Welcome

There is no doubt that IT is the core for modern medical imaging. Nearly all modern imaging modalities are digital and data-processing is the key in production, manipulation, storage and communication of images produced by them. Diffusion of IT into different aspects of human life has covered functions of imaging department as well. So, activities of people working in radiology and radiology-related departments have been affected by different applications of IT. For this reason, learning and researching on “imaging informatics” is an inseparable part of modern radiology science.
Although digital imaging is started and conducted by imaging departments but its outcomes is not limited to radiology ward. Remote access is very helpful for most of clinical disciplines. Image reconstruction in clinical environments tailored to treatment plan of physicians is actually in new tool in the hands of clinicians. Development and advancements in image-guided treatment/intervention planning systems has opened new frontiers to the practice of many clinical professions. Surgical robots are mostly dependant on digital navigated images. In addition, added value of digital imaging methods for management of radiology department is effective for higher quality of health care at all. These are the reasons why extra-radiological potentials of digital imaging have recently been emphasized internationally. It is of more specific importance for Iranian radiological community. Raising the awareness of non-radiologist physicians will affect decisions made in private and public sectors to adopt and expand digital imaging solutions since the radiologists are not the only or main decision makers to launch or support digital radiology projects.
The 2nd Iranian imaging informatics conference is honored by kind participation of world-class experts: Prof. Heinz U Lemke, Prof. John C Chiu, Prof. Ramin Shaihidi and Prof. Peter Mildenberger providing a multi-disciplinary faculty from engineering, surgical and radiological groups. The conference will provide unique learning opportunity for those seeking update knowledge about imaging informatics. Meanwhile there will be multiple hands-on training courses and also exhibitions and tours to let Iranian radiological community to explore actual digital solutions and negotiate vendors in Iran.
I look forward seeing you in Olympic hotel of Tehran on 15th October 2008 and foresee an informative friendly inter-disciplinary technical-clinical meeting.

Mansoor Fatehi M.D.
Conference Chair