Associated Sciences Consortium
RSNA News continues its series highlighting the work of organizations working with RSNA in the Associated Sciences Consortium.
American Association of Medical Dosimetrists
By extending its educational opportunities and increasing collaboration with related organizations, the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD), is heightening public and professional awareness of medical dosimetry on a worldwide scale.
The international society, which provides members with opportunities for education, a forum for professional interaction and a representative voice in the healthcare community, is open to practicing medical dosimetrists consisting largely of certified medical dosimetrists and those practicing or interested in the field of medical dosimetry. Current membership totals around 2,300.
"We've taken on a big collaborative outreach effort with the related organizations in order to show how medical dosimetrists are viable members of the radiation oncology and medical physics teams," said Gregg Robinson, AAMD Executive Director.
Robinson explained that AAMD is working with organizations including RSNA, American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, American Association of Physicists in Medicine and American College of Medical Physics and the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board to extend the association's outreach. AAMD became a member of RSNA's Associated Sciences Consortium in January.
AAMD's recent annual meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz., drew more than 500 attendees including medical dosimetrists, medical physicists and radiation therapy technologists and featured presentations on treatment planning, brachytherapy, simulation, coding and more.
"This year we produced our first annual business report and decided to extend our educational activities to present more regional meetings," Robinson said. "One goal is to present three regional meetings per year to give members more opportunities to receive continuing education. In turn we hope to promote certification for all medical dosimetrists by assisting in the development of educational programs and online continuing education."
The AAMD Web site, www.medical dosimetry.org, offers directed journal reading activities for online continuing education as well as information about careers in medical dosimetry. The association also publishes the official journal Medical Dosimetry.
"We recently introduced the eMonitor, our quarterly electronic newsletter that provides updates on AAMD activities and medical dosimetry developments," Robinson said.
Future plans for AAMD include further involvement in issues such the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (CARE) bill and reimbursement, said Robinson.
"As a member of RSNA's Associated Sciences Consortium and organizations such as the Health Profession Network, AAMD is gaining awareness of how the allied health community and other associations approach issues such as healthcare reimbursement and visibility of individual professions," Robinson said. "We will use that information to create more services for our members."
For more information, visit www.medicaldosimetry.org.
NEW Online Educational Offerings on InteractED®
Several new Refresher Course programs from RSNA 2008 are now available online for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ as an RSNA member benefit:
• Categorical Course in Diagnostic Radiology: Imaging of Cardiac Physiology—MR Imaging
• CTA and MRA in Vascular Intervention: Treatment of Occlusive Disease
• Quality Control in PACS: Image Quality Process, Data Integrity and Putting Display QC into Practice
• Pediatric PICC: How to Establish and Run the Service
• Update Course in Diagnostic Radiology: Clinical PET and PET/CT Imaging — Lymphoma, Melanoma and Sarcomas
• Sinonasal Infection and Chronic Inflammatory Disease
• Endocrine Neoplasia: A Radiologic-Pathologic Review
• Imaging Before and After Aortic Stent-Grafting: Current Recommendations
• Imaging of Focal Liver Lesions: Techniques for CT and MR Imaging, Noncirrhotic Liver and Cirrhotic Liver
• PET Imaging Protocols and Normal Anatomy/Variants
To view these new programs, visit RSNA.org/education. For additional information on other available products, contact the Education Center at 1-800-381-6660 x3753 or 1-800-272-2920.
