The new year is upon us, so there is not a better time to highlight the many important initiatives and events going on within SCCT in 2018 aimed at improving member engagement and the value of SCCT membership. It is also a time for thanks. The Society is deeply indebted to each of its members, staff, volunteers and partners for their tireless and faithful support. With so much to do in 2018, there are numerous ways to get involved in the Society. We need your help!
1. Member survey
SCCT is developing a new strategic plan in 2018 that will define the priorities of the Society over the subsequent 3–5 years. You may have already received a request for your participation in a member survey. We want to hear from members about their workplace challenges, ideas and educational needs. Please complete this to provide your valuable input that will help shape the direction of SCCT.
2. Advocacy
One of the biggest challenges in the field of cardiovascular imaging is the significant heterogeneity regarding insurer coverage for cardiac CT. Despite an ever-expanding list of randomized trials demonstrating the effectiveness of cardiac CT for improving important healthcare outcomes, as well as appropriate use criteria and guidelines defining patient and test selection, there are large parts of the United States and other countries where providers cannot order a cardiac CT due lack of payer coverage. With a focus on patient access to care, this is a top priority of the SCCT. Through the leadership of Leslee Shaw, Matt Budoff and the entire advocacy committee, we have seen significant improvements in coverage in the U.S. However, there is much more to be done. Changes to coverage plans and preauthorization requirements often happen at the grassroots level so we urge you to engage with local payers and benefit managers to discuss improving patient access to cardiac CT. If cardiac CT is the optimal test for your patients, a determined, informed patient advocate can make a tremendous impact. The SCCT can also help; we are here to provide you with data and support and the engagement of our advocacy team.
3. Education
The SCCT Education Committee is in full swing under the new chairmanship of Ed Nicol. The 2018 SCCT Winter Meeting in London in January promises to be a special event, packed full with hands-on workshops, abstract sessions and two days of fantastic content. With an eye towards the future, the long-term goal is a winter meeting that rotates between sites in Europe and Asia, engaging our growing international membership. The Education Committee will soon publish our first-ever 24-month academic calendar and the online learning system on the SCCT website will soon have a diverse, ever-expanding educational catalogue. Look for the world's best cardiac CT educational content from our board review course, annual scientific meeting, workshops, webinars and more. It is our goal that the SCCT website and courses will be the first source for your training, education and certification needs and for those of your residents and fellows.
4. Call for committee applicants
The SCCT is looking for volunteers as we very much want to broaden our base of engaged members, ensuring that the diversity of our membership is represented on committees and working groups. We recently formalized the process for selecting committee members and the structure of our committees. Going forward, you will see annual requests for committee self-nominations, starting this Spring.
Thank you for a fantastic 2017; we are looking forward to an even stronger 2018!
Conflict of interest disclosures
None relevant to this manuscript.
Disclaimer
The views expressed here are those of the authors only, and are not to be construed as those of the Department of Defense or the United States Government.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 13, 2017
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
