New Delhi: The International Day of Radiology, observed on November 8, is celebrated with an aim to build greater awareness of the significance of radiology.
Radiologists, radiographers, and radiological technologists across the world mark this day to educate the world about the important role played by radiology professionals in the healthcare field and spread knowledge about how radiology contributes to safe patient care.
History Of International Day Of Radiology
On November 8, 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered the existence of X-rays. Radiology is a crucial element of modern medicine and led to the development of various methods of imaging. This is why November 8 was chosen as a day of action and awareness, and to highlight the importance of radiology.
The International Day of Radiology was first introduced in 2012, as a joint initiative of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and the American College of Radiology (ACR).
Earlier, the European Day of Radiology (EDoR) was celebrated on February 10, 2011, to commemorate Röntgen's death anniversary. It was the first and only celebration of EDoR, and due to its success, the International Day of Radiology was established.
Later, the celebration was moved from Röntgen's death anniversary to that of his discovery of X-rays. On November 28, 2011, during the annual RSNA meeting in Chicago, November 8 was officially confirmed as the International Day of Radiology by ESR, ACR, and RSNA.
Significance Of International Day Of Radiology
Medical imaging is a vital and progressive discipline in healthcare and a field of great activity in terms of technological and biological research.
X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, ultrasound, mammography, Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and Angiography are different types of radiology techniques. Such medical imaging technologies are known to many people, but the exact purpose of these services is not widely understood.
The International Day of Radiology is observed so that professionals in the field of radiology can come together to educate people about the medical, scientific, and artistic possibilities of medical imaging. They also inform people of the high educational and professional standards required to work in the area of medical imaging.
Theme Of International Day Of Radiology 2021
The theme for the 2021 International Day of Radiology is ‘Interventional Radiology – Active care for the patient’.
In 2021, the International Day of Radiology will be dedicated to Interventional Radiology, its essential role in treating patients, and to the active care of patients.
Interventional radiology is a growing and unique medical subspecialty of radiology, utilizing minimally-invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases. ESR has invited everyone to celebrate the essential role that interventional radiology plays in treating patients.
As the world continues to face the challenges posed by COVID-19, it is extremely important to acknowledge the key role that medical imaging has in medicine, not only during circumstances such as the pandemic but also on a daily basis.
Imaging professionals across the world are coming together to look back at their hard work and celebrate the contributions of radiology in the active care of patients.
Also, national radiological societies, radiological subspecialty societies, radiographer societies, allied sciences societies, and imaging departments throughout the world will share impressions of their day on various platforms, as they celebrate the International Day of Radiology 2021.