European Society of Radiology

European Society of Radiology
Name	European Society of Radiology
Founded	2005
Location	Vienna, Austria
Key people	Boris Brkljačić (President, 2023-2024)
Focus	Medical imaging, Radiology
Website	www.myesr.org

European Society of Radiology. The European Society of Radiology is the premier professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the medical specialty of radiology across Europe. Formed through the merger of two predecessor societies, it serves as a unifying body for radiologists, promoting excellence in patient care, research, and education. Its headquarters are located in Vienna, and it organizes one of the world's largest annual medical imaging congresses.

History

The society was officially founded in 2005, resulting from the merger of the European Congress of Radiology and the European Association of Radiology. This consolidation aimed to create a single, powerful voice for the radiological community in Europe. Its establishment was driven by leading figures in the field, including past presidents such as Nicholas Gourtsoyiannis and Yves Menu. Since its inception, it has grown significantly, reflecting the rapid technological evolution within medical imaging and diagnostic radiology.

Mission and objectives

Its core mission is to serve the healthcare needs of the public by supporting radiologists through continuous education and the promotion of research and innovation. Key objectives include harmonizing training and practice standards across Europe, advocating for the profession within bodies like the European Union, and fostering the highest levels of clinical efficacy and patient safety. The society actively works to integrate advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, molecular imaging, and interventional radiology into mainstream practice.

Annual meeting: European Congress of Radiology

The flagship event is the European Congress of Radiology, held annually in Vienna. It is among the largest radiology meetings globally, attracting thousands of delegates from over 100 countries, including prominent experts from institutions like Mayo Clinic and Charité. The congress features a comprehensive scientific program with presentations on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiation oncology, alongside keynote lectures from luminaries such as Hedvig Hricak. It also includes extensive technical exhibitions from industry leaders like Siemens Healthineers and GE Healthcare.

Publications and educational resources

The society publishes the open-access peer-reviewed journal Insights into Imaging, which features high-quality research and review articles. It also produces the educational magazine European Radiology in partnership with Springer Nature. A cornerstone of its educational outreach is the ESR eLearning platform, which offers a vast library of courses, including the renowned ESR MRI curriculum. Further resources include guidelines, such as those on contrast media safety developed in collaboration with the American College of Radiology, and the EuroSafe Imaging campaign.

Governance and membership

Governance is overseen by an Executive Council and a larger Board of Directors, elected from the membership. The presidency, held by individuals like Regina Beets-Tan, rotates biennially. Membership is open to individual radiologists, radiographers, and scientists, as well as to national radiological societies across Europe, such as the British Institute of Radiology and the German Radiological Society. Member benefits include access to educational materials, discounted congress registration, and participation in committees like the ESR Research Committee.

Affiliated societies and partnerships

The society maintains formal alliances with numerous subspecialty societies, including the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology and the European Society of Breast Imaging. It is a founding member of the International Society of Radiology and works closely with global bodies like the Radiological Society of North America and the World Health Organization. Strategic partnerships also exist with industry consortia and patient advocacy groups to advance shared goals in healthcare innovation and radiation protection.

Category:Medical and health organizations based in Austria Category:Radiology organizations Category:Organizations established in 2005