The ESR Patient Advisory Group (ESR PAG) played an active role at ECR 2025, hosting its own dedicated programme and contributing patient perspectives to key sessions, further strengthening the patient voice in the radiology community. The ESR PAG is a dedicated body within the ESR, comprised of patient ambassadors and imaging professionals, giving patients a distinct voice in medical imaging and emphasises the importance of greater patient involvement.
The ESR PAG’s programme for ECR 2025 focused on improving communication in radiology to enhance the patient experience and help healthcare professionals better understand and support patients throughout their care journey.
The session “Diversity in Communication Skills: A Practical Approach” explored practical communication techniques to equip healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to effectively engage with patients from all walks of life. This session also offered 4 hands-on workshops, two for radiographers and two for radiologists to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage communication challenges.
A joint session with EuroSafe Imaging, “Communication Champions: A Proposal to Support Improved Patient Communications”, introduced a proposal to promote communication champions within radiology. This initiative aims to support radiologists and radiographers in developing ongoing strategies for improving patient communication across the board. This session is available to watch on demand, for free.
In a European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS) organised session “ESR Patient Advisory Group Supporting Excellence in Patient Care – The Patient and Radiographer”, the latest PAG paper on how effective communication can help radiographers meet the expectations of patients was presented. This paper highlights the important role that communication plays when trying to meet patients’ expectations throughout their imaging journey in a radiology department.
Members of the ESR PAG also played a crucial role by sharing patient perspectives on several key topics throughout the congress, including new cancer screening programmes, Artificial Intelligence, shared decision-making in breast imaging, multidisciplinary approach to endometriosis and adenomyosis, and imaging Crohn’s disease. These presentations provided invaluable insights into how radiology impacts patients and highlighted the importance of integrating the patient voice into clinical practices. In addition to sharing their perspectives, ESR PAG members also highlighted key initiatives of the group, such as The Patient Podcast, which fosters open communication between patients, radiologists, and radiographers on key topics in radiology. Their contributions not only enriched the discussions but also reinforced the essential role that patient-centered care plays in advancing the future of radiology.
