The joint research group at the University of Mannheim and the University Medical Center Mannheim is investigating the explainability of radiological decision support systems based on artificial intelligence (AI). Existing technologies for explaining AI advice were designed for AI developers but are not sufficiently meaningful for clinical decisions. Using a novel, hybrid AI approach, they have developed a new explanation method that takes into account radiology-informed diagnostic principles and thus improves the understandability and trustworthiness of automated diagnostic recommendations.

To gain further insights into our hybrid approach of radiology-based AI explanations, they kindly invite you as a resident, specialist, or senior physician in radiology to participate in a study. Your clinical background will help to better adapt the technologies to the actual working environment. At the same time, you can gain exciting insights into the development progress of AI systems.

The study is conducted as an online experiment and takes less than 15 minutes and is open until 30 September. It includes short questions on previous AI use, the detection of pulmonary nodules in CT imaging, and a final survey on the understandability of AI support.

Your answers will be treated anonymously and confidentially so that your identity cannot be traced. As a thank you for your time, they are giving away ten Amazon vouchers worth €50 each among all participants. If you are interested, they will also be pleased to send you the most important results afterwards. You can access the online experiment here:

If you have any further questions about the study or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact them by e-mail (oberste@uni-mannheim.de) or phone (+49 (0) 151 7000 1994).

We would like to inform you that the European Commission has launched an open stakeholder consultation on the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), as part of the programme mid-term evaluation.

The consultation seeks to gain insights into the needs of stakeholders related to the digital transformation, DIGITAL’s benefits and possible improvements. As such, it will gather diverse perspectives on how relevant the objectives of the programme are to the digital transformation of European companies and the public sector, how the programme responds to current and future technological trends, the perceived coherence with other EU or national/local funding the expected impact. Participation is expected from all types of stakeholders, from small and medium-sized enterprises to non-governmental organisations, academia, social partners, public authorities, and other public and private organisations and citizens from EU Member States and associated countries.

The replies to the consultation questionnaire and all feedback received will help guide the design of future initiatives and inform reflections on the potential for simplification and burden reduction within the Digital Europe programme. The Commission will then publish a summary report of the consultation findings and the replies from stakeholders.

We invite you to contribute to the mid-term evaluation of DIGITAL by providing your feedback and participating to the public consultation. The links to feedback and to consultation questionnaire are also available in Have your Say (europa.eu).

The consultation is open until September 20th, 2024.

For further information, read the European Commission’s press release.

As the SINFONIA project approaches its end, enthusiasts and professionals alike are urged to seize a final opportunity to delve into cutting-edge advancements in personalized dosimetry and quantitative radiation risk assessment.

Mark your calendars for an unparalleled opportunity in radiation science! From August 19-21, 2024, the highly anticipated SINFONIA course on personalised dosimetry and quantitative radiation risk assessment will take place at the Multimedia room of Ghent University, located at Campus Sterre, Building S9, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.

This exclusive course will showcase groundbreaking insights and methodologies developed throughout the SINFONIA project, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of personalised dosimetry and its pivotal role in enhancing radiation risk assessment strategies.

Key Details:

• Dates: 19-21 August 2024
• Location: Multimedia room of Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Building S9, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
• Course Description and Programme: Course Description and Programme
• Application Deadline: 2 August 2024
• Capacity: Limited to 45 participants
• Open to: Consortium and non-consortium partners alike

Act swiftly to secure your place! Register now at SINFONIA Course Registration and await confirmation of your acceptance into this transformative educational experience.

To register, click here.

Join us in shaping the future of radiation protection through personalised dosimetry and quantitative risk assessment!

We are thrilled to announce that DeepTrace Technologies and Gleamer have joined EIBIR as our newest industry partners. We are excited about the possibilities and collaborations that these partnerships will bring, and we look forward to exploring how we can work together to advance biomedical imaging research and innovation.

