The Radiology Research Alliance (RRA) works to encourage multidisciplinary research in radiology and the radiological sciences by helping departments establish and improve their research programmes. Each year, the RRA creates a handful of task forces to help radiologists understand new trends in radiology research.
To stimulate innovative research, the RRA conducts research symposia at the Association of University Radiologists (AUR) annual meeting. The Alliance also supports AUR members in their professional development.
Linda Probyn, MD, FRCPC, ABR, of the University of Toronto, Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, serves as the RRA Task Force Coordinator for 2018.
In an article published online in the journal Academic Radiology, Dr. Probyn discusses the work of the RRA Task Forces. The author writes: "Each Task Force is comprised of faculty, fellow, and resident members. An expert in the field may also be added. Membership comes from many different academic departments across North America, and meetings occur throughout the year, usually via teleconference."
Task force members work collaboratively to develop a white paper to be presented at the AUR annual meeting and submitted to Academic Radiology for publication.
This year, the RRA has 10 Task Forces on various radiology topics:
- Auto-Segmentation Tools for Large Scale Image Analytics
- Comparative Effectiveness Analysis in Imaging
- Facilitating Transition from Resident to Academic Faculty
- Forensic Radiology
- Health Care Integration and Mergers: Opportunities and Challenges for Imaging
- Non-Procedural Radiology Skills
- Perceptual Errors in Radiology
- Promoting Health and Wellness for Radiologists
- Systematic Review of the Literature: Best Practices
- The Role of Radiology in Global Health
This year the Task Force white papers will be published in Academic Radiology every other month, rather than being combined in a single issue. "This will allow readers more rapid access to the important work that the Task Forces are doing," Dr. Probyn explains.
Some Task Forces have transitioned to Working Groups, which helps continue the work on high priority topics. These efforts have been effective, Dr. Probyn notes, and current Working Groups include: 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence (Data Science), Research in Radiology, Clinically Oriented Academic Radiology Department Research Initiative, Comparative Effectiveness Research, Research Mentoring, and Virtual Journal Clubs.
Dr. Probyn calls on the membership of the AUR to consider joining one of the RRA Task Forces. She says that AUR members who are interested in joining a Task Force can contact the AUR office at [email protected].
Source: Association of University Radiologists
reference
Probyn L (2018) Radiology Research at the Cutting Edge for a Better Future. Academic Radiology, Article in Press; Published online 09 October 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2018.08.002
