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

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

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

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

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

Re-starting the continuum of patient care – guidance for the resumption of radiology services

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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

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

A normal chest CT scan cannot exclude the diagnosis of COVID-19 especially for patients with recent onset of symptoms. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the final diagnosis of COVID-19 infection should be confirmed by a positive RT-PCR test. Read More

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

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

The CAR is offering 6 or 18-month STATdx subscriptions beginning May 1, 2020. Subscribe by April 15, 2020, to begin your 6-month subscription for only $275 CAD plus tax or 18-month subscription for $750 CAD plus tax.

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This handy infographic by the Vancouver General Hospital details the best practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

 

For the last four years, the CAR priority has been advocating and securing a federal investment in a medical imaging inventory across the country. As our members are aware, we had considerable movement in 2019, specifically during the federal election in October. Read More

I am confident with the direction that the CAR is heading and the progress that our association is making. Canadians have become more aware of the value of radiology and the role that radiologists play in the healthcare team. Read More

With a dedicated team of colleagues, Dr. Brian Archer has introduced endovascular stroke treatment for New Brunswick patients. In doing so, he has demonstrated what is possible for other small healthcare centres across Canada. Read More

As you are aware, the 2019 federal election resulted in a minority Liberal government. This presents a great opportunity for the CAR to build on our advocacy efforts and past successes. Leading up to the election the CAR was active, working with the various political parties to move our health policy efforts forward. Read More

It's time to renew your 2020 CAR membership!

We have been hard at work adding new benefits for CAR members to increase the value of membership. Renew before December 15, 2019, for a chance to win a stay at Le Westin Montreal. Read More

The CAR’s recent  position statement on Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), published in the August 2019 issue of the CARJ has received quite a bit of attention from radiologists as well as other related physicians. After only a few weeks, the POCUS position statement received thousands of Twitter impressions. Read More

New Module on Rad Academy: Updated Clinical Practice Guideline on the Use of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in Kidney Disease

Last month the Updated Clinical Practice Guideline on the Use of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in Kidney Disease was released in the August 2019 issue of the CARJ. In collaboration with Dr. Nicola Schieda (The Ottawa Hospital and The University of Ottawa), the CAR has developed a complementary module to support the updated guideline and provide an overview of key takeaways. Read More