CAR - Canadian Association of Radiologists

The Canadian Association of Radiologists is the national specialty association for radiologists, dedicated to medical imaging excellence in patient care

Patient Care

News

Improving Access to Medical Imaging for Northern Communities

July 12, 2021

To help improve equality in access to healthcare, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation will be providing funding for an innovative project focused on improving access to healthcare for remote communities. This was made possible through a donation of $1 million from TD Bank Group. Read More

Contrast Agent Use in Medical Imaging: A Roadmap for Patients

June 23, 2021

Contrast use in medical imaging infographic
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. This project was championed by CAR members Drs. Marco Essig (University of Manitoba) and Nick Schieda (University of Ottawa). Read More

CAR Issues New Position Statement on Gonadal and Fetal Shielding for X-ray

May 27, 2021

In response to member requests for formal guidance for radiologists, the CAR issued a position statement on the discontinuation of gonadal and fetal shielding for patients undergoing diagnostic X-ray examination. Routine shielding of patients remains common practice despite current scientific evidence that the practice provides negligible or no benefit and carries a substantial risk of increasing the patient’s radiation dose and compromising the diagnostic efficacy of imaging. Read More

Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guidelines to Support Clinical Decision-Making by Referring Physicians in Canada – Progress Update

April 22, 2021

Physician pointing to digital icons
As previously announced, the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) working in collaboration with national medical bodies and specialty societies is undertaking an update of the 13 Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guidelines. The project mandate is to “Produce a comprehensive set of evidence-based diagnostic imaging referral guidelines as a public good that are context-specific to the Canadian healthcare system. These guidelines will be produced following the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations (GRADE) framework, with recommendations integrated into a clinical decision support (CDS) system.” The inaugural working group meeting took place in January 2021, where Trauma was selected as the pilot section for this new initiative. Read More

MAP is Going Digital

April 22, 2021

MAP accreditation software dashboard

We are pleased to announce that the CAR Mammography Accreditation Program (MAP) is going digital.

In spring 2021, the CAR will launch a new accreditation information system. With the new system, MAP-accredited facilities and associated personnel will provide all required information and documents exclusively online, including images. The new portal will also provide detailed guidance at each stage of the accreditation process. Questions and concerns about accreditation requirements can be addressed quickly and easily from within the portal. Read More

Introducing the CAR/CSTR Lung Cancer Screening Education and Accreditation Project

January 22, 2021

Tree lung
Today, the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) in partnership with the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology (CSTR) is pleased to announce the initiation of a national project focused on the development of a new national lung cancer screening accreditation program and specialized education in CT lung cancer screening for radiologists. This project has been made possible through collaboration and financial support from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (the Partnership). Read More

Working Together Towards Enhanced and Measured Patient Referrals

December 17, 2020

Announcing a Canadian Association of Radiologists’ project to enhance patient referrals, in collaboration with national specialty societies. Today, the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), with support from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), is pleased to announce the initiation of a national project focused on the integration of diagnostic imaging referral guidelines into digital Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems in Canada. Canada’s radiology community will co-develop national referral guidelines for medical imaging, helping to support referring physicians in selecting the best imaging tests for their patients. These evidence-based, peer-reviewed guidelines will be made freely available to guide healthcare professionals in their implementation of CDS systems to enhance care and enable better communication among physicians. Read More

Mammography Accreditation During COVID-19 – Guidance on the Number of Reads

November 26, 2020

Letter from Dr. Nancy Wadden, Chair MAP Steering Committee

Earlier this month the CAR provided guidance to the Mammography Accreditation Program (MAP) facilities regarding program requirements given that most facilities across the country have resumed their services following disruptions caused by the pandemic. In 2021, the CAR will review the volumes of facilities and radiologists based on the entire previous calendar year (Jan 1-Dec 31, 2020). Read More

COVID-19: What radiologists are saying

April 22, 2020

Thanks for taking the time to complete our second survey on the response to COVID-19. The second survey that was sent on March 30th provides further insights into how hospitals, the health system and members are responding to the pandemic. Read More

The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) and the Canadian Society on Thoracic Radiology (CSTR) Recommendations on COVID-19 Management in Imaging Departments

March 26, 2020

The purpose of these recommendations is to provide guidance and information to the radiology community regarding the safe conduct of imaging and image-guided intervention in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. For more information regarding image-guided procedures you can refer to specific guidelines issued by the CAIR and the CAR. Read More

The Role of Radiologists in COVID-19: Recommended Workflow in Diagnosis

March 26, 2020

By Dr. Michael Patlas MD, FRCP, FASER FCAR FSAR These are difficult times for our healthcare system as a global pandemic sweeps the world. Reports of confirmed cases are on a steady incline and every day we are hearing more and more stories on impacted nations including our own. Radiologists have an important role to play in the diagnosis and assessment of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Read More

Canadian Society of Breast Imaging and Canadian Association of Radiologists Joint Position Statement on COVID-19

March 26, 2020

In this unprecedented time, every action that we take now can have a profound impact on our patients, our colleagues, technologists and families. To comply with recommendations for social distancing in order to blunt the spread of COVID -19 (novel coronavirus) and avoid significant impact to our patients and staff, the CSBI and CAR recommend that all average risk and high-risk screening mammography, ultrasound and breast MRI be discontinued temporarily with immediate effect. These should be postponed for 6-8 weeks. Read More

MAP extending CPD cycles by 6 months

March 26, 2020

With the evolving COVID-19 situation, many conferences have and are being cancelled. We acknowledge and understand that many of the medical professionals affected may not have access to the required continuing professional development (CPD) credits to maintain the MAP approved status in the coming months. Read More

Continuing Professional Development Update – the CAR has you covered!

March 26, 2020

In an effort to ensure that our members remain at the forefront of medical imaging healthcare and maintain as well as enhance their proficiencies, the CAR is working diligently with the Royal College to devise strategies for compliance with respect to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements. Read More
X