About DeepTrace Technologies

DeepTrace Technologies emerged in 2015 after two pioneering Italian researchers demonstrated the potential of artificial intelligence in predicting Alzheimer’s disease through in-vivo brain imaging. This breakthrough prompted the creation of a startup aimed at bridging the gap between science and society. Since its beginning, DeepTrace has grown to include a team of passionate researchers dedicated to translating intelligent technologies into groundbreaking products for the benefit of society.

About Gleamer

Gleamer is at the forefront of medical imaging innovation, committed to developing a comprehensive AI copilot to facilitate precision medicine. Their AI applications are designed to meet daily clinical needs, offering a seamless experience integrated into existing workflows. Gleamer’s solutions, which currently support X-rays of bones and the chest, will soon extend to mammography and CT scans. Known for their high standards of performance and patient data security, Gleamer has earned accolades such as the Best New Radiology Vendor Award at the EuroMinnies and a top 10 finish in Google’s EMEA AI contest in 2023.

EIBIR is excited to welcome these innovative companies into our community. We believe that the combined expertise and cutting-edge technologies of DeepTrace Technologies and Gleamer will significantly enhance our collaborative efforts to drive advancements in biomedical imaging. Together, we look forward to making strides in research that will benefit patients and healthcare providers.

Stay tuned for more updates on our collaborations and the impactful projects that will emerge from these new partnerships.

EIBIR, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP) have since January 2023 spearheaded the SAMIRA study on reporting and learning from patient-related incidents and near misses in radiotherapy, interventional cardiology, nuclear medicine and interventional and diagnostic radiology, or MARLIN project. The study has collected and analysed information on the implementation of Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom (Basic Safety Standards Directive or BSSD) requirements for reporting and learning from patient-related incidents and near misses in these five clinical areas and developed best-practice consensus guidelines on the implementation of the BSSD. Thus, MARLIN aims to stimulate further national and EU-wide efforts in this area.

As the project nears completion, the consortium will present its results and recommendations at a workshop at the BluePoint Brussels on 5–6 September 2024, and stakeholders in the regulation, implementation and operation of incident learning systems from clinical facilities, competent authorities and professional societies are kindly invited to discuss the relevant issues.

• The workshop begins at approximately 13:00 on Sept. 5 and ends approximately at 16:00 on Sept. 6
• The draft programme is available on the project website
• Registration: Participation is free of charge, but registration is required using an online form by Sunday, June 30. Onsite attendance will be confirmed by email following completion of the registration form, as seats are limited.
• Participants are responsible for their travel and hotel arrangements and related costs.

The workshop will bring together the following groups.

• National competent authorities
• National health authorities
• European and national professional societies
• European and international bodies such as the European Commission and Heads of the European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities
• European and international experts in the field
• Patient representatives
• Industry
• SAMIRA SGQS and article 31 WP MED

We look forward to your participation and feedback on the project’s work!
….
This project has received funding from the European Commission under Service Contract N° ENER/2022/NUCL/SI2.880751.

Under the leadership of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), in collaboration with the European Federation for Cancer Images (EUCAIM), we are delighted to announce that the proposal for the thematic network titled “Advancing Precision Medicine for Europe’s Cancer Patients with AI-powered Imaging” has been successfully accepted. This proposal received the highest number of votes among all submitted initiatives, marking a significant achievement for our collaborative efforts.

The proposed thematic network aims to leverage data and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to develop more personalized and effective treatment strategies for cancer patients. Furthermore, the network builds upon the groundwork laid by EUCAIM, aiming to better integrate AI-powered imaging with other diagnostic tools and data with the goal to facilitate the integration of comprehensive diagnostics into clinical practice, thereby contributing to the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the EU Cancer Mission, and the broader digital health agenda. Additionally, it addresses the implications of the new legislative landscape in digital health, particularly the AI Act and the European Health Data Space (EHDS).

For further information, please read ESR’s press release.

Join us for the Live Webinar on June 24th

To learn more about this exciting proposal, we invite you to join the EUHPP Live Webinar on June 24th, 2024. During this webinar, the 2024 Thematic Network leaders will present their proposals to the public. This pitch webinar will also provide an opportunity for you to ask questions and meet the leaders virtually.

