Search Results for: promoting

Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness in Canada

October 21, 2020

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the CAR has created an electronic and print version poster, A Patient’s Journey Through Breast Cancer Screening, for radiologists to showcase at their workplace and on social media. Help us raise awareness for this important cause and promote the essential role of radiologists in diagnosing breast cancer by displaying this poster.

Read more about the CAR’s Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives in our news release describing the importance of medical imaging in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer, featuring Dr. Jean Seely, CAR member, President of the Canadian Society of Breast Imaging, Head of Breast Imaging at the Ottawa Hospital and Regional Breast Imaging Lead, and Ontario Screening Program.

Breast Cancer Awareness and the Importance of Screening, Dr. Ania Kielar (October 2020)

E-Poster

Print Poster

CAR Recommendations to Government Take on Heightened Relevance During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 26, 2022

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Canada, and throughout the month the CAR promoted its recommendations for patient breast health and demographic information on the impact of breast cancer on Canadians. With Canada’s healthcare system continually managing the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month places a heightened relevance on the CAR’s recommendations to the Federal Government in the 2023 Pre-Budget Submission. [Read more…] about CAR Recommendations to Government Take on Heightened Relevance During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Canada Safe Imaging (CSI)

About Our Leadership Our Community Radiation Risks International Initiatives Canada Safe Imaging Stars Resources News Contact Us

About

Canada Safe Imaging (CSI) was formed in 2015 to address the need for a national strategy and action plan in Canada, to strengthen medical radiation protection in patients and foster a culture of radiation safety in healthcare in Canada.

CSI represents a collaborative undertaking between government agencies, professional associations, universities, colleges, national research institutions and hospitals. Within each sector, a multi-disciplinary approach has also been adopted, involving partners, researchers, technologists, medical and health physicists and other health care providers using or prescribing the use of radiation.

Canada Safety Imaging is part of a network of radiation safety campaigns worldwide under the auspices of the International Society of Radiology.

Mission

To provide Canadian contextualized guidelines and tools for patient radiation safety.

Responsibilities

Promote knowledge translation and adoption of and adherence to good radiation safety practices and standards as they relate to the Canadian medical environment;
Undertake future potential strategies and initiatives to enhance medical imaging radiation safety and care;
Shape and promote a strategic research agenda for radiation protection of patients in Canada

Context

Today’s medical imaging technologies provide unprecedented visibility into the body. As medical imaging technologies and techniques continue to evolve rapidly so has their utilization and subsequent exposure of patients to ionizing radiation.

Even if the technology has significantly improved and doses of radiation have decreased, the risk of exposure did not disappear and needs to be taken into consideration when tests using ionizing radiations are prescribed. As many things we take for granted, we don’t see any more the risks attached to the technology as it becomes part of our life. But there is a need to remain vigilant, raise awareness and educate healthcare professionals and population at large about the risks and benefits of ionizing radiations in medicine.

In 2012 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an initiative that was supported by 77 countries and 16 organizations, titled the “Bonn Call For Action,” which outlines ten major strategies for promoting radiation protection. In response, a new campaign was formed, which brings together many stakeholders to strengthen medical radiation protection across Canada following an inclusive approach. The delivery of health care is a provincial responsibility but a focused national strategy and a unified effort is needed to ensure radiation safety in medical imaging for all Canadians.

Canada Safe Imaging (CSI) was formed to address this need for a national strategy and action plan as it relates to radiation safety for medical imaging care in Canada.

Our Leadership

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of representatives of the major founding organizations.

David A. Koff, MD, FRCPC
Department of Radiology, McMaster University
Director, MIIRCAM
Chair, Canada Safe Imaging (Hamilton, ON)

David Wormald, MRT (R) (MR), BA, MBA, C.Dir
President, St Joseph Health Centre (Guelph, ON)

Patrik Rogalla, , MD, PhD, MBA
Professor of Radiology; Head, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Division; Site Director, Toronto General Hospital
Deputy Department Head, Innovation; Director, Computed Tomography, Joint Department of Medical Imaging
University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)

Bassem Elshahat, PhD, DABR (DMP), MCCPM (NM)
Assistant Professor; Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (Rochester, MI, USA)

Sandor Demeter, BSc., MD, MHP, FRCPC (Nuclear Medicine, Public Health), ABPM, FACPM, ABNM
Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB)

