iRADiX

One of the most important aspects of practising medicine anywhere in the world is to update the knowledge and skills of clinical medicine. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is not only updating the knowledge and skills, but also improving teaching, communication and managerial skills.

The practice of radiology changes according to the need of the clinical medicine. As radiologists, we need to be on the edge of the technology to deliver high quality diagnostic and interventional knowledge and skills. It is also about attitudes and values of practising radiology.

In West, CPD is mandatory for all health care professionals. For example, in the UK, all consultants are required to earn 250 CPD points in 5 years by attending various courses and conferences. The Royal College of Radiologists of the UK has published extensive guidelines for the radiologists practising in the UK.

Medical Council of India, Indian Medical Association or Indian Radiological or Imaging Association (IRIA) have not outlined any CPD guidelines. After MBBS or post-graduate degree, there is no guiding force for doctors to update their skills and knowledge.

When I was working in India, I saw so many busy practising consultants and teachers not attending any courses or conferences for years or even decades. I have seen top practising radiologists not reading a single journal article. Many of them presumed they knew everything, and thought there is no more to learn.

I know it is difficult to many of the radiologists in India to attend courses and conferences as frequently as radiologists in west do.

I think it is high time we should also develop a similar system in India. IRIA should take an initiative. iRadix is a great platform to start the debate. We need not have to follow what USA or UK is doing for the CPD.

Our practice is quite different, our needs are different, our economy is different, out hospital set up is different. In many parts, it is single radiologist run diagnostic centres. We should consider our real time situation to develop our own CPD system.

(Sorry for the hiatus of nearly an year. I am sure you have not missed my blogs. I will continue to contribute actively hence forth as frequently as possible).