Special Derek C. Harwood-Nash, Chairman, RSNA Program
RSNA
MB, ChB, Committee
Scientific
modest
contributions
stone been
of human the secret
since
the
to the
vast
knowledge, of Western
17th
Century,
Four
years
ago
by
Dr
the
structed
abstracts
mum best
significance
choice possible
of papers Scientific
basic cone of our annual message is still pertinent quined
reference
for
timely
and
Helen
C.
(1)
potential
ab-
stract writer. The number of abstracts submitted continues to increase, the quality continues to improve, the content continues
their mate
to be current-so
processing, presentation
must
selection, continue
Thomas
and ultiefficient-
terms:
America,
#{149} Special
ing
Radiology Address partment
Radiological
scientific
RSNA,
and
of North annual
meet-
communications
1990; reprint
1990
requests
to the author,
Hospital
Ave.
Foronto,
for
our
Board
Sick
Ontario,
DeChil-
Dr
The
from the to its ubti-
and
often basic
Processing abstract
has
sue
and three
application
been
is paired
its partner
with for
following
in this
completely
is-
redesigned
but
separate
Scientific
from
Exhibits.
The
new
features merit highabstract and its title are on a separate page from the list of authors. (b) The instructions include a directive requiring the applicant to (a) The
lighting:
use four headings-purpose, ods and materials, results, clusions-aspects that are
tial building
blocks
presentation
and
and also
methconessen-
for successful
publication. If this style is not conformed to, the abstnact’s acceptability will be significantly compromised. (c) The abstract must not be longer than 200 words. (d) The deadline for abstract submission is later than in previous years. (e) The previous practice of requiring an additional 100-word abstract for
accepted papers is unnecessary; new style 200-word abstract in
the
printed
has
these concise
abstract
construction
cant, by
the
more Works
Works
major
enables
and
advantages: more by
Progress
remain
succinct, as yet incomplete for projects of timely signifi-
Program The the
Preparation printed
banger
It
accurate the
appli-
evaluation and program. shorten,
program
abstracts
will
with
headings. The content cance of the abstracts more readily evaluated bens
and
guests.
contain
the
four
and significan thus be by our mem-
To accommodate
the
size and number of abstracts, the format of the 1990 printed program will be more compact. In a new feature, “Walk through the Week at RSNA,” the material in the program relevant to a selected topic (modality, procedure, on organ system)
is highlighted
to afford
in-
terested registrants a comprehensive continuing education exercise within the Scientific Program. A liaison has recently been estabbished between our Scientific Program Committee and that of the new European Congress of Radiology. It has already fruitful and
proved mutually promising. Their
most ideas
and concepts will surely assist us in our program innovations and in improved integration of international participants. Special Focus Sessions remain a most important vehicle for the presentation
of fast-breaking
cepts
outside
papers
and
Paper
the
new
format
refresher
The
courses.
ant of presenting improved,
papers
Thespian
abilities
experienced
ways benefit hearsal with ty of the flects on presenter
has
particularly
the quality of slides and the of information. Nevertheless, less
con-
of proffered
Presentation
significantly
format was used in Progress
better and quicken Program Committee, detail in the printed in
the will be
program.
The four-headings in a trial for 1989
more ideas cance.
Liaison
possible functions to be evaluated were (a) abstract processing, (b) program preparation, and (c) paper presentation.
and
174:241-242
of Radiology,
dren, 555 University Canada M5G 1X8. ,,
Society
assembly
ends,
for Education and a past Scientific Program chairman himself, exammed every aspect of the natural his-
used Index
S. Hanle,
Abstract
meeting. Hen and a ne-
any
To these
mate presentation publication. The
of webb-conto the optito compose the Program, the
leading
appropriately.
it
Redman, then chairman of the Scientific Program of the Radiological Society of North America, appeared in our Journal (2). It dealt with the strategy and style of abstract writing, decried some strategems, and encouraged accurate compliance with instructions. Above all, Dr Redman stressed
and
the Scientific Program Committee and the RSNA staff, together with
tory of a scientific paper preliminary instructions
for
a most
article
by
Revisited
has science
achieves a corporate, collective power that is far greaten than any one individual can exert. JOHN H. ZIMAN
instructive
FRCPC
Program
. . . a typical scientific paper has never pretended to be more than another little piece in a large jigsaw-not significant in itself but as an element in a grander scheme. This technique, of soliciting many
Communication
of the presenters
quality the
younger, can
from preliminary a senior peer. The
abnequali-
presentation not only rethe reputation of the but must also be directed
241
toward standing sentation qualities
the enjoyment and underof the audience. The preshould have all the basic of a good short, one-act
play.
The moderator of a session is and must be a key participant-conducton, timer, counselor, scientific napporteur, and commentator, but rarely a magician. A moderator can make a modest paper on session exciting, a superb paper or session memorable. The participation and activities of moderators are being significantly enhanced by special directives and requirements formulated by the Scientific Program Committee. An invitation to be a moderator is a tacit acknowledgment of the moderator’s premier scientific maturity. Questions from the floor should also be of
good quality, constructive, plementary
quality
meeting journals.
of papers
accepted
is thus
passed
for
that facilitates the possible evaluation. presentable
complimentary
necessary. Various recipes for question time are being tried within the Scientific Program; your opinions about them are welcome. Each paper presented at the meeting must be submitted for possible publication in Radiology, RadioGraphics, or Medical Physics. The high the
on to these
and
best and swiftest The results are a comprehensive
Sci-
entific Program, and its concomitant printed version, of the highest quabity with the most appropriate scientific and special sessions containing the
very
best
of over
2,500
abstracts
re-
ceived. The conclusion will therefore be clear: The best medical Scientific Program is to be found at the annual meeting of the RSNA. Quod erat demonstrandum. U References
Epilogue The Scientific Program and the RSNA staff are working and dedicated. is to organize
possible fened
#{149} Radiology
indeed
on
critical yet and com-
if
methods
242
pertinent, supportive,
and
Scientific and
abstracts
construct
Committee very hardOur purpose the
1.
Ziman JH. Knowledge.
2.
Redman abstract
Information, communication, Nature 1969; 224; 318-324. HC. The art and some aspects
writing.
Radiology
1986;
of
158:270-
271.
best
Program. Our are the profprepared in a format
materials
January
1990