On August 3, 2018, the CAR will submit our pre-budget submission to the Standing Committee on Finance. Our major asks this year will focus on four areas: additional funding for modern medical imaging equipment, $625 million over 5 years; an investment of 3 million in medical imaging equipment in Northern communities to help with the eradication of Tuberculosis; an investment in a Clinical Decision Support system to promote better access to up-to-date medical imaging referral guidelines and a request for the government to take a leadership role in Artificial Intelligence in radiology research and establishing a framework for oversight. Read More
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CDS Symposium – Breaking Ground for Imaging Referral Guidelines in Canada!
On June 8, 2018 the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) hosted a symposium to discuss Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems and how they could be implemented in Canada. CDS provides referring front-line physicians, such as general practitioners and emergency physicians, access to the latest referral guidelines ensuring the right tests are ordered the first time.
The meeting was a success with over 40 people in attendance. There was participation from various provincial health authorities, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, Choosing Wisely Canada, Canadian Health Infoway, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the CAR Referral Guidelines Working group as well as our corporate partners and some vendors specific to the CDS market. The keynote speaker, Dr. Denis Remedios, representing the Royal College of Radiology, travelled from England to impart his knowledge and experience with CDS systems and delivered an engaging and informative presentation on the current state of diagnostic imaging guidelines and rollout of a singular CDS structure across the UK.
The CAR’s main objective was to receive expert guidance on integrating referral guidelines into CDS.
The discussions that took place and available research on CDS demonstrate that CDS systems will guide more appropriate patient care. More appropriate does not mean less care, it means having the right care provided initially. More appropriate care also means better access to timely care. Timeliness manifests itself not only for the individual but also by decreasing wait-times for Canadians.
The benefits to patients and physicians are clear. Patients receiving appropriate care leads to improved patient outcomes, reduced congestion in hospitals and medical imaging clinics and produces greater value for the system. CDS systems can also empower physicians by offering increased options for diagnostic imaging in helping to treat patients with uncommon cases.
The outcomes for the meeting include the CAR playing a leadership role in facilitating implementation of a comprehensive diagnostic imaging CDS system in Canada. There will be challenges in introducing a singular CDS solution into the Canadian health care market: however, in the coming months the CAR will engage stakeholders in the process to develop a strategy for CDS integration, which can be viable.
Dr. Martin Reed
Chair, Referral Guidelines Working Group
When Science Meets Art!
Profiling a radiologist who bridges the gap between medicine and humanity!
Dr. Kari Visscher is a radiologist specializing in Musculoskeletal Imaging. She recently completed a fellowship in Ottawa and will be working as a staff radiologist at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, Ontario starting in July 2018. Read More
Call for Nominations – CAR BOD
Are you interested in making a difference in radiology in Canada? Want to be more involved with national initiatives impacting your profession? The CAR is seeking individuals to come forward and express their interest in becoming part of the CAR Board of Directors. There are two available positions for Ontario and Saskatchewan. Read More
Membership Working Group – seeking volunteers!
In the coming month, the CAR will be establishing a membership working group. The purpose of this working group is to help in enhancing the value proposition of membership and to offer valuable input from our members into future initiatives. The time commitment would be limited to approximately one hour per month. There would be exceptions for larger projects and campaigns. If you are interest, we want to hear from you. Please forward your information to [email protected].
Raising the bar for quality improvement
Earlier this month, the CAR joined the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). ISQua is an essential resource for policy makers, leading patient safety agencies, health care workers and various health professional around the world. By joining ISQua, the CAR is continuing its ongoing commitment to providing high quality accreditation services for mammography in Canada. Read More
New from the CAR: Access high quality, blended learning opportunities with RAD Academy, the CAR’s e-Institute for CPD
The CAR is developing a customized learning management system (LMS), exclusively available to its members. The platform will feature innovative eLearning opportunities from global leaders in radiology on emerging trends and technologies, ways to improve patient care, strengthen leadership and business acumen in radiology. The CPD activities on the platform will equip CAR members with the information, knowledge, and strategies needed to advance the radiology profession. Read More
Multi-Disciplinary National Survey: A Clinical Prediction Rule for Acute Aortic Dissection
Dr. Ohle, an emergency physician at Health Science North, Sudbury, is requesting your participation in a multi-disciplinary survey of emergency medicine physicians, cardiologists, vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons and radiologists titled: a clinical prediction rule for acute aortic dissection: a multi-disciplinary national survey. Read More
2018 Fellow of the CAR Recipients
The CAR recognized the inaugural class of Fellows of the Canadian Association of Radiologists. Recognition as a Fellow of the CAR demonstrates a history of service to the Association and the profession of radiology as a whole.