Helen Chen, BA, MS, PhD
Professor of Practice; Associate Director, Professional Practice Centre for Health Systems, University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON)

Natalia Mozayani, MBA
President and CEO, Radiation Safety Institute of Canada
Radiation Safety Institute of Canada (Toronto, ON)

Our Community

Participating Organisations

Association des Radiologistes du Québec
Canada Health Infoway
Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine
Canadian Association of Radiologists
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
Canadian Interventional Radiology Association
Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC)
Centre d’Expertise Clinique en Radioprotection
Choosing Wisely
MEDEC
Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences
Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale et en radio-oncologie du Québec
Radiation Safety Institute of Canada
Canadian Heads of Academic Radiology
Canadian Radiological Foundation

Radiation Risks

The BEIR report VII

Defines “low level” radiation as a range from near zero up to 100 milliSieverts (mSv)

30-40 times annual natural background exposure
10 times that of a CT Scan
1000 times that of a chest X-Ray.

Linear No Threshold Theory

According to the Linear No Threshold (LNT) theory, the risk of developing a radiation induced cancer (stochastic effects) increases with increasing dose.
This model has been validated at higher acute radiation doses (>100mSv) from the atomic bomb survivors.
The dose level at which there is a significant risk is not known, but for radiationprotection purposes, it is assumed that there is a linear risk down to “0” dose.
For low dose exposures, less than 100 mSv per year, the risk profile is open to discussion.
Different dose risks models have been proposed, going from increased risks to benefits!
The Health Physics Society stated recently that the LNT theory cannot be used for risk cancer estimates.

ALARA Principle

Irrespective of the LNT debate we have to follow best practices and keep radiation exposures and doses “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”.
This is the ALARA principle which means making every effort to maintain exposures to ionizing radiation as far as below the dose limits as practical.
Taking into consideration the state of technology and the economics of improvements in relation to benefits to the public health and safety.

International Initiatives

Bonn Call-for-Action

The conference was co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), hosted by the Government
of Germany and attended by 536 participants and observers from 77 countries and 16 organizations. An important outcome of the conference was the identification of responsibilities and a proposal for priorities for stakeholders regarding radiation protection in medicine for the next decade. This specific outcome is the Bonn Call-for-Action.

The aims of the Bonn Call for Action are to:

Strengthen the radiation protection of patients and health workers overall;
Attain the highest benefit with the least possible risk to all patients by the safe and appropriate use of ionizing radiation in medicine;
Aid the full integration of radiation protection into health care systems;
Help improve the benefit/risk-dialogue with patients and the public; and
Enhance the safety and quality of radiological procedures in medicine.

The Bonn Call-for-Action highlights ten main actions, and related sub-actions, that were identified as being essential for the strengthening of radiation protection in medicine over the next decade. The actions are not listed in order of importance.

The ten main actions:

Justification
Protection and Safety
Manufacturer’s role
Education and training
Research
Global information
Incidents and accidents
Culture
Benefit Risks dialogue
Global requirements

The Bonn Call For Action 5 years later

In December 2017, the IAEA, in partnership with the WHO and the Pan-American Health Organization, hosted the International Conference on Radiation Protection in Medicine: Achieving Change in Practice in Vienna, Austria. The goal of this conference was to provide an overview of the actions and developments since the 2012 Bonn conference.

The conference, with 530 participants from 100 countries, five days of presentations and round tables, acknowledged the work performed in numerous jurisdictions around the world to promote the Bonn Call-for-Action and outlined what more should be done to enhance awareness and implementation.

ISRQSA

The International Society of Radiology Quality and Safety Alliance (ISRQSA)

The International Society of Radiology collaborates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to focus on the implementation of the Bonn Call for Action and the International Radiation Basic Safety Standards (BSS). These standards have been first published by the IAEA in 1996, to establish basic requirements for protection against the risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation and for the safety of radiation sources. They result from the collaboration between multiple international organizations and have been developed from widely accepted radiation protection and safety principles. They have been revised and updated in 2014 taking into account the most recent findings of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and the latest recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

The ISR Quality and Safety Alliance (ISRQSA) drives the ISR’s quality and safety agenda, and acts as a convener and facilitator for continental, regional and national radiation protection, quality and safety campaigns. These campaigns are led primarily by radiologists and supported by their regional societies of radiology. Most of them are multi-stakeholder organizations, with Medical Physicists and Radiographers on board, as promoted by Canada Safe Imaging. These campaigns include Image Wisely and Image Gently in the USA, EuroSafe Imaging, Canada Safe Imaging, AfroSafe Rad English and French, LatinSafe, Japan Safe, Arab Safe, AsiaSafe.

