“Looking at the bigger picture."

For this year’s UKRC, key topics will include cardiac imaging, molecular imaging, advances in computed tomography, baryatric and breast imaging. Satellite symposia with industry partners will also look at hybrid imaging systems, digital radiography, dual energy CT and dose reduction. On the first day of the congress, the "Sustaining a no-wait culture" event will be held in close collaboration with the Department of Health. “Waiting times in radiology sometimes range from weeks to months,” says Dr Davies. “This year’s Radiology Congress will provide delegates with opportunities to find out more about the process - both in formal lectures and in an informal networking café-style event.”

Apart from efficient, patient-focused service delivery and dose-efficient imaging strategies, the congress will also look at another challenge for the UK radiology community: “The quality of digital integration within and across organisations is an important issue,” says Dr Davies. "When patients go from one hospital to another or if a case has to be discussed in another hospital, radiologists typically need easy access to the images. At the congress, we will discuss an effective PACS implementation across hospitals which could improve the current situation.”

The congress presents abstracts on a variety of subjects, from service delivery to clinical studies. “We are looking at the bigger picture,” says the UKRC president. “All posters and presentations present a clear message, supported by appropriate data. It’s all about communications and we are keen to see posters reflecting the messages that the members of the radiology community wish to transmit to each other.”

In contrast to large international meetings such as RSNA or ECR, the UKRC is an affordable meeting, easy for UK delegates to attend. If funding or a lack of time does not allow them to spend several days at a congress, radiologists or radiographers can attend for one day only and still benefit from educational and networking opportunities within the UK radiology community. “This multi-disciplinary radiology congress represents a major networking opportunity for the radiology community in the UK,” says Dr Davies. “We want everybody to be there, radiologists, radiographers, physicists, scientists and healthcare technology companies. It’s the prime event on the UK radiology calendar.” 

The congress’ technical exhibition is evolving, with companies developing satellite sessions and education on their stands. “For the first time, several companies will stage short educational events on their stands, for which delegates can gain educational credits,” says Dr Davies. “In the next few years we expect the educational innovations for this year’s congress to be consolidated and developed and we expect the number of delegates attending the congress to continue to grow.”

Dr Davies works as consultant radiologist at Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, South Wales. He is President of the UK Radiology Congress for 2008 and 2009 and Vice President Elect of the British Institute of Radiology.