Real Problems — Real Solutions

Kevin Haines, DO, Diagnostic Radiology Resident at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, contributed this piece.

The American Board of Radiology (ABR) Noninterpretive Skills CORE exam topics have caught a lot of flak from trainees in the past. The sentiments may be due to a lack of image correlation, new and nuanced language, and some external interpretational flair (Prometheus… looking at you). Yet, despite our diverse training environments, this exam serves as our common denominator; it demands a balance of ‘minimal competence’, real world exposure and forward thinking regarding the future of Radiology as a specialty. 

Understandably, with the 2025 CORE Exam looming, many residents are refocusing attention and narrowing resources. A key piece of material recently updated is the 2025 Noninterpretive Skills (NIS) Study Guide provided by the ABR.  

The leap from residency to attending-hood is unique for each trainee. However, without a doubt, there will be components of quality, safety and informatics outlined by the NIS Study Guide which are heavily intertwined into your professional career. It is up to you how you want these concepts structured, rolled out and paid for at your organization. 

My opportunity to join the ACR Quality and Safety + Informatics (QS+I) Conference has proved to be more relevant than I initially anticipated. Beyond the opportunity to gain a mentor and expand my professional horizons, I've come to appreciate how essential a solid grasp on quality and informatics vocabulary is — and just how difficult it can be to implement even small-scale institutional changes.  The cost for any new skill will always include time and effort — the compounding benefits of early QS+I communication skills will reach peers, researchers, administrators and likely impact professional and academic evaluations for promotions. 

I encourage others to take advantage of QS+I 2025 and expand your own perspectives. The agenda is shaping up to address timely topics such as dealing with the impact of workforce shortages on safety, balancing reporting of incidental findings with actionable insights, governance of AI, and improvement stories related to community and populations health.  Spattered across these sessions there will be nuggets of insight and connections with your colleagues. 

Fields of Quality, Safety and Informatics have surged and are being heavily integrated into every aspect of the Healthcare system. Embracing these concepts will prepare you beyond an exam, they will shape the future of our specialty.  

I urge fellow trainees and early career professionals to join me for QS+I 2025 to gain a broader understanding and adopt a new perspective on these integral components. This year’s conference will take place Sept. 9-11 in San Diego, CA, with a virtual attendance option.