ISRQSA and WHO have worked on a 3 year work plan for 2019-2021 to promote WHO’s initiatives. Besides facilitating the implementation of the International Radiation BSS and the Bonn Call for Action, the plans also addresses focal areas such as justification of medical imaging, multidisciplinary/team approach in the use of medical radiation, radiation risk communication, radiation safety culture in healthcare and use of medical imaging in individual health assessment of asymptomatic persons.

ISRQSA Call for Action

The following ISRQSA Call for Action is proposed to serve as a set of internationally relevant recommendations and guidelines for medical radiation safety, management, and informed use. In fulfilling its mission “…to facilitate the global endeavours of the ISR’s member organizations to improve patient care and population health through medical imaging”, the ISR and its Quality and Safety Alliance will function as both a primary actor as as a facilitator through this Call for Action.

The continental, regional, national initiatives

Canada Safe Imaging Stars

The CSI Executive Committee estimated that Canada would benefit from a system based on the EuroSafe Imaging Stars which identify and recognize imaging facilities that embody best practice in radiation protection (6). These facilities obtain stars on a scale from 1 to 5 based on their level of compliance with recommendations adapted from the Bonn Call for Action.

A Canadian version adapted to our healthcare environment will support the work already performed by Accreditation Canada in providing a more comprehensive tool to assess compliance with international recommendations and best practices.

The Canadian version has also five levels of stars and applicants will have to demonstrate that they fulfill a number of criteria for each level as outlined in table 2 and 3. The criteria have been divided in six sections: optimization, justification, quality and safety, education, research and regulatory compliance.

Resources

Questions about Radiation

The Free Information Service in Radiation Safety provided by the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada offers medical imaging professionals answers to patient and workplace safety questions, as well as answers to direct patient enquiries about imaging procedures’ exposures and their associated risks.

1 800 263 5803 / [email protected]

A similar service is offered in French by the Centre d’Expertise Clinique en Radioprotection.

1 877 839 1217 / [email protected]

Webinars
Coming soon

Publications
Coming soon

General Information
Coming soon

News

RSNA Appoints CAR’s Dr. Bo Gong for Artificial Intelligence Trainee Editorial Board

July 26, 2022

Incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the field of radiology is a significant priority for the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), and one distinctive CAR member has plans to move the matter forward internationally. Dr. Bo Gong, CAR AI Standing Committee member and Editor-in-Training at the CAR Journal (CARJ), has been appointed to the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) AI Trainee Editorial Board for a two-year term that begins in January 2023. [Read more…] about RSNA Appoints CAR’s Dr. Bo Gong for Artificial Intelligence Trainee Editorial Board

The CAR & CHAR: Progressing Radiology as a Specialty Practice Across Canada

June 24, 2022

For over four decades, the Canadian Heads of Academic Radiology (CHAR) have been an expanding authority in promoting radiology education, research, and academic practice among Canadian academic institutions. The CHAR is an association that brings together the Heads of the 16 academic radiology departments in Canadian universities. [Read more…] about The CAR & CHAR: Progressing Radiology as a Specialty Practice Across Canada

Peer Learning

The Canadian Association of Radiologists Working Group on Peer Learning was assembled to review the literature on peer review and peer learning and provide an up-to-date report for the radiology community. This guide provides definitions of terms and a synthetic evidence review regarding peer review and peer learning. It presents important aspects of what makes an effective peer learning program, as well as best practices for implementing such a program. This guide is intended to be a living document that will be updated regularly as new data emerges and peer learning continues to evolve in radiology practices.

Highlights

Peer learning is a quality initiative used to identify potential areas of practice improvement, both on a patient level and on a systemic level. Opportunities for peer learning include review of prior imaging studies, evaluation of cases from multidisciplinary case conferences, and review of radiology trainees’ call cases.
Peer learning is non-punitive and focuses on promoting life-long learning. It seeks to identify and disseminate learning opportunities and areas for systems improvement compared to traditional peer review.
Learning opportunities arise from peer learning through both individual communication of cases reviewed for routine work, as well as anonymized presentation of aggregate cases in an educational format. In conjunction with other tools such as root cause analysis, peer learning can be used to guide future practice improvement opportunities.
This guide provides definitions of terms and a synthetic evidence review regarding peer review and peer learning, as well as medico-legal and jurisdictional considerations. Important aspects of what makes an effective peer learning program and best practices for implementing such a program are presented.

