Crossing the cultural divide

In a historic first, the United States witnessed Tuesday the election of a president whose candidacy was successfully able to bridge party, racial and cultural lines. The election may signify the softening of divisions among traditionally adversarial groups; which, in turn, may open lines of communication and the discovery of a common ground.

Healthcare is no stranger to entrenched cultural biases that pit one clinical specialty against another; possibly none more so than in radiology and cardiology. As a result, these groups often view themselves as rivals, rather than clinical colleagues.

According to Peter L. Zwerner, MD, a cardiologist from the department of radiology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, these biases, or “tribal attitudes,” are roadblocks to what should be a synergistic collaboration among these specialties.

Zwerner, who presented his thoughts on radiology/cardiology collaboration at the recent 2008 North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging (NASCI) annual meeting in Phoenix, made a compelling case for the specialties to let go of their prejudices against one another and join forces in a mutually beneficial relationship.

In other news of interest to cardiac imaging, please join us for a free webcast and Q&A on Thursday, Nov. 6, Enterprise Image Storage: Moving Beyond the Department Silo. Listen and learn from an in-depth presentation from healthcare IT industry expert John Koller, as he discusses the future of image and data storage.

This topic will be of great significance to cardiac imaging practitioners, as these specialties find themselves challenged with an exponential increase in diagnostic image data.

Koller will be addressing the issues of image management, archiving and distribution today; as well as options for consolidation across the healthcare enterprise through a clinical information lifecycle management strategy.

To sign up for the webcast, please register here.

After the seminar, check in at our interactive blog, where you can post questions, comments, and opinions for discussion with our industry experts.

In related news, our RSNA 360 technology previews are now available.

We’re showcasing the latest offerings in 18 product categories of diagnostic imaging and information technology scheduled for display and demonstration at this year’s RSNA conference in Chicago, including Cardiac Imaging.

For more about the latest trends, techniques, and issues in cardiovascular imaging be sure to check out our sister publication, Cardiovascular Business. The site, weekly newsletter and bi-monthly print magazine offers comprehensive insight and information about cardiovascular patient, practice and technology management.

Also, if you’re looking for information about CT technology, or any other cardiac imaging modality, be sure to stop by our Tech Guide. Company and product listings, whitepapers and upcoming events are just a mouse click away.

Lastly, if you have a comment or report to share about any aspect of cardiac imaging, please contact me at the address below. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jonathan Batchelor, Web Editor
jbatchelor@trimedmedia.com