images/isrrt/NOV 2010.pdf

Sun, Surf and Studying:
A Delegate’s View of the 2010 ISRRT World Congress
Report by Shirley Bague
President, Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
A Roentgen Riddle: What do you get when you combine for four days over 1,100 people from 54 countries,
230 presentations, 63 posters, 37 exhibitors, great social gatherings and a very pleasant setting?
Answer: A wonderful celebration of the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession called the ISRRT
2010 World Congress! For all participants, but especially for those of us from half a world away, it was
tremendous to see people from all around the world, indeed from all the continents, come together on the
Gold Coast of Australia to share knowledge and make professional and personal connections.
24 ISRRT Newsletter
But for some of us our time on the Gold Coast didn’t begin with the
congress. Those who were involved in ISRRT governance meetings
actually were able to enjoy the setting for a full week, as we worked
together on the business of ISRRT. As a first-time attendee at the
governance meetings it was intriguing to see people literally from
around the world work together to address the issues facing the
profession at an international level. With the flags and translators
the meeting took on a United Nations flair. It was a revelation for me
to learn how other countries are managing radiation safety and the
education of radiographers. The challenges they face are similar to
those that we face in Canada, but these are expressed in different
ways. It was interesting to learn that in some countries, where there
is no radiologist to review images, the radiographers sometimes with
minimal training are expected to give the doctor an interpretation.
Among the accomplishments of the meetings was to elect Dr Michael
Ward, PhD, as the next president of the ISRRT. He will be the first
person from the USA to ever hold this position. Joining him on the
Board of Management is a very capable group from 11 different
countries that includes three other board members with PhDs.
The congress itself began on Thursday evening with the traditional
flag ceremony, which was colourful and moving and finished with the
scores of member country flags stretched across the stage.
We were all treated to delightful entertainment as well. First was a