President's Message 8/13/2003
August 13, 2003
Dear members:
I would like to introduce myself as the new president of the Indiana Radiological Society, having succeeded Dr. Marc Thomas this past June. The Society owes a large debt of gratitude to Marc for his tireless efforts on its behalf.
I am a general radiologist who has practiced in Shelbyville, Indiana with X-Ray Physicians of Shelbyville for the past eight years. It has been my pleasure to serve the IRS as an officer for the past three years. This letter serves as both an introduction and an update on Society issues and events.
At the 2003 ACR Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference held this past May, several topics of note were discussed and a few changes occurred.
The Annual Meeting brought about a name change from ACR Standards to ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards. It is hoped that this change will eliminate medico-legal confusion regarding "standards" and "standard of care".
The ACR has taken a leadership role in the concept of Radiology Assistant (RA). An RA has been identified as an "advanced-level radiologic technologist who works under the supervision of a radiologist to enhance patient care by assisting the radiologist in the diagnostic imaging environment." The ACR continues to work closely with the ARRT and ASRT in developing curricula and delineating RA roles and responsibilities. The RA concept is not without controversy and I would encourage members to offer their opinions on this matter to the ACR.
The American College of Radiology, in order to enhance its political advocacy activities has formed the American College of Radiology Association (ACRA). As a 501(c)(3) organization, the ACR itself was limited in its ability to lobby and contribute to political campaigns. As a 501(c)(6) organization, ACRA's formation will allow all ACR members to contribute to RADPAC. This obviates the Radiology Advocacy Alliance (RAA) membership which formerly was a prerequisite intermediary to RADPAC contributors.
ACR members' "automatic" membership in ACRA will streamline the process, eliminate confusion, and increase the potential donation pool for RADPAC nearly threefold, enhancing its growing role as a leader among medical specialty political action committees (PACs).
In 1998, Indiana professional association PAC contributions per-member for trial lawyers was $2,735.13. For IRS RADPAC members it was $10.85.
With the ever-growing oversight of our profession by government, looming malpractice issues, and re-imbursement cutbacks, we must, as individual members, better fund our Society's ability to advocate effectively on our behalf. As your IRS President, I challenge members to contribute at least $100.00 (or more!) to fund our increasingly important state and national lobbying efforts.
Recently, I was contacted by a southern Indiana Radiologist whose group's physicians were finding their malpractice insurance premiums increasing significantly despite not having had judgments against them. He was concerned about fee increases based merely on claims filed (even if they were eventually dropped) and the effects of these increases on overall practice expenses, physician recruiting, and employment mobility.
Many states find themselves in a climate of malpractice insurance crisis. So far, Indiana physicians have largely been spared such extremes, but pressure from trial lawyers and others is a constant presence at the statehouse. Soon, actuarial pressure on the Patient Compensation Fund will result in significant increases in the surcharge fees for all Indiana physicians.
Concerned IRS members are encouraged to contact their insurance carriers and provide feedback. Jim McIntire (General Counsel) and Jim Zieba (Director of Gov't Relations) at the ISMA are both familiar with issues such as these and are available to advise and assist ISMA/IRS members. ISMA Reports on the ISMA website is a good resource for keeping abreast of these and other important issues.
As always, there are many important issues "out there" with respect to the practice of Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Oncology. Your personal input and participation are crucial in our success as a Society.
Our Fall Meeting will be held October 11, 2003 at ISMA headquarters. I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Scott Miller MD
President, Indiana Radiological Society
150 West Washington Street
Shelbyville, IN 46176
317-398-5248
capri150@insightbb.com or smiller@majorhospital.com