Since 2018 we have solicited abstract submissions to the CAR Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) related to projects that exemplify the value of radiology. Through this category, the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) and Canadian Radiological Foundation (CRF) aim to encourage and recognize research that explores how radiology adds value to the health care system, such as improving patient care or enabling cost savings.
This stems from the research that was published on the Value of Radiology in Canada. In 2016 the CAR commissioned the Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Alliance for Sustainable Health Care to publish a study on the Value of Radiology in Canada. The report was published on January 26, 2017. This was followed by a subsequent report published on June 26, 2019, the Value of Radiology Part II focusing on medical imaging inventory in Canada and the economic impact of investing in Canadians.
"The is unique. It allows us as radiologists to present research and work which is varied, engages other specialists/heath-care team members, and could have long term positive implications to our specialty. I would strongly encourage my colleagues to engage in these types of endeavors and to showcase it at the annual CAR competition." Dr. Ania Kielar, Value of Radiology Abstract Winner in 2018 and CAR Board Member
Category Description
Value of Radiology submissions should focus on radiologists’ activities that add value outside of traditional radiology services, such as the radiology report. Projects should be suitable to publicize or publish to a wider audience to demonstrate the value of radiology.
Submissions in this category are studies or projects designed to highlight the value of radiology to patient care, medical education or the healthcare system as a whole. This category is intended to demonstrate how the radiologists serve and improve the healthcare system.
The presentation should provide a synthesis of information on various topics, relate them in new ways, or extract common threads from diverse data. For example, projects may consider how to improve the economic impact of diagnostic imaging, how radiology can enhance diagnostic capacity and appropriateness of care, or how radiology can drive healthcare system improvements and deliver optimal patient outcomes. The projects should enhance and promote the value of radiology in Canada.
Note: this competition is separate and distinct from the Department Clinical Audit Project (DCAP). The DCAP tends to focus on quality improvement within the workplace environment at mostly a departmental level.
Presentation Format
Authors of the top-ranking accepted abstracts will have the opportunity to give an oral presentation at the CAR ASM. Abstracts not selected for oral presentation will be asked to provide a digital display of their abstract.
Who Can Present?
Attending radiologists and trainees (fellows, residents, medical students).
Sample Topics
- Leadership: for example radiologists’ involvement in multidisciplinary consensus guidelines creation; these can be at the hospital, local, provincial or national levels.
- Management: for example the role of radiologists in streamlining workflows for patients, technologists or interactions with support staff. Various collaborations with hospital management or health authorities that result in improved quality of care would be eligible for this category.
- Cost-effectiveness of radiology: as a specialty in healthcare; for example cost savings related to the use of CT for assessing trauma versus exploratory laparotomy. New interventional radiology procedures that result in better outcomes and cost savings.
- Radiology-specific and multi-disciplinary collaborations: for example the role of radiologists in multidisciplinary patient rounds and measurable effect on final patient management/disposition. Any initiative, which protects patients’ interests in terms of excess imaging/radiation and cost could be presented. This includes educational endeavors directed towards patients.
Please review the CAR 2022 ASM VOR Abstract Winner Examples.
All abstracts must have a maximum of 250 words. One table, chart or graph in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format is strongly recommended.
- Author(s)
- Title
- Presenting Author’s level of training
- Institutional Affiliation
- Table/Chart/Graph (strongly recommended)
- Objective
- Methods
- Results / Discussion
- Conclusions
Further Reading
Conference Board of Canada – The Value of Radiology in Canada
Conference Board of Canada – The Value of Radiology, Part II
Gunderman RB, Boland GW. Value in radiology. Radiology. 2009 Dec;253(3):597-9