RSNA and SIIM Partner for National Imaging Informatics Course

OAK BROOK, Ill. (August 2, 2021) — Registration is open for the National Imaging Informatics Course-Radiology (NIIC-RAD) Term 1, which will be held online September 27 - October 1, 2021. NIIC-RAD is made possible through a partnership between the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM).

“We wanted to introduce radiology residents to the fundamental principles of imaging informatics,” said Tessa S. Cook, M.D., Ph.D., who developed the course along with Nabile Safdar, M.D., and Katherine Andriole, Ph.D., with support from Michael P. Recht, M.D. “We really tried to leverage the concept of a massive open online course to bring the education to the learners rather than the other way around.”

Initially developed five years ago to introduce senior radiology residents to the fundamentals of imaging informatics with emphasis on practical concepts and knowledge, the course has now expanded to non-resident participants, as well as the international community.

Not only does NIIC-RAD cover the business aspects for the specialty, such as the basics of clinical workflow, hardware and software requirements, standards and patient-centered radiology, it also features relevant topics like machine learning, data science and 3D printing.

“Course faculty come from programs all over the world and are experts in the field of imaging informatics.” Dr. Cook said.

The weeklong course consists of a series of live lectures, small group discussions and a set of enduring content that can be reviewed before or after the live sessions. There are pre- and post-course assessments and homework assignments throughout the week. Participants receive a certificate of attendance and qualify for up to 20 hours of SIIM IIP Credits for ABII Certification and Recertification.  

Aimed primarily at fourth-year radiology residents, the course may also benefit radiology trainees at all levels, radiology faculty, information technology experts, practicing physicians in other specialties and students from a variety of disciplines. The NIIC-RAD Scholarship Program is also available to assist potential participants who are not institutionally funded to attend the course. The scholarship application deadline is August 27, 2021.

“Imaging informatics affects so much of how we take care of patients every day,” Dr. Cook said. “It’s important to have an understanding of these fundamental principles to be able to troubleshoot when things go wrong, but also to have a better understanding of how our systems work.”

National Imaging Informatics Course-Radiology (NIIC-RAD)
Term 1: September 27 - October 1, 2021, 12-4 p.m. ET 
Term 2: February 28 – March 4, 2022, 12-4 p.m. ET

To register as a group or individual, visit https://siim.org/page/niic_registration. For more information, contact informatics@RSNA.org.

Media contact: RSNA Media Relations at 630-590-7762 or media@rsna.org