A recent request for a work item to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) Standards Committee (DSC) triggered the question of whether or not it is time for a next generation of DICOM. DICOM is at a crossroads facing requests for changes to leverage newer computing technologies and adapt to those changes swiftly, while preserving its adherence to existing data models in a non-breaking fashion. These changes add potentially undue complexity to remain compliant, which limits the efficiency of the requested changes.
A subcommittee of DICOM WG-10 (Strategic Advisory) has been tasked to prepare a report to help organize and scope the work and identify some of the key concepts and considerations. The decision on whether and how to proceed will be made by the DSC. The report is intended to inform those decisions.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) joined together in 1983 to form a Standards Committee which has evolved from ACR-NEMA 300, to ACR-NEMA V2.0, to what today is referred to as DICOM v3 (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) and was first published by NEMA in 1993. The DICOM standard has evolved over the past 30 years with the addition of numerous supplements and change proposals to keep up with the ever-changing radiologic technology.
For those interested in listening to or participating in the discussion, Shayna Knazik, the DICOM General Secretary is taking information of interested parties via her email, sknazik@dicomstandard.org. The first public meeting will be held Monday January 29th at 12 p.m. EST.
ACR will be represented by Brian Bialecki, Director of IT Standards and Interoperability, at these discussions as well as a voting member of the DSC reviewing the report. Please consider participating in this effort as DICOM prepares to serve Radiology for the next 30 years.