On the one hand radiology has been making spectacular progress in imaging, but on the other hand we lack dedicated teachers in the field, according to Prof Kakarla Subbarao, director & VC of Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad and chairman of the Organising Committee of the 57th Annual Congress of the Indian Radiological & Imaging Association.

Most radiologists do not take pride in teaching. The focus is more on practice. There is a good move by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create a college of medical teachers where the emphasis would be on training and teaching methodologies. It would be a combination of theoretical knowledge along with communication skills. This may solve the problem of lack of teaching staff.

There is also a move to pick up two or three diagnostic centres in each region that has all the facilities. Once the credentials of these centres are established and a group of dedicated teaching staff is in place, there could be a possibility of awarding diploma certificates to students.

Rao said, while we need more doctors, the quality of students too is unfortunately not appreciable. They lack proper communication skills and are often poor in English.

Prof Rao admitted that the proliferation of Ultra Sound (US) is a major concern. The US machines have become cheaper, portable and hence there is a big boom. But, mistakes too are alarmingly creeping in and we get a lot of repeat cases. He favoured proper accreditation of centres and a proper Act to check the issue of misuse of US machines. The Act be properly implemented and monitored.

On the possibility of the PET scan coming to Hyderabad, he said the earlier moves to get one have come crashing down. The DST had allocated the Rs.30 crore for this ambitious project. But all that has gone. Now, the move is to get a low resolution PET scanner, but that too may take time.

Prof Rao said price wars in imaging technologies are due to intense competition, not necessarily due to advances in technology. “But I have my own doubts on the quality when volumes are built up in the name of cost cuts. Sometimes instead of taking 12 slices in a CT, hospitals settle for 8. At times hospitals use their own judgement in trying to reduce the number of slices, which may be good. But the bottom line is the less experienced you are, the more the investigation” he said.