In an interview with Jornal da Imagem, from the São Paulo Radiological Society, Dr. Beatriz González Ulloa talks about expectations as president of the Inter-American College of Radiology (CIR) and reflects on the role of radiologists in the world. Check out the full interview below.

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In December, Dr. Beatriz González Ulloa took office as president of the Inter-American College of Radiology (CIR), during the society’s XXX Congress, in Mexico. She is also vice-president and founding partner of the Ibero-American Society for Breast Imaging (SIBIM), and former president of the Mexican Federation of Radiology and Image (FMRI), the Mexican Council of Radiology and Image (CMRI), and the College of Radiology and Image of Jalisco (CRIJ). She is currently a professor at FMRI and CIR.

In a letter to the members, when she took office, she stated: “It is an honor for me to assume the CIR presidency. I feel privileged to preside over an institution founded in 1943. It continues to be a living and increasingly active organism that unites societies, associations, federations, colleges, national groups from the American continent and Latin America through scientific, friendship and cultural ties”.

In this interview, she talks about expectations, challenges, and the flags she takes on in this new management.

What are your expectations as president of the CIR?

Achieve that Regional Radiology is congruent with current health needs, recognizing technological advances through the decisive participation of Health Institutions, academic bodies in the area of imaging, and, above all, Radiology Faculties and Associations, regional and international. Also, to strengthen, promote and offer high quality continuing medical education to members of the countries that make up the CIR.

What are the main challenges facing radiologists in the world today? Does artificial intelligence still seem like a threat? Staff reduction due to the pandemic?

The main ones are:

• Usurpation by other specialties;

• Artificial intelligence;

• Emerging technologies in our specialty;

• Software and equipment with frequent updates;

• Unequal budget for the acquisition of new technologies.

Artificial intelligence is another tool for the radiologist in diagnosing pathologies; it does not represent a threat, on the contrary; systems based on this platform help decisively in imaging diagnosis.

There was no decrease in the number of new radiologists due to the pandemic; imaging departments are among the most requested in the face of this global health crisis.

And for Latin American radiologists? What initiatives does your management take?

The management of the CIR is based on several activities, whose undisputed pillar is Continuing Education to promote quality in the work routine of the different areas of Radiology.

• It is necessary to continue the various programs that we have established;

• Promote the development of the Latin American School of Radiology, ELAR;

• Strengthen CIR’s refresher courses;

• Strengthen the visiting professor and CIR visit programs;

• Promote Radiology Research.

How do you assess the union and intersection of medical societies’ work affiliated to CIR today? What works well, and what can be improved?

There is an excellent collaboration between the countries that make up the CIR. I think we can improve the search for reducing inequalities in education in the different countries that make up the Ibero-American College of Radiology, with the collaboration and commitment of the radiologists that make up this organization.

What advice would you give to young professionals who are now entering the area? How do they need and should they prepare?

That they are visible radiologists, with participation in the doctor-patient relationship and the interpersonal relationship between general practitioners and specialists who refer patients to imaging services. With that, we try to eliminate the “invisible radiologist” and make the connections warmer.

It is essential to highlight radiology with more “human quality”, leading to radiological protection directed to the patient, with special programs of the global trend such as Latin Safe, Eurosafe, Image Wisely, and Image Gentle, among others.

Also, recognize the opportunities for their training and continuing education that allow them to exercise the specialty with excellence for patients’ benefit.