The American College of Radiology (ACR), the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and the European Society of Radiology (ESR) are co-sponsoring the 2018 International Day of Radiology (IDoR), in recognition of the tremendous advances in modern health care made possible by radiology. The seventh annual event—which is recognized by more than 170 international authorities—will take place on Thursday, November 8.
“In the 123 years since the discovery of the x-ray, medical imaging has continued to advance modern medicine, drive technological innovation, and enable more effective and efficient patient care,” says William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, FACR, CEO of the ACR. “The International Day of Radiology celebrates the lives saved and extended worldwide by radiology and highlights the ongoing work of our members and their colleagues in research, diagnosis and treatment.”
Radiology is playing a key role in the prevention and early detection of cancers, ACR officials say. Case in point: Since regular mammography use started in the 1980s, breast cancer deaths in women have plunged more than 40%— and radiology professionals are helping to educate women about the importance of having a breast cancer risk assessment by age 30 and annual mammography every year beginning at age 40.
Moreover, research shows that screening older current and former smokers each year with CT scans reduces lung cancer deaths by up to 61% in women and 26%in men. And virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) is as accurate as standard colonoscopy in detecting pre-cancerous polyps, attracts more people to be screened, lowers costs, and is covered by major insurers.
IDoR 2018 also includes celebrations during National Radiologic Technology Week (November 4-10). As healthcare becomes more patient-focused, the ACR will continue to work with like-minded organizations, like the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), to ensure all radiology professionals have the support they need to deliver the best patient experience possible.
Moreover, the ACR Commission on Patient- and Family-Centered Care (CPFCC) works collaboratively within the American College of Radiology and with patient-centered care organizations and professional medical societies for system-wide patient-centered outcomes. According to ACR officials, the CPFCC’s PFCC Toolkit offers practice-specific online resources to help radiology professionals enhance patient-engagement skills—and work is underway to address several areas of opportunity for radiologists to play a more active role in patient care identified in a first-of-its-kind survey of patients undertaken in 2017.
For additional information regarding the 2018 International Day of Radiology, visit internationaldayofradiology.com.
