Translating molecular imaging research into radiologic practice: summary of the proceedings of the American College of Radiology Colloquium, April 22-24, 2001.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) convened a "think tank" of experts on aspects of molecular imaging. The purposes of the colloquium were to develop scenarios about how molecular imaging would develop in the future and to make recommendations to the ACR about how to prepare radiologists for this important set of technologies. The ACR provided participants with background materials, as well as a set of possible questions to keep in mind while reading the materials, prior to the meeting. Subjects covered included the science and technology, regulation and diffusion, training and certification, turf and competition, and a survey of current activities in the realm of molecular imaging in which radiologists are involved. This article presents the observations devolving from the colloquium and recommendations to the ACR.