Abdominal radiology involvement in image-guided procedures: a perspective from the society of abdominal radiology Cross-Sectional Interventional Radiology Emerging Technology Commission.

Abdominal radiology as a field has historically played an important role in the training, research, and performance of image-guided procedures. With the emphasis on increased subspecialization and the more formal and rigorous interventional radiology training programs, the question of the future of image-guided procedures within abdominal radiology is explored. A survey conducted by the Cross-Sectional Interventional Radiology Emerging Technology Commission on members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology showed that image-guided procedures are overwhelmingly being performed by abdominal radiology groups, and the vast majority of programs are training their fellows in this regard. We explore some of the challenges radiology and health care in general may face should abdominal radiologists no longer perform procedures and outline strategies departments can employ to meet the needs of both abdominal and interventional radiologists.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the active commuting behaviors of U.S. Department of the Interior employees.

BACKGROUND: Despite evolving evidence of the health and economic benefits of active transportation (AT) to work, few studies have examined the determinants of AT in large organizations with multiple worksites nor how trends in commuting change over time. METHODS: The data were obtained from the U.S. Department of the Interior Employee Commuting Census of 2010 (n = 23,230), and 2012-2016 (n = 21,725-25,974). The respondents were grouped into four commuting categories: non-active mode, walking, biking, and mixed-mode. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the correlates of choosing AT to work for the 2010 data. Next, a repeated cross-sectional analysis was completed for all six years of data. RESULTS: In 2010, AT modes were only chosen by approximately 10% of respondents. Employees who lived farther from work and did not have a public transit station within 0.5 miles from home were generally less likely to choose AT. Respondents working in non-metro workplaces were less likely to bike or take mixed-modes to work, but more likely to walk. Men were more likely to choose AT modes, particularly biking. Respondents aged ≤30 yrs. were less likely to bike than those 31 to 40 yrs., but more likely than those ≥61 yrs. In 2010, the number of respondents that walked was higher, and biked and took mixed-modes was lower when compared to 2016, while the choice to take mixed-modes was higher in 2012 and 2013 when compared to 2016. Daily commuting distances in 2016 tended to be lower than 2010 and 2012, and higher than 2013. However, overall AT choice and commute distance remained reasonably stable over time. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents who lived close to their workplace and a public transportation station, worked in a metro location, were male and younger were more likely to choose AT modes to work. The results provide insight for the U.S. Department of the Interior and other large organizations to develop intervention strategies that support AT to work. Further research is warranted to understand the concurrent individual, social, and environmental barriers and facilitators for choosing AT to work.

The Challenges of Providing Interventional Radiology Services to Rural and Smaller Community Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: Recruitment and retention of interventional radiologists for rural and smaller community hospital practices is a serious physician staffing issue. This article explores rural interventional radiology and perspectives of various stakeholders, such as rural radiology group practices, rural hospitals, interventional radiologists, public and private academic institutions, and urban health care providers, and considers the unique health care needs of rural patients. CONCLUSION: Some early solutions are evident. Collaboration among all stakeholders will be necessary to properly address the challenges.

Interventional radiology delivers high-value health care and is an Imaging 3.0 vanguard.

Given the changing climate of health care and the imperative to add value, radiologists must join forces with the rest of medicine to deliver better patient care in a more cost-effective, evidence-based manner. For several decades, interventional radiology has added value to the health care system through innovation and the provision of alternative and effective minimally invasive treatments, which have decreased morbidity, mortality, and overall cost. The clinical practice of interventional radiology embodies many of the features of Imaging 3.0, the program recently launched by the ACR. We provide a review of some of the major contributions made by interventional radiology and offer general principles from that experience, which are applicable to all radiologists.