Overview

Of mutual interest to both ISMRM and ESMRMB, this workshop follows last year’s High-Value MRI workshop (Washington, D.C.) and forms part of the drive to enhance value to MR as a main strategic development within the MR community.

The workshop will explore and expand the view of MRI in healthcare to include the aspect of economics, exploring how one can measure the value of imaging, the changing nature of payment mechanisms, and how this influences the incentives around diagnostic imaging, methods to improve the value of MR imaging (including both technical and procedural innovations), and opening up the scope of use for MRI to improve the diagnostic pathway in individual patient management. It will also bring different experts in clinical diagnosis, technical innovation, and administrative and reimbursement mechanisms. Ultimately, this workshop will increase cohesiveness to the growing awareness and interest in adapting clinical MR use to best serve the patient and the healthcare system in the future. While the intent of the workshop is to be global, some of the focus will be on the European healthcare systems, which are quite diverse and vary from country to country (ranging from free at point-of-access in the UK National Health Service to pay-for-service in private healthcare).

Lastly, the program will include invited presentations, proffered papers, poster presentations, and panel discussions on clinical utility of technical solutions, best chances for meaningful change, and vendor perspectives on what is needed for value.

Target Audience

Since the value of MR can be described in multiple areas – such as patient benefits, benefit for clinical decision-making, reduction of overall healthcare costs, and optimization of clinical trials – this workshop offers topics that are relevant to a broad range of healthcare professionals (including clinicians) and researchers, as well as affiliated professionals such as technologists, business managers, commercial companies (e.g. vendors, software developers) and pharmaceutical companies.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Devise optimal scheduling of MR investigations;
• Design plans to optimize patient flow;
• Discuss potential costs savings in delivering MR towards patient care;
• Develop research trial protocols that use MR as a biomarker; and
• Generate local quality improvements—e.g., by incorporating machine learning/artificial intelligence tools.