The Role of Radiology in the Era of Compact Ultrasound Systems: SRU Conference, October 14 and 15, 2003

PREAMBLE The Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU) convened its first industry conference in Chicago, Illinois, on October 14 and 15, 2003. Representatives from the SRU and the ultrasound industry met for 2 days to discuss the impact of compact ultrasound on the practice of ultrasound by radiologists. SRU participants were Robert Bree (moderator), Carol Benson, James Bowie Beverly Coleman, Barbara Hertzberg, Alfred Kurtz, Ted Lyons, John Pellerito, Phil Ralls, and Carol Rumack. Industry was represented by Peter Pellerito, Jeff Peiffer, and Nahi Hallman from General Electric; Toni Burkett and Roy Peterson from Philips; Richard Begin and Heike Seck from Siemens; Patrick Martin and Kent Mueller from Sonosite; Robert McClure from Terason; and Anil Singhal and Terry Duesterhoeft from Zonare. Pamela Kassing, Senior Director Economics and Health Policy from the American College of Radiology spoke about the economic impact of compact ultrasound. Formal lectures with active discussion were followed by SRU members adjourning into an executive session to prepare a draft statement. This was presented to the entire group on the second day and the points were discussed until a consensus was reached. Subsequently the revised draft was distributed for further comments. The following document summarizes the final opinion of the group.