A consensus was reached on a Global Statement for interventional radiology by an international gathering of interventional radiologists during the 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) in Tampa, USA, in March.
The delegation met to consider the approval of a broad statement outlining the identity and scope of interventional radiology (IR) practice across the world. The Global Statement is an effort to put into writing the basic elements of the subspecialty which apply to interventional radiologists anywhere in the world.
The process of outline was begun two years ago by the then SIR president, John Kaufman, and the then CIRSE president, Jim A Reekers. SIR and CIRSE are the two largest IR societies in the world.
The Statement is described as “deliberately brief” and says “In each country and region, IR practice will vary according to local factors. Furthermore, in some countries, IR will be formally recognised as a unique subspecialty of diagnostic radiology, while in other countries IR will be formally recognised as a distinct radiological specialty. The following are common features of IR as either a subspecialty or specialty.
- Expertise in diagnostic imaging and radiation safety
- Expertise in image-guided minimally invasive procedures and techniques as applied to multiple diseases and organs
- Expertise in the evaluation and management of patients suitable for image-guided interventions included in the scope of IR practice
- Continual invention and innovation of new techniques, devices and procedures
Based on these features, IR is unique and distinct from all other surgical, radiologic, and medical subspecialties and specialties. The Statement also sets out the elements of IR, training, certification, clinical practice, quality, research and professionalism.
