Are IR and DR Better Together or

Timothy Crummy, MD, MHA, FACR, and Kurt Schoppe, MD, the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Council Speaker and Vice Speaker, contributed this piece.

As IR has evolved, including its transition to a primary specialty and its unique training pathway, many IRs desire to deliver comprehensive and longitudinal patient care. This evolution, simultaneous with the ongoing explosion of diagnostic imaging volumes, has contributed to stress between the subspecialties. Consequently, some voices are calling for a separation of DR and IR.

We work in non-academic practices with the traditional model of diagnostic and interventional radiologists working together in the same practice. While this has functioned well for both of our groups, we recognize that there is no single, one-size-fits-all approach.

The ACR and Society of Interventional Radiologists (SIR) are eager to help IRs and DRs work together to develop mutually beneficial practice models. They’re hosting a Town Hall, Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30pm ET, where a panel of radiologists representing various practice models will discuss challenges and opportunities. Following the discussion, the panelists will engage in an open Q&A session with attendees. We appreciate the ACR’s and SIR’s willingness to help IRs and DRs work to develop mutually beneficial practice models. We believe that the two organizations working together, including forums such as this Town Hall, is the best way for all of our members to succeed.

Please join us at the important Town Hall conversation. 

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