Inaugural Dalhousie Women Physician Leadership Event – A Success!

November 25, 2021

On Saturday, October 23, a group of radiology leaders assembled virtually to discuss women leadership in radiology and to share best practices. Dr. Daria Manos, a professor of radiology at Dalhousie University and President of the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology, a Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) affiliate, championed this initiative with assistance from Dalhousie Radiology and a steering committee of radiologists from across the country. Thanks to support from the CAR, Canadian Radiological Foundation (CRF) as well as GE Healthcare, the 80 participants benefited from an impressive roster of speakers. [Read more…] about Inaugural Dalhousie Women Physician Leadership Event – A Success!

Learn More about CETARS

July 12, 2021

Meet the Canadian Emergency, Trauma and Acute Care Radiology Society (CETARS), one of CAR’s four affiliate societies. CETARS officially joined as a CAR affiliate on July 13, 2020, after the inaugural meeting of their Executive Committee. Working under the direction of the CAR Board of Directors, CAR Affiliate Societies provide the opportunity for close collaboration on education, research, and advocacy activities with the radiology community. Working together the CAR can deliver the most value for members while maintaining distinct mandates. [Read more…] about Learn More about CETARS

Meet the Canadian Society of Pediatric Radiology

June 23, 2021

The Canadian Society of Pediatric Radiology (CanSPR) is a new CAR affiliate society and recently launched their new logo and webpage. CanSPR strives to encourage educational, research and networking connections to maintain the highest standards of pediatric imaging across Canada. Representation of the founding members include senior leading pediatric radiologists from across the country.

Announcing the New President of the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology (CSTR)

May 27, 2021

The CAR would like to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Daria Manos, who assumed the role of President of the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology (CSTR), an Affiliate Society of the CAR, on May 1, 2021. We also want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Dr. Carole Dennie for her amazing leadership and dedication as the founding President of the CSTR. Dr. Dennie will continue to serve on the CSTR Executive in the role as Past President and Dr. Elsie Nguyen will be assuming the role of Vice President.

Canadian Society of Pediatric Radiology (CanSPR)

About Executive Committee Become a Member / Benefits Education Resources Interested in pediatric radiology? Contact Us

About

Canadian radiologists interested in pediatric imaging have long been participating in the European Society of Pediatric Radiology (ESPR) as well as the Society of Pediatric Radiology (SPR) in the United States. Following some networking at a social gathering of the Canadian pediatric radiologists during the SPR annual meeting in Vancouver in 2017, a survey was issued nationwide to ascertain interest with respect to the creation of a Canadian version of the SPR, and the potential roles they saw for this new society. Results of this survey were presented to the Royal College pediatric radiology subspecialty committee and the group approved the decision to pursue creating a Canadian society. A formal proposal was presented to the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Board of Directors during their September 2019 meeting and the motion to approve the Canadian Society of Pediatric Radiology (CanSPR) as an affiliate of the CAR was accepted.

The society strives to encourage educational, research and networking connections to maintain the highest standards of pediatric imaging across Canada. Representation of the founding members include senior leading pediatric radiologists from across the country.

President's Message

“The concept to establish a Canadian Society of Pediatric Radiology was introduced in the early 2000s. A group of keen pediatric radiologists, from the Royal College pediatric radiology subspecialty committee, recognized the need to create a uniquely Canadian forum where pediatric radiologists from across the country could come together to network and discuss local issues and challenges.”

Lucia Carpineta, MD, CM, FRCPC, FABR

Vision

Promoting excellence in pediatric imaging across Canada.

Mission

The Canadian Society of Pediatric Radiology (CanSPR) is a network of radiologists dedicated to promoting and advocating for pediatric imaging. The society aims to promote the highest standards of care through education and creation of evidence-based guidelines and protocols for standardization. It also aims to facilitate networking for research and advocacy for pediatric imaging needs across country.

