Building an Interventional Department

Abstract

Interventional radiology’s unique selling point is noninvasive imaging and the ability of radiologists to understand better principles and technologies of image guidance as compared to specialists from other medical areas. During the past few decades, radiology has always been evolution-driven for the simple fact that, as soon as a radiological technology was suitable for routine use, it had to be defended against competing clinicians – often without success, e.g. in ultrasound, coronary arteriography, and likely even in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Hence, the key to survival of radiology is:

1. Continuous innovation in radiology which is only possible if key imaging technologies are best understood by radiologists.

2. Evidence-based data derived from GCP (good clinical practice) conformant studies performed by radiologists – proving their competence.

3. Enhanced clinical abilities and patient orientation by improved clinical training of radiologists.