DOTmed is on site again this year for the world's largest radiology conference and exhibition, the Radiological Society of North America's (RSNA) Annual Meeting, held November 29-December 4 at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center.

Aside from the conference's grand-scale plenary sessions and professional symposia, more than 1,700 educational exhibits and presentations on 1,750 scientific papers in 16 sub-specialties are keeping attendees informed about the latest in the industry. Session topics include informatics and issues of radiation dose, health policy and research, and a full range of radiology sub-specialties, including breast imaging, neuroradiology, molecular imaging, radiation oncology, radiobiology, and vascular and interventional radiology.

Many show-goers have mentioned that attendance appears to be down significantly this year. RSNA organizers say more than 55,000 attendees have registered for the 95th RSNA Annual Meeting, but actual attendee numbers will not be available until early next year.

"While the RSNA Annual Meeting continues its role as a pre-eminent scientific and educational forum, it also serves a number of broader functions," RSNA president Gary J. Becker, M.D., told DOTmed News.

Some of the discussions and sessions on the agenda this year relate to current issues of health care reform, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rulings, industry sales, and trends in technology and interoperability.

Health care reform is creating a lot of buzz this year, especially now that long-accepted clinical guidelines have been called into question; however, Dr. Becker did not feel that current politics would have a negative impact on the meeting's proceedings.

"I don't think health care reform is going to be a pervasive backdrop, but I do think it is on everybody's mind...a great deal of government decision-making ultimately affects the industry and the industry's customers," said Dr. Becker. "For example, CMS decisions ultimately will adjust the baseline for reimbursement, eventually influencing the health insurance companies, as well. There is a lot of uncertainty about what is to come."

Dr. Becker highlighted patient-centric health care IT as an emerging trend in technology for the coming year.

"Patients' involvement in their own health care is an important theme in current discussions, making patient-controlled medical records a hot topic," Dr. Becker said. "RSNA will feature an image sharing demonstration, showcasing technology that ultimately will help patients, particularly those who move between institutions or even among facilities within the same regional network."

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