The introduction of digital imaging in all fields of radiology and digital workflow using RIS and PACS has led to fundamental changes in the daily work of many radiologists. Therefore, radiologists should know some fundamental facts about the underlying IT concepts.
Knowledge in this field can help in decision-making on the acquisition of new IT systems, in the evolution of workflows, in discussion with IT administrators, and in other situations. It is not necessary to become an IT expert, but to have an idea of current concepts and IT tools, which could help radiologists improve their daily work.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Subcommittee of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) has prepared some informative posters on different topics:
- Introduction and Overview on DICOM and Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE)
- Workstation Development and Multimodality Viewing
- Structured Reporting
- Image Sharing with Portable Media
- Image Compression
- Radiation Exposure Monitoring
- eLearning - Overview of ESR Activities
- Integrating Teaching Files into PACS using IHE TCE
- eHealth - Developments and Initiatives in Europe
This combination of topics will provide European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2011 participants with current high-quality information on the following:
- The concepts of DICOM, which is the standard in medical imaging, and IHE, which is an initiative to enhance interoperability of modalities and information
- The development of the reporting workflow, which has changed completely during the past decade, now including 3D imaging, CAD, and new concepts in reporting
- Technical developments to enhance the documentation and tracking of radiation exposure; new recommendations on the use of image compression, or image sharing with portable media (e.g., CD, DVD, USB memory)
- How to use the digital infrastructure to improve activities in research and education
- The development of e-health and influence of radiology
- An international high-level expert panel on 'Image Compression' initiated by the ESR.
The results of this work were accepted as an ESR Position Paper in December 2010.
ECR attendees will also have a chance to meet experts in this area. Interested visitors are welcome to share their experience and expertise with the ICT Subcommittee.
Visit the ICT information booth in Foyer A on the second level.
Peter Mildenberger is the ESR ICT Subcommittee chairman.
Originally published in ECR Today March 5, 2011.
Copyright © 2011 European Society of Radiology
