Among the most important events at RSNA 2005 (the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting in Chicago, Nov. 27 - Dec. 2) the are the educational sessions. This year, offerings include a series of hands-on computer workshops to provide basic training for radiologists. Attendees will have an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the use of computers in radiology from experts in the field.

Topics include: Training on state-of-the-art computer equipment, integrating computers into radiology practice, Radiology Information Systems (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), and new techniques used for computer-assisted diagnosis.

Commercial leaders in the industry have reserved classroom space (near the infoRAD/IHE exhibit area of the conference) to conduct classes on their respective proprietary computer systems, including: AGFA Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Siemens Medical Solutions, Philips Medical Systems, Eastman Kodak, and Apple Computer, Inc.
Preregistration is advised because attendance is limited.

This year's offerings also include a Digital Mammography Self-Assessment Workshop that was a hit at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) in Vienna, Austria, and at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology in Sydney, Australia. This is the first time it will be offered in the U.S.

"This is an exciting opportunity for participants to practice and improve their mammography interpretation skills," said RSNA Assistant Executive Director of Research and Education Linda B. Bresolin, Ph.D., M.B.A., C.A.E.

In traditional training sessions, slides are used as a way to replicate a digital workstation. Participants look at images and discuss them, but they can't manipulate the images. At the RSNA workshop, state-of-the-art diagnostic and screening workstations will be used.

"It is important that radiologists and radiology residents receive hands-on experience in reading and manipulating digital mammography cases on diagnostic and screening workstations, and have the ability to assess their skills in that area," explained RSNA Board Liaison for Education Theresa C. McLoud, M.D. "It is a fabulous learning opportunity."

In September, the results from the largest randomized trial ever on the comparison of digital mammography with standard film mammography were revealed. The Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST) confirmed that digital mammography is more accurate for women with dense breasts, and was also more beneficial than standard mammography for women under the age of 50 and pre- and perimenopausal women. (An expanded article on DMIST will appear in the November issue of RSNA News.)

The digital mammography workshops will be held every hour, seven times per day. Participants can register for a one-hour session in advance at rsna2005.rsna.org or they can register onsite in Chicago. Because this type of workshop has been very popular in the past, advance registration is highly recommended. Continuing medical education (CME) credit is available.

Watch DOTmed for further previews and updates on what to expect in Chicago. For meeting information, go to: http://rsna2005.rsna.org/rsna2005/V2005/index.cvn.

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