RSNA 2021 offers something for everyone. Even though the show is one day shorter this year, there is a wide variety of content to choose from, whether you’re in Chicago or checking it out virtually. The exhibit halls are open from 10 AM to 5 PM each day, and there are a multitude of poster sessions, often between 12:30 PM and 1:15 PM but also between 4 PM and 5 PM on Tuesday, November 30, and Wednesday, December 1.
Sunday, November 28, kicks off with sessions on cybersecurity, breast imaging, improving patient and staff safety in IR practices, pandemic preparedness, and numerous science sessions. Another session of note is “Humanism in Radiology: Combatting Burnout and Robots,” which is sponsored by the RSNA Public Information Committee. Two other sessions to consider are “Taking Action to Promote Gender Inclusion and Equity in Radiology: Opportunities for Leadership and Academic Development,” sponsored by the RSNA Professionalism Committee, and “3D Printing: Clinical Applications,” sponsored by the RSNA 3D Printing Special Interest Group.
The highlight of Sunday afternoon is the President’s Address and Opening Session. During the session, the meeting will be dedicated to the memory of Sanjiv S. Gambhir, MD, and Lawrence W. Bassett, MD. The President’s Address, “Redefining Radiology: The Road Ahead,” will be delivered by Mary C. Mahoney, MD. Mahoney will be introduced as RSNA president for the coming year by James Merlino, MD, who will talk about “Service Fanatics — How to Deliver Safe, High-Quality, Patient-Centric Care.”
Monday, November 29, brings sessions on clinical decision support, ultrasound, AI, clinical trials, and the always popular Fast 5 session that highlights current issues in radiology. Several associations and RSNA committees are offering sessions, including “Moving Beyond the Gender Binary: Exploring the Gender Spectrum and Diversity in Patient Care, Education, and Research” (the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), “Professionalism as an Educator in Radiology: Strategies to Engage Learners in Person and Virtually” (the RSNA Professionalism Committee), and “Flexible Work Arrangements and Their Impact on Advancement of Women in Radiology” (the American Association for Women in Radiology).
The day’s plenary session, delivered by James Brink, MD, is “Radiology in the Value-Based Healthcare Arena: Player or Pawn?” Monday ends with a Shark Tank session sponsored by the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research.
AI is also on tap for Tuesday, November 30, as well as sessions on molecular imaging, forensic radiology, and pediatric imaging. Special sessions include “Patient Voice: The Power of Patient Engagement on Education and Service Development” (the Associated Science Consortium); “The Experiences of Black Radiologists” (the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion); “ASRT@RSNA: How CT Protocols Affect Technologist Repeat Rates, Throughput, and Image Quality”; and the RSNA Resident and Fellow Symposium 2021.
Tuesday’s plenary session is “Ensuring an Inclusive, Respectful Workplace.” The lectures will be presented by Michele Hackley Johnson, MD (“Excellence, Respect and Responsibility in Radiology: Challenging Barriers”), and Christine Porath (“Mastering Civility”).
Wednesday, December 1, highlights still more AI, along with novel technologies, engaging patients for lung cancer screening, and multisociety approaches to advance research on COVID-19 and other diseases. Special sessions include the “RSNA/ESR Symposium: Current Status of Stroke Workup and Treatment,” “TASRT@RSNA: The Changing World of Contraband Smuggling,” and “Trailblazers in Health Equity: Lessons Learned & Leadership Opportunities to Advance Health Equity in Radiology and Beyond” (the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).
Wednesday features two plenary sessions. First up is “Exciting Radiology Game Show: What’s Your Emergency? Life in the STAT Lane.” Next is “Addressing the Continued Exclusion of Black Physicians in the US Radiation Oncology Workforce,” which will be presented by Iris Catrice Gibbs, MD, and Sarah S. Donaldson, MD.
Although the exhibit hall closes on Wednesday, anyone who’s interested in attending more sessions on Thursday, December 2, will have plenty to choose from. Sessions on, you guessed it, AI and other topics such as reducing radiation dose and improving image quality, practice building in IR, home workstations and teleradiology, informatics and quality improvement, interactive multimedia reports, and whether contrast-induced nephropathy really exists are scheduled. Special sessions include “Improving Patient Experience Through Human Design Thinking” (the RSNA Public Information Committee), “An Introduction for Radiologists to the Learning Healthcare System: Pragmatic Trials: Yes, We Can Randomize” (the RSNA Research Development Committee), the “RSNA/AAPM Symposium: Together We Can Make a Difference,” and “Low Quality Radiology Requests and the Effect on Radiology Output and Patient Care” (the RSNA Quality Improvement Committee).
— A Radiology Today staff report