The SoR stand at RSNA attracted more UK attendees than any previous year. Eleanor Sheath asks just some of this year's delegates what makes the 3000 mile trip worthwhile?
For the first time, two UK radiography students were funded to fly to Chicago and experience some of the 380 educational sessions on offer at RSNA 2008.
Thomas Pickersgill and Alex Brown were part of a 20 strong cohort attending from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Both third years, they were picked to attend after writing a paper saying how the trip would benefit them in their studies.
Thomas explained: “It’s a huge conference, and a great experience to come here. The lectures are really good. So far we’ve been to sessions on penetrative trauma, forensic radiography and MRI cardiac, as well as chest and trauma. We’re learning so much, it’s going to be great for our CPD and in particular it’s going to be a big help in writing my dissertation. That was a big factor in me applying to come.”
Alongside Thomas and Alex, the Sheffield cohort included two imaging nurses, two specialist registrars in radiology, one assistant practitioner and thirteen radiographers from various modalities to include breast imaging and PACS.
Assistant practitioner Vanessa Dickson is only the second British AP to attend RSNA. She commented: “I’d definitely recommend RSNA. It is all relevant – seeing all the equipment and seeing how other people work in the profession. I’m applying for the radiography degree and coming here will help with my application when I look for work – it’s a brilliant opportunity for further career development.”
Sheffield's training lead, Brigitte Kaviani, funded the trip from her training budget. She generated money by arranging national study days and courses. Sheffield charitable trust fund met the other half of the costs.
Brigitte aims to send a cohort to RSNA each year. She explained: "I feel the staff benefit from attending the largest radiology conference. It is an experience in itself. They attend lectures with the latest professional developments and get to see the latest new equipment that has just been launched. All the staff who went will be feeding back to other staff via a presentation on our monthly training programme in 2009."
Pictured above are just some of the 20 strong cohort from Sheffield: Alex Brown and Thomas Pickersgill, both third years at Sheffield Hallam University; Laura Elliman, senior II radiographer at Sheffield Royal Hallam; SoR president Michael Graveling; Vanessa Dickson, assistant practitioner, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield; SoR CEO Richard Evans and Charlotte Cummins, senior II PACS administrator, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
