Magnetic Resonance Special Interest Group

Introduction to MR

Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the inside of the human body. Healthcare scientists work to deliver and support the safe and effective use of MRI in healthcare. Researchers working with MRI look to continue to advance MR technology to improve healthcare services or to develop our knowledge of the human body.

The role of clinical scientist in MRI

Clinical scientists specialising in MRI perform a number of duties including but not limited to:

• MR Safety
• Quality Assurance and troubleshooting
• MR Procurement and MR site design
• Clinical service delivery and improvement
• Quality management and governance
• Research development and innovation
• Education and training
• Clinical scientific computing and informatics

The broad range of activities is reflected in the make-up of the MR-SIG which includes individuals working in MR physics roles in healthcare settings, industry and in academia. The MR-SIG has observers from a range of bodies including MHRA.  The MR-SIG, as for all IPEM SIGs, reports to the Science, Technology, Engineering, Research (STERIC) and the Professional and Standards Council (PSC)

The goals of the MR-SIG

1. To be the ‘spokesperson’ and expert consultation group for IPEM on MR issues.
2. To be an advocate for our MR scientific profession by producing policy statements and workforce guidance (see below).
3. To act as a conduit to its members to address queries from government relating to MRI or from bodies that create international standards
4. To facilitate responses to relevant standards or guidance, draft publications & legislation relating to MRI.
5. To engage with and mobilise the MR community to address issues of common importance to the workforce via the Community of Interest, the MRIPhysics jiscmail list and twitter /X.
6. To coordinate a programme of scientific and educational meetings and webinars, on the subject of MRI.
7. To encourage and develop evidence-based practice and to monitor the impact of new technology in the field of MRI.
8. To encourage liaison between members working in different environments such as academia, industry and healthcare.
9. To review levels of workforce provision and expertise within MR physics
10. To support IPEM’s mission to “improve health through physics and engineering medicine”.

Key policies and guidance produced by the MR-SIG

1. A detailed description of the Role of the clinical scientist in MRI

2. A recommendation of the appropriate safety measures that MR units ought to put in place. This document is complemented by workforce recommendations for this support including guidance on the minimum provision of staffing for the MR scientific workforce,

IPEM MR-SIG Task and Finish Groups

Community engagement often stimulates the requirement for pieces of work of importance to the community. IPEM calls these Task and Finish (T&F) groups. These T&F groups form another significant part of MR-SIG activity. T&F may be generated by a committee or any IPEM members.

If you have an idea for a T&F group we would recommend engaging with the community via the methods outlined above and to contact the MR-SIG. Applications for T&F groups can be found under the ‘Resources for volunteers’ section: Resources for Volunteers - IPEM.  

Notable output from IPEM T&F groups in recent years includes: 

• MRI Safety notices
• Recources on Adavanced Acceleration technologies (AAT)
• MR safety training for a variety of audiences through e-Learning for Health:
• The IPEM MR Safety Expert Certification scheme
• Guidance on MRI provision for cauda equina syndrome, produced in collaboration with the Royal College of Radiologists and the Society and College of Radiographers
• Guidance on the use of MRI for external beam radiotherapy treatment planning, produced in collaboration with the Radiotherapy SIG

Curent T&F groups:

• Planning for new installations and acceptance
• Generic Implant Safety Protocols
• Workforce Planning

Interested in joining the MR-SIG?

The members of MR-SIG are IPEM volunteers who meet several times a year, both virtually and in person. If you want to join the committee follow to community of interest or MRI physics jiscmail for the annual call for new members. More information on volunteering can be found here.