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Did you know that…
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The Deficit Reduction
Act (DRA) passed by Congress has cut technical reimbursement for
radiology by approximately one-half.
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The Society of Chairmen
in Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD) voted nearly unanimously
to support delay of the oral board exam until two years after
residency is completed.
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The future of the AFIP
is uncertain.
Radiology has entered an era
where we are in the crosshairs of the government, payors, and other
medical specialties. Congress has zeroed in on imaging as a major
component to controlling healthcare costs. As a result, they have
dramatically slashed technical reimbursement, with further cuts a real
possibility. Where the government goes, payors are likely to follow.
Radiology management companies (RMCs) are sprouting in order to control
the use of imaging. In addition, many of our colleagues in the house of
medicine are encroaching on our field. Factor in the changing nature of
our field with the continued evolution of teleradiology, and we have our
work cut out for us.
We must rise to the
challenge of protecting our specialty, of caring for our patients with
the highest quality, most advanced diagnostic imaging and therapeutic
interventions available, and of furthering technical innovation
alongside evolution of criteria for their judicious use.
From the perspective of a
radiology resident, there are substantial proposed changes that are
being evaluated and debated. The future of AFIP and its long history of
educating radiologists is uncertain as it is losing funding from the
government and faces declining support from residency programs. A
proposal is on the table to postpone oral boards to 2 years after the
completion of residency training. An entire overhaul of the residency
curriculum is structured is being considered.
As residents and as
radiologists, we must be politically active and generally proactive.
Be informed…be involved…be
vocal…be proactive !!
What is the ACR? RSNJ?
Resident & Fellow Section?
The ACR is a national
organization that represents radiology to many different entities and
organizations, such as Congress, federal and state agencies, other
professional societies, payors and medical providers. The RSNJ is the
New Jersey state chapter of the ACR. It is one of the most active state
chapters on both national and state-wide issues. Members meet to discuss
and address issues effecting their local practices, and represent
radiology to New Jersey legislators.
The Resident & Fellow
Section (RFS) of the RSNJ was formed in early 2003 as a forum for
radiology residents in the Garden State to discuss residency issues and
to introduce them to the activities of the ACR and the RSNJ. In addition
to serving as a common discussion board for the 7 residency programs in
New Jersey, members participate in discussions and problem solving at
the national RFS level.
But I just want to pass
the boards and I don’t have any time!
I know the feeling! But you
can put in as much time as you would like to. If you just become aware
of some of the issues that are surrounding the field of radiology as
well residency programs, that would be a great start. Once you become
aware of these issues, I’m pretty sure you will get more involved. Even
if you don’t, that’s fine.
The RFS and the RSNJ are
also great ways to meet and interact with residents and attendings from
New Jersey as well as across the nation. For the past few years, the
RFS-RSNJ has sent multiple residents to the national ACR meeting, which
has been eye-opening for every resident that has gone. Members have
participated in the creation and discussion of national resolutions,
participated in Tort Reform rallies, and lobbied their congressmen on
Capitol Hill in Washington DC. In addition, there is a meeting of the
national RFS that discusses residency related issues, formulates a
resident stance on those issues, and acts as the voice of residents to
the ACR.
…and it’s FREE.
I strongly urge you to join
and participate in the Resident & Fellow Section of the Radiological
society of New Jersey.
Sincerely,
Vishal Bindal, MD
UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Pager: 732-437-4102
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