The Radiological Society of North American announced Tuesday that it’s still planning to host its popular annual meeting in December despite numerous conference cancellations across the specialty. However, organizers are preparing backup plans in the event that the show is shelved.
As of May 5, RSNA has already received 11,039 abstract submissions from researchers in 75 countries. Those cover 17 subspecialties, with breast, chest, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and neuroradiology some of the most popular topics.
“At this time, RSNA is proceeding with planning for RSNA 2020 in Chicago, optimistic that the COVID-19 outbreak will subside prior to that time,” the society said in a statement.
The 106th iteration of the meeting will kick off on Nov. 29 at the McCormick Place Convention Center—currently being operated as a 1,000-bed temporary hospital—and run through Dec. 4. State and city officials announced last week that they’re in the process of winding down care operations at the facility, with COVID-19’s spread slowing in Illinois.
RSNA is also enhancing the “already successful” virtual portion of its program so that attendees can participate remotely if necessary. Registration is set to open July 22.
Numerous other imaging interest groups have already canceled their conferences or moved them entirely to the web. Some of the latest to opt for a virtual format include the American Society of Radiologic Technologists’ show planned for June in New Mexico, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s meeting slated for October in Miami.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.