RSNA News - February 2005

RSNA Board of Directors Report

In 2005 RSNA will begin to provide general self-assessment modules (SAMs) to help members assess their knowledge in various general categories or subspecialty areas.

R. Gilbert Jost, M.D.

Chairman, 2005 RSNA Board of Directors

On Friday, December 3, 2004, the 2005 RSNA Board of Directors convened for the first time and welcomed the newest Board member, George S. Bisset III, M.D., as its Liaison-designate for Education.

During the meeting, held at the conclusion of RSNA 2004 in Chicago, the Board reviewed the 2004 annual meeting, continued to plan for the 2005 annual meeting and prepared for its January retreat.

RSNA Scientific Assembly & Annual Meeting

RSNA 2004 was bigger and more exciting than ever. Total registration was more than 60,000, the highest attendance since 1997. The technical exhibition set two records—one for square footage (455,050 sq. ft.) and the other for the number of exhibitors (690). Final audited attendance figures are posted on the Meeting Watch page.

RSNA 2005

The pace of change with respect to medical imaging technology continues to accelerate. More and more people attend the RSNA meeting each year because it is the one place where it is possible to sense and keep pace with the dramatic changes in our specialty.

This is accomplished through the dedication of many member volunteers, who make sure that the scientific and educational content, as well as the logistics of the meeting, are state of the art.

In 2005, a fourth case-based review course will be offered. In addition to neuroradiology, interventional radiology and pediatric radiology, a daylong course will be offered in radiation oncology. The following is a preview of some of the content at RSNA 2005:

• Opening Session will be "Multi-detector CT: Beyond 16 Slice—Too Much of a Good Thing?" The speakers will present the pros and cons.
• Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology, by William R. Brody, M.D., Ph.D., from Baltimore, will be on interdisciplinary relationships.
• Annual Oration in Radiation Oncology, by Clifford Chao, M.D., of Houston, will be on radiology and radiation treatment.
• Categorical course in diagnostic radiology will be "Advances in Breast Diagnosis and Intervention."
• Categorical course in diagnostic physics will be "Multidimensional Image Processing, Analysis, and Display."
• Breast imaging will be the hot topic category for education exhibits.
• Oncologic interventional sessions, such as tumor ablation, will be added to the program. These sessions will include instructional lectures and proffered abstracts.

Additional announcements about RSNA 2005 will be made throughout the year in RSNA News.

Technology

Nearly 2,200 meeting attendees participated in a pilot using radiofrequency identification (RFID) to track attendance at case-based review courses. Consenting participants had an RFID chip implanted in their badge so that sensors in meeting room doorways could record their entry and exit. The data are now being analyzed so that RSNA can better serve the needs of its members and annual meeting attendees.

Early feedback shows annual meeting attendees appreciated the additional WiFi areas at McCormick Place. Discussions will be held early this year to determine if the WiFi areas can be expanded at RSNA 2005.

Electronic presentation of scientific posters and education exhibits at RSNA 2004 is undergoing evaluation in order to determine the most effective forms of presentation for RSNA 2005. RSNA 2004 featured 379 posters and exhibits in electronic format.

A fourth case-based review course—one in radiation oncology—will be offered at RSNA 2005.		Electronic presentation of scientific posters and education exhibits is undergoing evaluation to determine the most effective format of presentation.

MOC and SAMs

As maintenance of certification (MOC) becomes increasingly important for our members, they will rely more heavily on RSNA for help in lifelong learning and periodic self-assessment.

Subspecialty content codes added in 2004 made it easier for RSNA members to find the science and educational materials offered in their areas of interest. The codes are consistent with the American Board of Radiology's (ABR) MOC classification system.

In 2005 RSNA will begin to provide general self-assessment modules (SAMs) to help members assess their knowledge in various general categories or subspecialty areas. By self-identifying their strengths and weaknesses, members can further customize their professional development plans to meet MOC requirements. RSNA has been working with other organizations to develop SAMs.

RSNA has also established a Technical Assistance Center to provide other organizations with the infrastructure to develop and maintain SAMs.

Other Board Action

• C. Leon Partain, M.D., Ph.D., will represent RSNA at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Biotechnology Workshop in March.
• RSNA will sponsor a session at ICR 2006 in Cape Town, South Africa.

R. Gilbert Jost, M.D.
Chairman, 2005 RSNA Board of Directors

Note: In our continuing efforts to keep RSNA members informed, the chair of the RSNA Board of Directors will provide a brief report in RSNA News following each board meeting. The next RSNA Board Meeting is in March.