Goals & Objectives

The CanSPR is founded on members with an interest in advancing knowledge, learning or clinical expertise around pediatric radiology to communicate, meet, mentor and discuss research to further this interest. The society strives to encourage educational, research and administrative connections to maintain the highest standards of pediatric imaging across Canada. The role of CanSPR is to:

Drive the appropriate, proper and safe use of radiological services in the patient-centered care of children
Define principles of practice in the development of pediatric imaging guidelines, standards and appropriateness criteria
Provide access to medical education in the practice of pediatric imaging for trainees and practicing radiologists
Advocate for appropriate resources (human and material) necessary for the delivery of quality pediatric imaging services to Canadian children wherever they are situated
Foster research in all aspects of pediatric imaging

Executive Committee

President:
Lucia Carpineta, MD, McGill University

Vice-President:
Elka Miller, MD, University of Ottawa

Members-at-large
Heather Bray, MD, University of British Columbia
Lucy Jamieson, MD, University of Alberta
Mary Kathleen O’Brien, MD, Dalhousie University
Katya Rozovsky, MD, University of Manitoba
Nina Stein, MD, McMaster University
Sheldon Wiebe, MD, University of Saskatchewan

Radiologist-in-Training
Taehoo Kim, MD, McGill University

Become a Member / Benefits

Become a Member

Membership with the Canadian Society of Pediatric Radiology (CanSPR) is open to all practicing pediatric radiologists, as well as current fellows or residents with an interest in pediatric imaging, who are current members of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR).

Benefits include:

Network, mentor, advance knowledge, and discuss research with other radiologists in the area of pediatric radiology
Participate in guideline development and review
Contribute to the development of educational initiatives within your subspecialty
Opportunity to review resources from your subspecialty and to provide your feedback
Receive bi-annual subspecialty seasonal education newsletters and other communication news
Join a CanSPR subcommittee to participate in research and education projects
Attend the annual CanSPR business meeting at the CAR Annual Scientific meeting
Nominate your colleagues for the Affiliate Society Awards

Membership fees: complimentary

If you are interested in becoming a member of CanSPR please join through the CAR member portal or email [email protected].

Education

Pediatric CME courses, modules and conferences*

The Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR)
The European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR)
Sociedad Latino Americana de Radiología Pediátrica (SLARP)
The Asian and Oceanic Society for Paediatric Radiology (AOSPR)
American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology (ASPNR)
European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR)
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
The World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI)
Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR)
ARLS module
Radiation safety & biology module
MRI safety module (MRI Safety List)

*The events listed offer pediatric imaging educational opportunities. CanSPR isn’t responsible for the content in these meetings nor does it directly endorse these activities.

Training opportunities

Royal College Accredited Programs:
- University of British Columbia - BC Children's Hospital
- University of Alberta - Stollery Children's Hospital
- University of Toronto - The Hospital for Sick Children
- University of Ottawa - Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
- McGill University, Pediatric Radiology - Montreal Children's Hospital/McGill University Health Center
- McGill University, Pediatric Neuroradiology
- Dalhousie University - IWK Health Center
Other programs (not Royal College Accredited):
- University of Calgary - Alberta Children's Hospital
- McMaster University - McMaster Children's Hospital/Hamilton Health Sciences Center

Resources

Technical pediatric imaging

Radiology Practice Resources (coming soon)

Practice readiness checklist (FAQ)
Choosing a practice
Legal/Deontologic frameworks in different jurisdictions
Malpractice & Insurance
Remuneration/billing
Negotiation
Wellness
CME programs and activities
Career planning

Job board

Interested in pediatric radiology?

CAR 2021 Accredited Symposia

February 25, 2021

We are pleased to offer two accredited symposia on Saturday, May 1 in conjunction with the CAR 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. Clinical Perspective and Radiologic Screening for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) Interactive Workshop and Physician Wellness – Burnout in Canadian Radiology: Stories from the Trenches. Both sessions are accredited under Section 1 of the MOC Program of the Royal College.

Meet Dr. Carole Dennie, Member of the CAR and President of the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology

February 25, 2021

Dr. Carole Dennie, cardiothoracic radiologist in Ottawa, is a Fellow of the CAR and President of the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology (CSTR). Her passion is teaching and providing access to continuous learning opportunities to enable the delivery of high-quality service throughout a radiologist’s work lifecycle. Her recent trips to Iqaluit have helped to make medical imaging equipment accessible in remote communities and illustrate that change is possible through active listening.

