HealthManagement, Volume 8 - Issue 1, 2008

Author

Dr. Muzaffer Basak

President

Turkish Society of Radiology

Istanbul, Turkey

[email protected]


The Turkish Society of Radiology was founded in Istanbul in 1924. Its founding members included leading experts at the time, Dr. Sevki Bey, Dr. Suphi Neset Bey, Dr. Burhanettin Toker, Dr. Kilalditi, Dr. Zakar, Dr. Sukru Bey and Dr. Selahattin Mehmet Berk Bey. The goals of the society at the present moment are still in harmony with those originally set down in 1924.


Presentation of History and Activities

The goals of the Turkish Society of Radiology (TSR) include supporting the progress of radiology as a science, preserving the rights and benefits of our members, and strengthening occupational, social and scientific relationships between its various members. We are also closely involved in the monitoring of domestic and international developments in radiology, particularly in x-ray, angiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, bone densitometry, interventional radiology and any new radiological advances.

 

We are also concerned with upgrading educational material for widespread use, and for this purpose, organising scientific congresses, seminars, symposiums, meetings and creating publications. Furthermore, we aim at increasing the level of radiologic education and its standardisation, organising courses and increasing the number of national health facilities in which radiology is practiced.

 

The society has three branches, based in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Both radiologists and radiology residents have the right to join as members of the TSR. As of 28 February 2007, the society has 2,510 members, accounting for up to 85% of all practicing radiologists in the country. The TSR also works with subspecialty societies in a cooperative spirit.


Role of the TSR Journal

The TSR publishes a quarterly journal to disseminate new radiological information. Since 2005 this journal has been published in the English language as “Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology”, as well as in Turkish, as “Turk Radyoloji Bulteni”. Also, we published all of the scientific posters and oral presentations presented during the national radiology congresses, in a collective book.

 

The TSR has an actively functioning Board Commission. Board exams, which consist of two parts – one a theoretical exam and the other a practical exam - are held by the society to ensure the high quality of radiology services in the country. The first was held on 30 October, 2004. Only those participants who passed the first step were forwarded to the next step, which was the practical exam. In November 2007, the fourth nationally instituted board exam will be held. This represents an increasing interest in ensuring the highest educational standards for radiology in Turkey.


National Congress Plays an Important Role

Between 1924 and 2007, the TSR has organised twentyeight national congresses. The first national Turkish Radiology Congress was held between 15 - 17 September in 1966 in Istanbul. The 2007 congress was held between 27 - 31 October in Antalya. In parallel, all three branches of the TSR, based in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, arrange scientific meetings on a monthly basis except during the summer months. Besides these monthly meetings, symposiums are also held in various cities such as Malatya, Erzurum and Kocaeli. The TSR is a founding member of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), and it works proactively with its representatives within the commissions of the ESR.


Education a Priority for the TSR

The TSR also maintains an ongoing institutional cooperation with the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and takes part in its annual congresses. Additionally, in 2008 the Turkish/German Radiology Congress will take place due to a new partnership between the German Society of Radiology and the TSR. In the long term, the TSR envisions new projects regarding resident exchange with the purpose of improving radiology education.

 

The duration of the Turkish radiology residency programme is five years. This time period has been set out as sufficient for a comprehensive resident education according to the TSR. The society is of the opinion that new branch specialties like interventional radiology, neuroradiology and paediatric radiology will have to be instituted within the society in the near future, as they are growing at a rapid pace and the society wishes to ensure that Turkey keeps pace with the rest of the world in terms of radiological developments.

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