FAIRFAX, Va.The Society of Interventional Radiology hailed the Sept. 11 decision by the American Board of Medical Specialtiesthe organization that has oversight of the 24 recognized medical specialty boardsto approve the American Board of Radiology's application for a new Dual Primary Certificate in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology. With this approval, ABMS and its member boards confirmed the benefit to patients of the unique interventional radiology skill set comprised of competency in diagnostic imaging, image-guided procedures and periprocedural patient care.
"Support for the Dual Certificate in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology by ABMS is a seminal event in the history of interventional radiologyand one that will benefit future patients by providing well-trained minimally invasive image-guided specialists," said SIR President Marshall E. Hicks, M.D., FSIR, who represents the national society of nearly 5,000 doctors, scientists and allied health professionals dedicated to improving health care through minimally invasive treatments. "The Society of Interventional Radiology applauds ABR for its dedication and hard work in advancing the specialty and the interventional radiology skill set, a unique combination of interpretive and procedural skill, accompanied by corresponding clinical expertise," said Hicks, the head of the division of diagnostic imaging at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
"This is an important step in the formalization of the interventionalist's clinical role. Recognition of the interventional radiologist's imaging, technical and periprocedural patient care competencies speaks directly to the specialty's focus on patients, innovation and advanced image-guided techniques," said John A. Kaufman, M.D., FSIR, a past president of SIR and director of the Dotter Interventional Institute in Portland, Ore. "First and foremost, future patients will benefit from this," said
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| Contact: Ellen Acconcia eacconcia@sirweb.org 703-460-5582 Society of Interventional Radiology Source:Eurekalert |