Those in the cardiac imaging field are optimistic about its future despite challenges from the changing health care landscape, according to a report from ACC’s Imaging Council published Oct. 3 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

The report gathers findings from a two-day Think Tank on the future of cardiac imaging convened at Heart House by ACC’s Executive Committee and Cardiovascular Imaging Section Leadership Council in April 2016. Chaired by Pamela S. Douglas, MD, MACC, and Manuel D. Cerqueira, MD, FACC, the Think Tank was organized around four goals: to preserve and enhance the relevance of cardiac imaging in a value-based health care system; define cardiovascular imaging for the future; ensure robust innovation and research in cardiac imaging; and maximize imaging formation and improve outcomes.

Discussion of these goals resulted in the formation of a number of strategies that serve as the Think Tank’s recommendations. The report showcases these strategies, which include ensuring that imaging expertise informs patient care; defining training goals for the new cardiac imaging expert; exploring collaborative academic and industry partnerships; and defining and reinforcing minimal standards for image quality, structured data reporting, and workflow for all modalities.

Douglas, et al., note that “the discussion was marked by a sense of optimism and excitement about the future.” Challenges presented by health care reform influenced much of the conversation, particularly the “shifting emphasis from productivity to value.”

The group observed that further input from other areas in imaging are needed, along with additional work to prioritize goals. “In conclusion, although the changing health care landscape is challenging, the cardiac imaging field is able to envision a future of excellence, quality and innovation, and has outlined concrete steps to realize this potential.”

Door-to-Balloon 10 Years Later: Successful Model Sets the Stage for the Next Generation of ACC's QI Programs Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. ACC: Paving the Pathway to Clinical Excellence Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Get to Know Your Leaders: ACC.17 Chair Jeffrey T. Kuvin, MD, FACC and Vice Chair Andrew M. Kates, MD, FACC Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Cardiovascular Innovation: Moving Cardiovascular Care Forward Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. ACC Shares Guideline-Based Information via Google Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Cardiologist Dedicates Career to Carrying on a Legacy Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Raymond Bahr, MD, FACC: The Man Behind the Early Heart Attack Care Education Program and SCPC Accreditation Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Creating an Education Environment to Spur Innovation in Medicine and Science Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Looking Ahead: What’s in Store For the New Medicare Payment System in 2017 Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. ACC Global Education Program on Heart Disease Prevention Expands to 10 Countries Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. ACC Statement Stresses Importance of EHR Interoperability Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. ACC’s First Regional Conferences a Resounding Success Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Shifting the Paradigm: Cardiology and Population Health Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Special Issue of JACC Broadly Examines the Global Promotion of CV Health Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Recap From ESC Congress 2016 Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Cardiac Imaging Think Tank Report Embraces Quality and Innovation For the Future Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Health Affairs Committee Member Publishes Book on New Health Care System Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. In Memoriam: Joseph Lee Garvey Jr., MD, FACC Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Around the World in Photos Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology. Just One More | Cardiology: New Look, Same Great Content in 2017 Read the full Fall 2016 issue of Cardiology at ACC.org/Cardiology.

Keywords: Cardiac Imaging Techniques, Cooperative Behavior, Forecasting, Goals, Health Care Reform, Leadership, Patient Care, Research Design, Workflow, Diagnostic Imaging

< Back to Listings