Read More
Negotiation? Not usually part of my work, and when it is, I’m fine at it
By Bruce B. Forster MSc, MD, FRCPC
Professor and Head
Department of Radiology
UBC Faculty of Medicine
The above is a common response of physicians as a whole, not just radiologists, and yet negotiation is something that we all do every day, with parties ranging from members of our practice group, referring MDs, nurse/technologists/clerks, patients, administrators, government, vendors….and family members! And not uncommonly the party with whom we negotiate, at work at least, is equipped with considerable knowledge of the art and science of negotiation, putting us at a significant disadvantage.
Read More
Welcome New Members to the CAR Board of Directors
Congratulations to our newest members of the CAR Board of Directors! Please welcome the following individuals as your national representatives:
Dr. Lindsay Cherpak
Dr. Marta Hernanz-Schulman
Dr. Daniel Petrie
Dr. Pierre Bourgouin Read More
Sonographers are now regulated in Ontario!
Important information about the regulation of diagnostic medical sonographers
Sonographers are now regulated with the CMRTO
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has made the necessary regulations for CMRTO to regulate diagnostic medical sonographers as a fifth specialty. These regulations made under the Medical Radiation Technology Act came into force on January 1, 2018. Read More
The CAR is Strengthening its Team
Please join us in welcoming Natalie St-Pierre, Director, Marketing and Communications to the CAR team. Natalie is a seasoned professional with over 18 years’ experience in the healthcare field and a depth of knowledge in marketing, communications and advocacy. Formerly employed in senior management roles with the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants and Canadian Blood Services Read More
Success: CAR 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting
From April 26-29, the radiologists from across Canada headed to Montreal for the CAR 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting. The theme Artificial Intelligence in Radiology: Present and Future was a great success and drew people to the meeting in record numbers. There were more than 560 participants, including a significant increase in the number of trainees who were able to attend. Read More
#CAR2018 — grounded by engaging our community and focused on our future
Connecting with our members. Providing value. The CAR is into its fourth month of the strategic plan – which aims to do just that. The five pillars of the plan are: Advocacy, Patient Care, Education, Research and Innovation, Engagement. Read More
Canadian Association of Radiologists White Paper on Artificial Intelligence in Radiology
Coming soon to the CARJ
The CAR’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group, chaired by Dr. An Tang (Université de Montréal) is pleased to announce the publication of its White Paper on Artificial Intelligence in Radiology in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal. Read MoreWhere Radiologists see the added value of machine learning
(Sponsored Article)
AI and machine learning are set to disrupt the practice of radiology. How and to what extent, we do not yet fully know. What does the ideal combination of radiologists and machine learning look like? Who is in the driver’s seat and when? Using a case of prostate cancer as a clinical example, Sectra asked radiologists in Scandinavia, Benelux, and the US for their perspectives on machine learning in radiology. Read More
2018 CAR Award Recipients Announced
The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s prestigious CAR Gold Medal Award, the CAR Distinguished Career Achievement Award, and the CAR Young Investigator Award. These awards recognize CAR members who have distinguished themselves as leaders and innovators in radiology, demonstrating exemplary practice in their work and service to the profession of radiology. Read More
Top 5 reasons to attend CAR 2018
The CAR Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) attracts nearly 500 participants every year from across Canada and the globe to network, learn, present, inspire and be recognized among peers. CAR 2018 will be our most innovative and technologically-driven meeting ever. Here are the top 5 reasons to attend: Read More
CAR members featured in Maclean’s special section on cancer care in Canada
Maclean’s magazine recently featured a special section on the advancements in cancer care in Canada. Three prominent CAR members were asked to contribute their expertise on how their patients benefit from the latest trends in medical imaging cancer screening. Read More