CTSC:TTIC.051909

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Harvard Translational Imaging Consortium Meeting Minutes May 19, 2009

In attendance:

1. Update on imaging consultation requests

This week there was no new consultation request submitted through the Catalyst website.
Randy and Gordon reminded all the members to submit all the imaging consultation they are doing, Valerie will collect them.

2. PCIR reviews

All the members of the consortium have been requested to review the applications for new protocols involving imaging submitted through the PCIR of the different institutions. Catalyst Central sent a letter explaining what is expected from the members involved in the reviewing process. The consortium members who have not received the letter by the end of the week should contact Valerie or Randy.
- The consortium agreed that all the applications for new protocols should be sent to Valerie who will assign them accordingly to the directions of the PCIR review committee. She will make sure to get a good distribution among the team.
- The response to these application must be quick. The launching of JIRA in July could facilitate the follow-up. Valerie will ask the informatics group if JIRA could be used to monitor these reviews.
The support provided to investigators using PCIR resources for imaging studies needs to be captured as work the group does in the context of the Catalyst. It maps nicely (as well as the image data analysis at BWH) to the evaluation plan. It is critical to be able to count for all the work the consortium does. On the same subject, Clare noticed that the consortium members will be asked to review the pilot grant applications. Randy and Valerie will ask Catalyst Central how the members can get credit for it as part of the work they do for the CTSC.

3. Educational program: CME accreditation

Jeff gathered some information on how to get CME accreditation for some courses of our educational program. Getting CME credit for a course makes it very attractive for people to attend
- There is an annually review process due in June. Valerie and Jeff will contact Michelle Wright at Catalyst Central to see what support they have in place.
- The safety courses (dosimetry, contrast agents, etc) would be a good target for CME accreditation. The imaging technologists are very interested because those risk management credits are hard to find. Randy suggested that we could offer a training every 2 months at the different institutions.
- Clare and Randy reminded the group that getting CME accreditation takes a lot of work and that every lecture needs to be monitored. Again, the administrative support from Catalyst Central will be key.

4. Increase visibility of the consulting service

Now that the consortium is almost done with the presentations at the various Radiology Departments, other presentations to smaller group/different audience need to be scheduled.
- At the BWH, section heads meetings are targeted. Clare, Ron and Valerie will also present at the BIR (Biomedical Research Institute) live lunch on July at BWH.
- Charles suggested to get on the agenda of the various Department research retreats.
- Valerie will collect the dates of the various meetings a the different institutions and work to get on their agenda.
Tom Ulrich, manager of communication at Catalyst Central, is working on a brochure to advertise the different consultation services. Some suggestions on where to distribute them were: add one in the orientation book of the new fellows, distribution during orientation session, meetings where we give a talk about the Catalyst etc
Sending an e-mail targeting younger investigators is a good idea. The group wants to send a personnel message from each instituion.
- The group will work together on a marketing plan, Valerie will write a draft and submit it to the group. The final review will be done on June 9 during the mini-retreat and then presented to Catalyst Central.
The front page of the intranet at the different institutions could also be a good place to advertise for our service.

5. June 9 mini-retreat

The imaging consortium mini-retreat will take place on Tuesday June 9, 2009 from 8:30 to 11:30 am.
Valerie booked the CTSC conference room at Countway but she is still waiting to get the final number of participants.
The 2 main topics will be the educational program and the evaluation plan. Valerie will send a more detailed agenda before the retreat.