2009 Clinicians Round Table

Free registration for "Clinicians Round Table"

The move to digital diagnostic imaging capture, distribution and access is inevitable, and distribution of images on film will become progressively obsolete and unavailable.  The move to digital diagnostic image however has created some major issues for clinicians with respect to access and viewing the images in a form that is a suitable quality and convenience for optimal patient care.

The Imaging Division of the Department of Health and Ageing has recognised that "transition to digital imaging is leading to a number of problems with the provision of images."  They have observed that "the Act stipulates that a diagnostic imaging service must be 'clinically relevant'."

DoHA further state that "it could be argued that not providing images, or images that cannot be viewed and used, as part of a diagnostic imaging service, would mean a service was not 'clinically relevant' and therefore in contravention of the Act" (DoHA Discussion Paper - Managing the Transition to Digital Imaging, February 2008).  In response to these issues, DoHA has requested relevant stakeholders develop an agreed Code of Practice.  The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) initiated a stakeholder forum (DIRWP - Digital Imaging RACS Working Party), to develop a set of imaging recommendations, and an issues resolution process - both of which are nearing completion. It is likely that such recommendations will guide what is regarded as 'clinically relevant', which may have an impact on the form and conduct of diagnostic image distribution to referring doctors.

RACS 2007 letter to Health Minister Roxon

This has great relevance to both radiologists, and the suppliers of their imaging technology. There is also significant interest from major international clinician organization to develop guidelines, based on those developed by the DIRWP.

The Round Table Session "Understanding Clinicians' Digital Diagnostic Imaging Needs" at the forthcoming IHE Australia Connectathon aims to provide an insight that will enable the imaging industry to understand the needs of clinicians involved in patient care, and will thus assist the successful transition to the digital diagnostic imaging environment.

More details of DIRWP are at www.surgeons.org/dirwp

Participation in the Round Table does not require vendors to be testing within the main Connectathon.  Registration is at no cost for the specific session, however to pre-registration is required.