RSNA Press Release

CHICAGO — In an ongoing effort to maintain the highest standards of practice among radiology professionals, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Professionalism Committee has expanded its series of free educational vignettes on ethics and professionalism in radiology. The two new vignettes focus on "Medical Trainees and Medical Training" and "Suboptimal Utilization of Imaging Studies."

Professionalism is the basis of medicine's contract with society. Core principles of professionalism involve placing the interests of patients above those of the physician, setting and maintaining standards of competency and integrity, and providing expert advice to society on matters of health.

The vignettes are descriptive narrative scenarios that emphasize the importance of incorporating professionalism into routine practice and aim to facilitate discussion of this core competency. The series outlines specific ethical dilemmas that may be encountered in practice from disclosure of radiological errors to sexual harassment. New topics are currently in development.

Each vignette includes several scenarios with embedded questions and potential responses. Explanations comprising the relevant principles of professionalism help users to assess the appropriateness of their choices. References are provided for further study.

"These vignettes provide radiologists with an opportunity to gauge how they would navigate challenging situations and to consider the potential impact of their decisions," said Stephen D. Brown, M.D., chair of the RSNA Professionalism Committee. "The committee will continue to expand these educational offerings as we identify situations in need of best-practice clarifications."

The vignettes are part of RSNA's collection of professionalism resources and can be accessed at RSNA.org/Professionalism.

Note: Copies of other RSNA 2013 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press13 beginning Monday, Dec. 2.

RSNA is an association of more than 53,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)