Meet CAR’s Affiliates

August 24, 2020

Did you know the CAR has Affiliate Societies that members can join?

Affiliates are integrated with the CAR and provide the opportunity for close collaboration on education, research, and advocacy activities with the radiology community. Working together we deliver the most value for members while maintaining distinct mandates.

CARJ Reaches New Heights

July 15, 2020

By Dr. Michael Patlas, CAR Journal Editor-in-Chief

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal

Impact Factor at an All-Time High

The Editorial Board of the CAR Journal (CARJ) is thrilled to announce that the journal’s impact factor has increased to an all-time high of 1.726. I would like to extend a special thank you to my predecessor Dr. Peter Munk for advancing the journal. The growth of impact factor was driven by strong publications related to artificial intelligence, contrast material, and practice guidelines.

Spring Update from the Canadian Society of Thoracic Imaging

May 27, 2019

What a busy year it has been! The CSTR would like to let you know what we’ve been up to this past year and what is coming up next. [Read more…] about Spring Update from the Canadian Society of Thoracic Imaging

Shared vision among CAR members amplifies the voice for all radiologists

April 19, 2018

For more than 80 years, the CAR has been offering Canadian radiologists the opportunity to contribute towards excellence in healthcare via a national conduit. Our reciprocal association members are part of the history and future of radiology in Canada, ensuring the practice gains recognition, understanding and buy-in from key stakeholders. They are made up of the radiology associations/ societies of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Quebec. Their inclusion of a CAR membership allows the CAR to augment the national voice of radiology. Together, all members of the CAR impact patient care and the profession on provincial and national scales. [Read more…] about Shared vision among CAR members amplifies the voice for all radiologists

A Message from Dr. Gilles Soulez, President of the CAR

Dear Colleagues,

It is an honour to serve the radiology community and to represent the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) on the national stage. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to learn from my predecessors, Drs. Mike Barry, Emil Lee, Willie Miller, and Jacques Levesque during my term on the Board, and I plan to build on their success and accomplishments.

I would like to thank the membership for their confidence and to the CAR Board of Directors for selecting me to lead the Association. Over the course of my career, I have had the pleasure of working with many inspirational radiologists through clinical work, teaching, and research activities.

I was born in France but moved to Canada nearly 30 years ago in 1991. I am an interventional radiologist at the Centre Hospitalier Université de Montreal (CHUM) and a Professor of Radiology at the University of Montreal. This will be my sixth year of service on the CAR Board. During that time, I began to realize how the organization was able to promote excellence and shape the future of radiology in a positive way. During my tenure I have seen a lot of change and feel that we have progressed considerably as an organization. I attribute this success to our radiologist volunteers, my fellow Board members and the various Chairs of our committees and working groups.

The pandemic has been one of the biggest healthcare challenges that we have had to face in our lifetime, and I am truly impressed with the radiology community and how we have responded as a profession. In a time of crisis, we demonstrated leadership and tenacity and have strengthened our national Association’s role as the leading expert for medical imaging in Canada as well as internationally. This resilience was possible because of our united voice with the provincial associations and subspecialty societies. Thank you to our partners and affiliate organizations.

As I embark on the Presidency role my focus will be on the CAR’s five pillars for success: Advocacy, Education, Innovation, Patient Care and Engagement.

From an advocacy perspective we are advancing important recommendations at the parliament for our future regarding investment in new equipment. In addition, we are promoting implementation of AI and clinical decision support systems in our clinical practice.

Our online learning management, RAD Academy has been up and running for two years now and has over 115 high caliber education modules. This system has been instrumental in allowing Canadian radiologists to engage in continuing professional development.

The progress accomplished by the CAR Journal is astonishing. Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Michael Patlas and the editorial board, our impact factor increased to 1.7. The journal is an instrumental resource for education of all our members and trainees.

In 2021 we held our first ever Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. Also, under the leadership of Dr Patlas, this event was a huge success and outstanding educational opportunity for radiologists across the country. We are looking forward presenting an in person meeting in 2022 but will do it in a hybrid form to allow our members who cannot travel to attend the event remotely.

On the innovation front we have set our flag in the ground. Under the past leadership of Dr. An Tang and our new AI Standing Committee Chair, Dr. Jaron Chong, the AI working group has done a tremendous job in developing recommendations for the implementation of AI in our clinical practice and have recently introduced a new AI curriculum targeted to the radiology community.

