas E. Lemley, M.D.
Chair
Duke University, North Carolina
douglemley@prodigy.net
Christoph Wald, M.D., Ph.D. (our very own, congratulations!)
Vice Chair / Chair Elect
Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Massachusetts
cwald@csi.com
Rosemary J. Klecker, M.D.
Secretary
Ohio State University Hospital
klecker@email.com
Kevin Erik Snyder, M.D.
A3CR2 Representative
University of Virginia Hospital
kes7u@virginia.edu
Kay Spong Lozano, M.D.
AMA Representative
University of Washington Medical Center
klozano@u.washington.edu
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How to get involved
I strongly encourage any of you interested in the current and future practice of radiology to get involved in the ACR by becoming active in the Massachusetts Radiologic Society, resident-fellows section.
For additional information about the meeting and other resident related issues see the Resident subsite of the ACR website www.acr.org/frames/f-residents.html.
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Tuesday, September 11 tragedies
Finally, on September 11, 2001, the Council of the American College of Radiology unanimously approved an emergency resolution extending its “heartfelt sympathies and thoughts to the victims, their families and all touched” by the day’s terrorist attacks. The resolution was approved during the ACR’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco. We certainly echo these sympathies.
Report respectfully submitted by
Wayne Monsky, MD.PhD.
Vice Chair, MRS RFS
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