The RSNA 104th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting at McCormick Place in Chicago is the place to be this month.
We caught up with RSNA President Vijay M. Rao, MD, to discuss achievements realized thus far during her tenure, the challenges radiologists face and prognostications for the future.
ICE: What are some of RSNA’s achievements that you are the most proud of as you continue to serve as president?
Rao: I am very proud of RSNA’s enthusiastic support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. We have launched a number of initiatives, with still more planned, including an expanded variety of AI offerings at the annual meeting, a pneumonia detection ML challenge, an AI webinar series, and AI Spotlight courses. RSNA’s new journal, Radiology: Artificial Intelligence debuts in 2019. AI/ML are and will continue to be an integral part of research and education at RSNA in the coming years.
I continue to be proud of the spirit of global collaboration that underlies so many RSNA activities. RSNA is a global organization with an expanding membership base in countries around the world. Global collaboration for the exchange of knowledge has always been an important part of RSNA’s mission. Working with our international colleagues through partnerships, courses, and other initiatives has been extraordinarily beneficial to everyone involved and has created wonderful educational opportunities for our members.
ICE: Are there any causes that you feel strongly about? What is the status of these causes?
Rao: As President of RSNA, it has been my privilege to emphasize the important role radiology has in transforming health care delivery in the digital age. RSNA has provided a forum for the fostering of ideas that recognize and harness the power of emerging technologies to optimize patient care in this new landscape of value-driven health care.
Championing women in radiology and, particularly, in leadership roles, is another cause I hold dear. I think our field offers a great many opportunities for women. But I remain concerned by the disparity in the number of female medical students who go on to specialize in radiology and to become leaders in their specialty. Women offer a unique perspective and valuable contributions, and it is imperative that they have a place at the table. While great strides have been made over the years, I think there is still more work to be done, and I believe that through mentoring we can make a profound impact.
ICE: What are some of the challenges radiologists are facing now? How can they navigate these obstacles?
Rao: Some of the biggest challenges we face are explosive growth in new technologies, digital imaging and data, coupled with a radiologist shortage and burnout, and, of course, the need to contain costs.
We navigate these obstacles by facing them head on and turning them into opportunities, utilizing these powerful tools to transform the way we practice. Properly employed, these digital tools will expedite routine processes, allow more precise diagnostic capabilities, and enable radiologists to focus more on value-based aspects of patient care, ensuring their role as essential members of the health care team.
ICE: Can you speak about RSNA’s commitment to foster continuous innovation in patient-focused radiology?
Rao: The RSNA Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting is the leading forum for radiology innovation. RSNA 2018 will offer a massive technical exhibition, more interactive Diagnosis Live™ sessions and an expanded Virtual Meeting. We will host an abundance of artificial intelligence and machine learning presentations, courses and exhibits for our attendees, including the National Cancer Institute’s Crowds Cure Cancer exhibit, which invites radiologists to annotate clinical images for ML research.
The Machine Learning Showcase will be doubled in size for 2018 to accommodate this burgeoning field. This showcase allows attendees to connect with vendors and see the latest in machine learning and artificial intelligence software and products. This year, the showcase will feature a Machine Learning Theater with daily presentations.
Also in the exhibit halls, we’ll have the 3D Printing & Advanced Visualization Showcase, focusing on the latest research and innovations in 3D printing for medical applications.
These innovations truly embody the meeting theme of “Tomorrow’s Radiology Today.” This phenomenal program and our ongoing initiatives throughout the year demonstrate RSNA’s commitment to innovation in patient-centered radiology.
ICE: Technological advances seem to come faster and faster in every aspect of health care. What have been some of the most amazing technological advances you have seen in radiology since earning your medical degree?
Rao: In radiology, technological advances are happening every day. Certainly, CT, MRI and PET have revolutionized the field of imaging and transformed medical practice. More recently, the advent of precision medicine has given rise to new and astounding technologies.
We’ve only begun to see what AI can do, but already these applications have proven very useful, improving efficiency and freeing up time for radiologists to become more value-focused and patient-centered.
Further, AI applications have the potential to not only benefit education and research in radiology, but also to ease radiologist shortages and improve quantitative capability in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
ICE: What advice would you offer radiologists who are entering the field?
Rao: Radiology is an exciting and continuously evolving specialty. As we move toward a value-based practice model, it’s imperative that trainees and young radiologists embrace the key role that patient-centered care will play in radiology’s future.
Toward that goal, RSNA offers a number of learning opportunities in patient-centered practice, including a new curriculum of 13 interactive patient-centered care learning modules for educating trainees in diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology and integrated interventional radiology residencies.
It is also important that all radiologists keep abreast of trends in imaging utilization, cost and quality to identify how imaging influences patient care and how our quality improvement efforts affect outcomes. We should always be looking for ways to add value and help reduce waste in health care.
ICE: Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Rao: Yes. To witness firsthand some of the remarkable advances I have been talking about, enjoy an incredible slate of plenary sessions and speakers, and share stories and ideas with your colleagues from around the world, come to RSNA 2018. I look forward to seeing you in Chicago!