Over the last 5 years the CAR has published nearly 15 guidelines to improve our practice and are rapidly advancing the expansion of our accreditation programs. We also developed 18 COVID related resources to help guide radiologists in their practice throughout the pandemic.

The CAR continues to focus on our members, to be more inclusive and enhance the value proposition of the CAR in making radiologists more successful in their practices. I would like to applaud the outstanding work from the Resident and Fellow Section as well as our members involved in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group.

As we move forward, an important priority for me is bilingualism. As a national specialty Association, it is crucial that we offer our communication and resources in both official languages. With the introduction of a new CAR bilingualism policy, we are making progress in this area.

Over the next few months, we will shift our focus to developing a strategic plan. This plan must be your plan and we need your feedback and involvement. This is your Association, and you have the power, with the support of the CAR, to shape the future of imaging for better practice to provide the best care for patients.

I am excited to start this new chapter of my life and to lead the Association as we continue to grow. I am truly humbled to serve you as the President of CAR.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gilles Soulez
CAR President

Education

Continuing Professional Development Program

As the national specialty society for radiologists in Canada, the CAR has made education a strategic priority; our emphasis on supporting the learning and development of our membership and the Canadian radiology community at large is a key pillar of success.

CAR is committed to promoting lifelong learning and research that helps radiologists contribute to the very best health care for patients. Through our educational programming, we strive to develop, deliver, and promote continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities that help radiologists stay at the leading edge of medical imaging healthcare. As an approved accrediting agent of the Royal College, the CAR also accredits CPD activities developed by other physician organizations.

The foundation of safe and quality care is the knowledge that radiologists acquire through both medical education and the continuing professional development they pursue throughout their career. That is why the CAR contributes to opportunities for lifelong learning and the translation of research into practice.

LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

ACCREDITATION

CPD Activity Accreditation and Support

Collaboration with Other Health Organizations and Creation of a Community of Practice

CAR Annual Scientific Meetings

The CAR annual scientific meetings provide collaborative learning opportunities to enhance radiologists’ knowledge and competencies in diagnostic and therapeutic medical imaging to help deliver optimal quality health care for patients and the Canadian public at large. The meetings, which bring together practicing radiologists and leading researchers from around the world, cover a broad range of subjects designed for both practicing radiologists and radiologists-in-training.

Visit car-asm.ca for more details.

RAD Academy

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a lifelong, systematic, and planned process to maintain and develop professional competence, skills, knowledge, and capabilities. The CAR offers CPD activities for practicing radiologists and radiologists-in-training through its learning platform, RAD Academy.

Looking to fulfill your Royal College Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements for the cycle? RAD Academy is your one-stop-shop for radiology-centric eLearning opportunities from global leaders in Canada. As an exclusive benefit of membership, CAR members have access to this online learning platform, which showcases innovative emerging trends and technologies and ways to improve patient care and strengthen leadership and business acumen in radiology. RAD Academy features a suite of CPD activities eligible for Royal College MOC credit.

RAD Academy also includes a dedicated space for radiologists-in-training, showcasing trainee-specific information and resources. The CAR Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) delivers content ‘for trainees, by trainees’ related to leadership, advocacy, quality and safety, economics, education, and career development.

As the official journal of the CAR, the CARJ brings the latest research, editorials, and clinical practice guidelines to subscribers four times per year, online and in print.

The CAR offers two types of interactive CPD activities derived from each CARJ issue for radiologists to earn continuing professional development (CPD) credits that qualify for credits which can be applied towards the Royal College’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements: Clinical Practice Guideline modules and Insights4Imaging, the CAR’s journal-based self-assessment program.

Accreditation - CPD Activities

Accredited radiology programs and activities offer excellent learning opportunities for medical imaging professionals to stay at the cutting edge in their field. As an approved accredited CPD provider for the Royal College, the CAR accredits CPD activities and programs that fulfill the criteria and requirements identified in the National Standard.