Webinar Details:

• Date: June 24, 2024
• Time: 10:00-12:00 CEST
• Registration Link: click here

We look forward to your participation in this webinar!

We are delighted to share with our community the recording of our successful webinar hosted by EIBIR in collaboration with ESR, focusing on the impact of cancer imaging research and digital transformation of healthcare.

The webinar aimed to delve into the intersection of cancer imaging research and digital healthcare, spotlighting digital infrastructures, AI and lung cancer screening. With participation from leading experts, it fostered discussions on the latest advancements, challenges and opportunities in this dynamic field.

700 participants from around the world joined us for this important webinar, contributing to its success. EIBIR extends its sincere gratitude to all participants, speakers and collaborators. The agenda featured insightful presentations and an interactive panel discussion.

Welcome and Introduction by Regina Beets-Tan
The European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research – What Does EIBIR Hold for You? by Regina Beets-Tan
Harnessing AI for Cancer Imaging in the Era of Digital Transformation by Luis Marti-Bonmati
Advancements in Lung Cancer Screening by Hans-Ulrich Kauczor
Interactive Panel Discussion moderated by Regina Beets-Tan

The webinar’s resounding success reaffirms our commitment to hosting more insightful events in the future, advancing knowledge exchange and collaborating in the field of biomedical imaging research. Stay tuned for upcoming events and initiatives from EIBIR and ESR!

The European Commission has initiated a voting poll to inaugurate a new cycle of Thematic Networks under the EU Health Policy Platform.

Under the leadership of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), in collaboration with the European Federation for Cancer Images (EUCAIM), a proposal for a new thematic network titled “Advancing Precision Medicine for Europe’s Cancer Patients with AI-powered Imaging” has been submitted for consideration within the public health area of “Unlocking the power of artificial intelligence against cancer”.

This initiative aims to transform cancer care by seamlessly integrating AI-powered imaging with other diagnostic tools and data, enhancing the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission.

Help make a difference by casting YOUR VOTE for this proposal on the Health Policy Platform’s Agora Network!

⏳ Deadline: May 21st

More information about the voting process and proposal here

EuCanImage is hosting a free workshop on AI in multi-country oncology, not only from technical, but also clinical perspective. Additionally, attendees will gain practical experience with the EuCanImage data collection and the platform for individual studies during a hands-on session. The workshop is tailored for clinical and technical AI scientists keen on conducting their own multi-centre AI research.

When: 10 June 2024
Where: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Cost: Free of charge
Registration deadline: 27 May 2024

The workshop committee:
Martijn Stramans, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Maciej Bobowicz, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
Karim Lekadir, University of Barcelona, Spain

Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/dm3fMeMAGq
More information about the workshop: https://eacr.org/conference/eucanimageworkshop2024/index
Read about EuCanImage: https://eucanimage.eu/

We are thrilled to announce that EIBIR in collaboration with ESR will be hosting an insightful webinar focused on the significant impact of cancer imaging research and the digital transformation of healthcare.

This webinar aims to explore the intersection of cancer imaging research and the digital transformation of healthcare, with a focus on digital infrastructures, AI and lung cancer screening. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, we seek to foster discussions on the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.

🎯 Target Audience:

• Healthcare professionals
• Researchers in medical imaging and oncology
• Industry professionals in healthcare technology and AI development
• Policy makers and healthcare administrators

📝 Agenda:

1. Welcome and introduction (Regina Beets-Tan)
2. The European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research – what does EIBIR hold for you? (Regina Beets-Tan)
3. Harnessing AI for Cancer Imaging in the Era of Digital Transformation (Luis Marti-Bonmati)
4. Advancements in Lung Cancer Screening (Hans-Ulrich Kauczor)
5. Interactive panel discussion (Moderated by Regina Beets-Tan)

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, 15:00 CEST.

🔗 Registration Link: https://form.jotform.com/241121290151339

⏳ Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 7th, 16:00 CEST.

Don’t miss this chance to delve into the forefront of cancer imaging research with EIBIR and ESR! Register now to secure your spot and be part of this insightful discussion.

The webinar is officially accredited by EACCME® for 1 European CME credit. Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.