The RSNA Buzz

There is nothing like it. Thousands of people streaming through the halls of McCormick Place from all over the world looking for the latest in imaging science and technology, and connecting our community for one crazy week. It’s a chance to learn new things and meet old friends. The excitement about our profession and the ways in which we can influence the health of our patients and our population was palpable and certainly kept me going though long days with miles of walking and a total of seven talks  that I gave throughout the week.

My #RSNA14 started with what was for me a really special refresher course. I shared the podium with Drs. Dan Kopans and Carol Lee, two legends in the field, for the Breast Imaging State of the Union.  It has been 21 years since I was Dan’s Fellow at MGH and I felt so honored to be presenting with him. I’m committed to making sure that his passion and encyclopedic knowledge of the scientific support for mammography screening is passed on to a new generation of breast imaging leaders and we’re working together with many other breast imaging leaders to develop a program that will prepare radiologists to defend this life-saving program and ensure access for the women we serve.

The recent publication of an article in The New York Times on how Radiologists are talking to patients about their results that featured the Radiology Cares and Imaging 3.0 concepts, and for which I was interviewed, was a really positive sign that our profession is coming out of the shadows. The other radiologist that contributed was Dr. Jennifer Kemp who leads the RSNA’s Patient-Centered Radiology steering committee. She spoke movingly about how the experience of her husband’s cancer treatment and the anxiety of waiting for results changed her view of whether radiologists should speak with patients. I was delighted that we were able to find a few moments to grab a drink and look for ways we can work together.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"30019","attributes":{"alt":"Geraldine McGinty, MD, MBA, FACR ","class":"media-image media-image-right","id":"media_crop_7076925406881","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"3138","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","style":"height: 241px; width: 160px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 1px; float: right;","title":"Geraldine McGinty, MD, MBA, FACR ","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

I chair an International Economics Group for the ACR that has recently published a paper on practice patterns across our various countries and we typically have breakfast during the RSNA meeting. This year, we have added some members in training from France and Romania as well as from UCSF. It’s always a fascinating look at the similarities (doing more with less, aging populations) and the differences (no job shortages in Israel, France, and the UK!). Our next projects will focus on screening programs and the factors that impact medical students’ choice to go into radiology.

I’m one of the more active Tweeters at the meeting (@DrGMcGinty) which is a way to get the word out about sessions that I think will be great as well as to have some fun with our #RSNA14 community. #RSNAshoes was trending again this year!