The Image Gently® Alliance mission is "… through advocacy, to improve safe and effective imaging care of children worldwide" [1-3]. The Image Gently® model [2,3 ] continues to afford the opportunities to enhance the practice of imaging children through partnerships beyond North America. One of the most successful alliances has been with Latin America including close affiliations with LATINSAFE, with enhanced efforts beginning in 2017 through establishment of formal societal relationships, especially in Brazil. These activities and work performed which have continued to grow in 2019 will be outlined below.
1. Foundations in 2017-88 between the Image Gently® Alliance and Latin American Societies
· Identification of committed leadership and expertise in Latin America, especially in Brazil,
· establishment of responsive communication networks between the Image Gently® Alliance and relevant societies,
· alignment in shared strategies and tactics with relevant Latin American societies/organizations (Figure 1),
· adoption of appropriate aspects of the Image Gently® model in furthering the missions of these societies/organizations.
2. In addition to the above elements, 2019 afforded:
a. Additional inclusion of medical societies beyond medical imaging societies (Figure 2, 3)
b. Recognition of the value of networking in increasing all societal partnerships with Image Gently®
i. Includes information configured to be relevant for the society membership, such as through presentations (see below)
c. The value of consistent messaging, including the value of imaging upfront in discussions about radiation protection
d. The value of “conjugal” relationships in penetration of missions, such as between Image Gently® and Image Wisely in efforts through messaging, such as presentations
e. Promotion of accomplishments of partner societies
3. Significant Numbers
In Brazil:
- 225,000,000 inhabitants
- 65 million children and adolescents (Brazilian Pediatric Society information)
- 450,000 active medical doctors working (Federal Council of Medicine information - CFM)
- 35,000 Pediatricians (Brazilian Pediatric Society information)
- 12,000 radiologists
Other
- 60,000 Radiologists in 25 countries (CIR-Colegio Inter-Americano De Radiologia)
- Latin America: 20 countries, population of 625 million population
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