Making the Most of Your ACR Membership
As members of the ACR—whether it is on the chapter or national level, as a resident, fellow, or seasoned radiologist—the College continues to provide the latest educational tools and professional programs, invaluable networking and peer recognition in all areas of expertise, and a strong, united voice on Capitol Hill.
Educational Tools
New PSE Syllabus Set for November Launch
The ACR's latest addition to its highly respected professional self-evaluation syllabi series, Ultrasound III, is set to debut at the ACR's booth (#3950) at this year's annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago. The latest syllabus marks the 50th volume in the long-running series that was first introduced in 1972 with Chest Disease. Today, 33 years later, the PSE series continues to be one of radiology's most popular learning tools for practicing radiologists and residents alike.
Ultrasound III continues a tradition at the ACR of providing classic and cutting-edge imaging information with reader-friendly text. The books contain practical clinical information for daily diagnostic work, presented with unknown case images and relevant top questions and answers that are most helpful for lifetime learning and American Board of Radiology exam preparation. Ultrasound III brings together an outstanding lineup of radiologist-authors, each a recognized expert in the field of ultrasound, and 23 challenging cases.
The PSE Editor in Chief is ACR Fellow Harris L. Cohen, MD; ACR Fellow Michael C. Hill, MD, serves as the volume's associate editor. ACR Fellow Barbara S. Hertzberg, MD, of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, serves as section chair for this volume.
As with previous volumes, Ultrasound III includes the test questions and a comprehensive syllabus printed in the familiar PSE format. The ACR scores answer sheets and mails written acknowledgments of 20 hours of Category 1 CME credit.
The next volume in the PSE series, Neuroradiology III, is expected in early 2006. Work is already under way on volume 52 in the series, Chest Disease VI, expected in early 2007.
Watch the ACR Web site for the latest information on how to order copies of Ultrasound III.
Case-in-Point Program
The College's most recent online education tool, Case-in-Point, has enjoyed unprecedented success since its debut on the ACR Web site in June 2005. This is the latest dynamic addition to the College's LifeLong LearningSM initiative.
Residents and diagnostic radiologists may test their knowledge daily with cases representing some of the most challenging issues in radiology today. Each case is written and peer-reviewed by experts in the radiology field. Cases focus on a variety of topics that cover the 10 radiology subspecialties, providing a zoom and pan of the case's images, in-depth case questions and answers, and key learning points for each individual case. Each weekday case includes a history, findings, images, interactive elements, discussion, and references. They also include interactive questions with explanations for correct and incorrect options, a feature that distinguishes Case-in-Point from other online radiology teaching tools. Cases are presented and archived daily; they may be searched by subspecialty, topic, keywords, ACR indexing code, organ system, and modality. Available on the ACR Web site, Case-in-Point makes learning fun.
New Resident and Fellow Section Web Site
In addition to receiving all standard membership benefits on a complimentary basis, residents and fellows will soon enjoy a special Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) Web site (http://rfs.acr.org), scheduled to debut in November. The new Web site will include special RFS program features such as a learning center, current issues, jobs beyond residency, housing options, discussion forums, and other topics of interest to residents and fellows and is designed to empower and inform. The RFS site has been described as an investment in the future—the future of radiology.
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"The ACR has evolved into the leader in radiology due to its ability to effect changes that benefit radiologists." William Thorwarth, Jr, MD, FACR |
Advocacy Protects Radiology's Future
Many RFS members have come to realize that federal and state legislation can have an important impact on the profession of radiology. The ACR's Government Relations department is the College's advocacy arm and is dedicated to strengthening the radiology profession's outreach to Congress on a wide range of legislative issues, including the inappropriate utilization of diagnostic medical imaging modalities, medical liability reform, reauthorization of the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992, reduction of physician fees reimbursed by Medicare, and teleradiology.
Equally important, RADPAC is a bipartisan, multicandidate political action committee of the American College of Radiology Association (ACRa). Its goal is to support and elect pro-radiology candidates at the federal level through the voluntary contributions of dues-paying ACRa members. RADPAC works through the political process to keep the concerns of radiologists in the legislative forefront. From the Radiology Political Action Committee (RADPAC) to active lobbying on Capitol Hill, the ACR continues to protect the interests of its members. (For more information, visit www.radpac.org)
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"The ACR actively invests in the future of radiologists by ensuring the profession upholds the highest standard and quality that is currently available, while protecting the professional from others who have a self-vested interest in imaging…" Amy Kirby, MD |