For only the seventh time in their respective histories, the German Radiology Society (DRG) and the Austrian Radiology Society (ÖRG) are collaborating on a combined congress to be held in May in Hamburg, Germany, under the slogan "Radiology is diagnosis and therapy."
Dr. Stefan Diederich from Düsseldorf (left). Dr. Johannes Lammer from Vienna.The congress presidents of the DRG, Dr. Stefan Diederich (from Düsseldorf), and of the ÖRG, Dr. Johannes Lammer (from Vienna), are preparing a program with a special purpose: It is intended to heighten awareness of the fact that radiologists do not just diagnose but also carry out minimally invasive or noninvasive treatment. The Radiology Congress (Röko) will take place from 28 to 31 May 2014 at the Congress Centrum Hamburg (CCH).
"Radiology is a multifaceted discipline. The first phase is obviously the diagnosis of disease -- but it is just as much about treatment," Diederich explained.
A practical ultrasound training course, called Sono 4 U, will be a new feature at the Hamburg congress in May.According to Lammer, "Whichever treatment is ultimately applied -- surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or interventional therapy -- it is increasingly influenced by radiologists. This will also be highlighted at the congress, because we are going to set up tumor boards here for very diverse groups of pathologies."
The two congress presidents will each bring their own clinical and research expertise to the Röko. For Diederich, this is thoracic and oncologic imaging. Both fields are extremely closely linked to interventional radiology, which is Lammer's specialty.
Both experts also place great importance on the topic of the conventional radiograph and its continued potential.
"We have noticed that there is less and less focus on classical radiological assessment," Diederich warned. "But we want to train the next generation to a high level while also sending a signal to other disciplines: Radiology sees it as its duty to prepare the best possible radiographs and then make the best possible interpretation of them. This means that the radiologist is still the specialist who assesses radiographs -- it is not the orthopedic specialist, the surgeon, or the physician."
'The Brightest Minds for Radiology': DRG expects 300 medical students
The congress presidents have the next generation very much at heart, because it is especially important in these times of a potential shortfall in the number of doctors that we take care of our own next generation, Lammer elaborated. The Röko is once again presenting a broad program with tailor-made events for students of human medicine. One new event is the Sono 4 U course, a project organized jointly by Germans and Austrians. There is also the well-known and tried-and-tested sponsorship program, "The Brightest Minds for Radiology," in which radiologists sponsor an outstanding medical student.
Comprehensive program for MTRAs
The range of topics at the Röko is also reflected in the wide-ranging medical-technical assistant radiologists (MTRAs) program, according to the presidents. "These themes are complemented by topics specific to MTRAs such as MTRA abroad and the important subject of radiation protection," Lammer said.
Vendors will showcase their products and services in 5,000 square meters of exhibition space at the CCH.5,000 square meters of exhibition space
Radiology is closely tied to advances in medical technology and innovative developments, so every year the DRG offers a large number of companies the opportunity to showcase their products and services in 5,000 square meters of exhibition space at the CCH.
Editor's note: This article is an edited version of a translation of a press annoucement made in German and published online by the German Radiology Society (DRG,Deutsche Röntgengesellschaft). Translation by Syntacta Translation & Interpreting.