Collaboration with other health organizations

The CAR is always seeking opportunities to work collaboratively with other health organizations on various educational initiatives, including eLearning modules, webinars, workshops, etc. If you have a radiology project or initiative you would like to pursue or would liker to collaborate on, contact [email protected]

Patient Resources

Contrast Agent Use in Medical Imaging: A Roadmap for Patients

The CAR recently developed a contrast agent infographic to inform patients, families, and the public about types of contrast, common uses, and the patient experience with medical imaging that uses contrast. The infographic can be displayed by radiologists in their facilities across Canada and promoted online. It is a patient-facing document that addresses common patient concerns.

Download the web ready PDF

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Common Types of Contrast and Their Use

Patient Journey

Who are radiologists?

Radiologists are doctors who specialize in interpreting medical imaging results and treating conditions using minimally-invasive procedures guided by imaging. If you've undergone an exam or procedure using medical imaging such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, or mammography, then a radiologist has been part of your diagnosis or treatment. Radiologists help patients by:

Analyzing medical imaging to find abnormalities
Communicating results to referring physicians, including a summary of findings, possible diagnoses, and recommended next steps
Treating conditions using minimally-invasive procedures guided by imaging, rather than traditional surgery
Conducting image-guided biopsies
Ensuring safe use of radiation

Our members are respected as experts in using medical imaging technology to promote safe, efficient and quality healthcare for Canadians.

Physicians specializing in medical imaging

Diagnosing an illness or disease and determining if treatment is working often requires physicians and other healthcare providers to see inside the body and look in ways the human eye cannot. A number of different imaging exams can be used to provide this view, including X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, CT scan, and PET scan. Radiologists are the physicians who specialize in interpreting the results of these imaging exams. Family physicians and other specialists turn to radiologists for consultation on the safest and most effective exam, and what the results mean for the patient and the treatment options.

In many cases, you will not meet the radiologist who is working on your behalf. You can trust, however, that they have the knowledge and experience to help you and your doctor make informed decisions about your health care.

Information You Can Use

The CAR believes that patients and their families are at the centre of the healthcare team. That’s why this section of our website contains practical information you can use to make safe and effective choices.

Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness in Canada

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the CAR has created an electronic and print version poster, A Patient’s Journey Through Breast Cancer Screening, for you to showcase at your workplace and through social media. Help us raise awareness for this important cause and promote the essential role of radiologists in diagnosing breast cancer by sharing these resources within your network.

The posters are also available on the CAR website.

The CAR is an active participant of Choosing Wisely Canada(CWC), a physician-led national public education campaign that encourages physicians and patients to engage in conversations about the best choices in tests, treatments and procedures, with a view to helping them make informed and effective decisions that ensure high-quality care.

Click on the following links for resources related to medical imaging procedures made available through CWC:

The CAR is a proud member of the International Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging. For information to help you make informed choices about diagnostic imaging for your child, please visit the Resources for Parents page of the Image Gently website.

The CAR is a partner in the Medical Imaging Team, whose publications help the public identify the role of each of the healthcare professionals (physicians, physicists, sonographers and technologists) who collaborate to improve the health of Canadians through diagnostic imaging.

Among the important patient resources developed by the Medical Imaging Team is a brochure which provides patients with basic information regarding medical imaging to help them make informed decisions about their health. Additional information is also available at the Information for Patients and Their Families page of the Medical Imaging Team website.

RadiologyInfo.org, the Radiological Society of North America’s patient resources website, provides information on various radiology tests and treatments as well as information about how patients can prepare, what they may experience and more.

We consider the information RadiologyInfo.org provides useful for general purposes. However, we must caution that some American radiological procedures and practices are not the same as in Canada and encourage those who have questions or concerns related to medical imaging procedures in Canada to speak with their physician. Please also note that the information is available only in English and Spanish.

Find an Accredited Clinic

As part of our ongoing efforts to promote patient safety and ensure the best healthcare for patients, the CAR accredits radiology clinics whose equipment, processes and people meet the highest standards. Our accreditation program currently applies to mammography clinics. The CAR will soon develop accreditation programs for other types of medical imaging.

Disclaimer: The CAR does not provide medical advice, and does not and cannot respond to requests for direct feedback, specific patient information or physician referrals.

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Breast Cancer Awareness and the Importance of Screening, Dr. Ania Kielar (October 2020)

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Contrast Agent Use in Medical Imaging: A Roadmap for Patients

Social media graphics

Common Types of Contrast and Their Use

Patient Journey

Who are radiologists?

Physicians specializing in medical imaging

Information You Can Use

Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness in Canada

Find an Accredited Clinic

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