To mark World Radiography Day, which is celebrated on November 8 each year, Aspetar – the Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, organised a symposium that explored topics related to radiography, its development, and it’s evolving uses in the medical field given radiography’s pivotal role in the development of the global medical industry.

Held for the seventh consecutive year, the symposium consisted of four participant-led sessions and workshops running from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, during which attendees, comprising radiology specialists and researchers from a number of local institutions, engaged directly with speakers through interactive Q&A panel discussions.

The sessions focused on the latest developments in the field of radiography in athlete screening. It highlighted the important role of imaging in the patient pathway including in instances such as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgical reconstruction for athletes and post-surgical aftercare, and recognising the influence of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in cardiac screening of athletes. Participants also discussed the importance of radiation protection in Computed Tomography (CT) scans – a diagnostic imaging test used to create detailed images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels, recreated in 3D reconstruction.

Commenting on the symposium, Mrs. Salwa Allenjawi, Director of Medical Imaging at Aspetar, said:

The rapid development that radiography is witnessing requires a continuous evaluation by specialists to keep up with the progress.  Aspetar has reached advanced stages in its capabilities in radiography, in both diagnosis and treatment, and this enables those who work in the field to benefit from our knowledge and experiences. This annual symposium is yet another part of our continued efforts to share our developments and expertise, and contribute to the global sports medicine industry.

Medical screenings are vital to the health of the athlete and can identify pre-existing cardiovascular abnormalities and thereby reduce the potential for adverse events and loss of life due to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). MRI-Based Screening helps detect pre-existing heart defects and minimise the risk of SCD among athletes.

World Radiography Day is an annual event that promotes the role of medical imaging in modern healthcare. It is celebrated on November 8 each year, and coincides with the anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s 1895 discovery of x-rays, which effectively laid down the foundation for the new medical discipline of radiography. Röntgen, therefore, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1905.

This symposium has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP).  Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital is accredited by the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners to provide continuing medical education for healthcare practitioners.

Aspetar continuously conducts leading medical research and studies in sports medicine, and provides medical care and treatment from stars and clubs from around the world, due to its role as the first orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital in the region.

About Aspetar:

Aspetar is a world leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since 2007, with a world expert team, the hospital has provided top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the-art facility that sets new standards internationally.

In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence” by F-MARC. In 2013, Aspetar was adopted as a reference collaborator centre by the Gulf Countries Council (GCC) Health Ministers Council and “IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health” in 2014.

In 2015, Aspetar has been recognised as the “IHF Reference Centre for Athlete and Referee Health”. In the same year, the hospital also achieved the obtained on December 15 the Accreditation Canada International (ACI) “Platinum Level”.

Aspetar is a member–organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.