CBR reinforces its technical and proactive approach and is already aligning its priorities for the coming year.
In 2025, the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (CBR) was characterized by technical, proactive, and collaborative dialogue with the healthcare system, in both the public and private sectors, consistently cooperating on various fronts. Among its main contributions, its participation in Public Consultation No. 144 stands out, highlighting the CBR's role as an entity committed to quality care and the defense of good medical practice.
In partnership with other specialty societies and representatives of civil society, the CBR (Brazilian College of Radiology) presented contributions based on scientific evidence and clinical practice, which were accepted by the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS). As a result, women over 40 years of age were guaranteed the right to mammograms in the Unified Health System (SUS) and in the health insurance network.
Another significant milestone of 2025 was the launch of Radiology AtlasThis is a technical and strategic report for the specialty. The document provides a precise overview of the distribution of equipment and professionals in the country, as well as gathering radiologists' perceptions about the challenges and prospects in the field.
The Brazilian Congress of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (CBR 2025), held in Curitiba (PR), also symbolized this institutional action, connecting technological innovation, scientific updates, and clinical practice, further strengthening the radiological community. In the following interview, the president of the CBR, Rubens Chojniak, discusses the main actions developed in 2025 and reveals the goals and priorities for 2026. Check it out!
CBR – What institutional and regulatory advancements were achieved in 2025 that deserve highlighting in the year's review?
Rubens Chojniak – Diagnostic imaging is today one of the central pillars of modern medicine, as it guides clinical decisions, avoids waste, increases patient safety, and directly impacts health outcomes. Valuing Radiology means valuing care as a whole, and includes recognizing the role of the radiologist, ongoing professional development, and the sustainability of services. It is in this context that the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging operates, integrating the specialty, representing its professionals, and contributing to a more efficient and higher-quality healthcare system.
In 2025, I highlight three main axes. The first was the strengthening of institutional representation and professional advocacy, with the CBR acting technically and responsibly in protecting the medical act, valuing the radiologist physician, and defending adequate conditions for professional practice, always in dialogue with regulatory bodies and other instances of the health system. The second axis was the production of knowledge, transparency, and quality, with initiatives such as... Atlas of Radiology in Brazil 2025 and the strengthening of Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Program (PADI) which consolidates quality standards, patient safety, and best practices in imaging services throughout the country. And the third was scientific and educational consolidation, with the holding of CBR25 in Curitiba, which brought together thousands of professionals, promoted high-level scientific updates, and expanded integration with national and international references.
CBR – In early 2025, the College, in partnership with other medical entities, led the questioning of Public Consultation No. 144 by the ANS (National Agency for Supplementary Health). What does this initiative reveal?
RC – The CBR's participation in Public Consultation No. 144 demonstrates our role as a technical, proactive entity committed to quality healthcare. The College, in partnership with other specialty societies and civil society, presented contributions grounded in evidence and clinical practice. It is important to highlight that the ANS (National Agency for Supplementary Health) accepted these contributions, and the final resolution sought to improve the rules for coverage and organization of procedures, preserving patient safety and quality of care. In this context, special attention was paid to sensitive issues, such as mammographic screening, ensuring greater regulatory clarity to avoid restrictive interpretations that could negatively impact access to early diagnosis.
CBR – On December 19, 2025, the publication of Law No. 15,284 guaranteed free mammograms through the SUS (Brazilian Public Health System) for women from the age of 40. Was this measure a result of action by the CBR (Brazilian College of Radiology)?
RC – Law No. 15,284 amended Law 11,664/2008 and guarantees the right to mammography for women from the age of 40 in the SUS (Brazilian Public Health System). Regarding the CBR's (Brazilian College of Radiology) participation in this context, I can confidently state that the CBR has a long and consistent history of advocating for early diagnosis and improving the quality of imaging care. Whenever there are advancements that expand access responsibly, the CBR recognizes the importance and emphasizes that the next challenge is installed capacity, quality, traceability, and equity so that the benefit reaches the end user. I believe that the CBR has contributed technically to this topic over time, and now the focus is on helping to implement this measure with quality and sustainability.
CBR – In September, the CBR held the 54th Brazilian Congress of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging in Curitiba. What is the importance of this event for strengthening Brazilian radiology?
RC – The CBR25 was a moment of national convergence, bringing together science, education, integration with industry, technological updates, and, above all, strengthening the radiology community. In Curitiba, there were three intense days of content and exchange, with great participation from professionals and speakers, including international ones. Furthermore, the event provided an agenda that connected innovation and clinical practice. This, without a doubt, strengthens the radiologist and improves patient care.
