CRRS Background Information

Following on the success and high demand for the previous CRRS radiology courses held at the University of Cape Town Lung Institute, we are pleased to announce further courses are to be run at the University of Cape Town Lung Institute. We are most grateful for the continued academic support of this course which is a joint collaboration with our colleagues at the Desmond Tutu Centre, Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town Lung Institute. The course has also been supported academically by the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease through the involvement of their current scientific director Dr Don Enarson.

The CRRS was devised to address differences and inconsistencies in reporting of chest radiographs for lung disease in the context of epidemiological surveys. We are offering this course as an adjunct to the CRRS scoring system with the objective that course participants leave with a reproducible and consistent method of reporting chest radiographs. Because we have a specific expertise and experience in tuberculosis there is a useful emphasis on this disease using the CRRS, although CRRS is designed to be applicable for all lung disease.

The course will consist of an intensive 2 and 1/2 day curriculum centered around chest radiology reporting. Since the inception of the course in 2006 there have been many new and exciting developments of the reporting system, as the CRRS has grown from its origins within the epidemiological reporting context to a clinical reporting tool appropriate in
the era of mass digital radiography.

Some of the frequently asked questions with regard to the course are answered below.
Who can attend?
The course is available to anyone involved or interested in expanding their knowledge in chest radiology reporting. Candidates can improve their skills in the clinical reporting of chest radiographs or the knowledge gained can be applied to epidemiological or population based research where consistent radiology reporting is required. Previous course attendees have included physicians, clinicians, nurses, radiographers and medical researchers.

What will we do?
The timetable will establish the background for reporting; discuss other current reporting systems and develop recording skills. We will define radiological patterns from normal radiographs through to complicated disease patterns. Each candidate will then be assessed on a standard set of 24 representative radiographs and will thus be provided with
the skills to be able to consistently report chest radiographs.

How can I become a CRRS accredited reader?
Accreditation of CRRS readers is provided both to recognize those who have undergone the required course training, and as a means of assuring readers of radiology reports and reputable publications of the proficiency of their readers. Two grades of trained CRRS readers are recognized.
An “A-grade” reader has attended a 3-day CRRS training course and undergone, but not passed the course evaluation, and is thus certified to take part in readings involving the CRRS as one of two reporters, provided the second reader has a B grade rating.
A “B-grade” reader has attended a 3-day CRRS training course and attained the required score during formal evaluation previously conducted on Day 3 of the training course. The reader is thus certified to take part in readings using CRRS with another “A-“ or “B-grade” reader.
*An “A-grade” reader who wishes to upgrade to a “B-grade” rating, need not re-attend CRRS course, but must take part and pass the formal evaluation at a future date.

Who will be conducting the CRRS course training?
By participating in this course you will be introduced to specialists from several disciplines and interact with research staff from a wide clinical spectrum. We also look forward to the opportunity to interact and exchange experience with other researchers involved in similar projects.

Sharing of expertise
It is our hope that we can share our clinical experience and provide a stimulating course that will prove enjoyable and professionally rewarding. The Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch are recognized for their contribution to research on tuberculosis and other infectious disease in the areas of immunology, epidemiology, diagnostics, health systems research and disease management Although not the primary aim, you can also enjoy the welcome of the “Fairest Cape” and experience the beautiful city of Cape Town in an enjoyable and professionally rewarding way. We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Rod Dawson Course Convener
Sheila Scott Course coordinator