CBR – The launch of the Radiology Atlas was a strategic initiative of the CBR (Brazilian College of Radiology). What is the relevance of this project for understanding the role of radiology in healthcare in Brazil?
RC – The 2025 Radiology Atlas of Brazil is strategic because it transforms radiology into intelligence for the healthcare system. This highly technical document describes the profile and distribution of specialists, the supply of equipment, services, and examinations in both the public and private systems. This range of data offers qualified support in the development of public policies and also contributes to investment decisions in the private sector. As I always say: without data, we debate; with data, we decide.
CBR – What are the main goals of the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging for 2026?
RC – In 2026, the CBR (Brazilian College of Radiology) will strengthen the recognition of radiologists, expand its national and international representation, consolidate its role in ultrasonography, expand professional training, and deepen its institutional performance, focusing on quality, safety, and value of care. To this end, the CBR has defined a set of strategic goals that reflect both current challenges and the institutional role of the specialty. I will briefly explain the main axes below:
1) Valuing and recognizing the role of the radiologist, paying attention to new care models, professional practice conditions, and the radiologist's leading clinical role in the patient's journey;
2) Strengthening the national and international representation of Brazilian radiology, expanding the CBR's presence in scientific, institutional, and regulatory forums, and consolidating the College as a qualified interlocutor for the specialty in Brazil and abroad;
3) Consolidation of the CBR as a representative entity for ultrasound, due to its technical capacity, expanding the defense of specialized medical practice, the quality and safety of examinations, in addition to strengthening professional training and updating throughout the country;
4) Promoting quality and safety in diagnostic imaging by strengthening guidelines, protocols, best practices, and accreditation initiatives;
5) Expansion and modernization of continuing medical education, with more accessible models strengthening the member's connection with the CBR throughout the year;
6) Proactive institutional and regulatory action, with ongoing dialogue with regulatory bodies, public and private managers, and other medical entities, always based on evidence, data, and healthcare impact.
These goals become even more relevant in light of the structural challenges facing the Radiology market, such as the continuous growth in demand for examinations, the increasing technological and care complexity, and, paradoxically, economic pressures that affect the sustainability of services and the valuation of medical work. The CBR understands that facing these challenges requires strong representation, technical dialogue with payers, and a permanent defense of the medical value of diagnostic imaging.
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CBR – How does the College intend to advance, in 2026, in valuing the radiologist physician and facing the challenges posed by technology and changing care models?
RC – In 2026, the appreciation of the radiologist physician will involve three complementary fronts. The first is strengthening clinical leadership, reaffirming the radiologist's role in decision-making and the patient journey. The second is quality and safety of care, focusing on protocols, traceability, communication of critical findings, and best practices. The third front is the responsible incorporation of technologies, especially artificial intelligence.
In this regard, the CBR is developing technical content to assist radiologists and services in the qualified adoption of these technologies, in dialogue with the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), in addition to organizing a catalog of duly approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and promoting discussion forums for the exchange of experiences, critical evaluation, and alignment with the Brazilian healthcare reality.
All of this occurs in a scenario where Radiology faces remuneration models that often do not reflect the technical complexity, medical responsibility, and clinical value generated by the examinations. The CBR (Brazilian College of Radiology) has been working to reinforce that a radiological examination is a complete medical act, involving much more than the issuance of a report, and that the incorporation of technologies, including AI and teleradiology, should strengthen, and never weaken, the quality of care and the value of the radiologist.
CBR – What initiatives are planned to expand professional qualifications, strengthen continuing medical education, and increase member engagement?
RC – We will expand continuing education to increase regional engagement and participation from services of different profiles. The idea is for members to perceive the CBR as 'daily support', and not just as an annual congress. To this end, we are structuring an agenda with intensive courses, webinars, guideline-guided updates, and career/development initiatives.
CBR – How do you intend to strengthen your interaction and dialogue with regulatory bodies, managers, and other medical entities in 2026?
RC – The CBR will strengthen its institutional presence with a permanent technical agenda, offering evidence-based support, data from the Atlas, and real-world system experiences. Radiology is transversal to all of medicine, and therefore, our dialogue needs to be continuous with regulatory bodies, managers, clinical societies, and medical entities, always advocating for access with quality and safety.
In this dialogue with regulators, managers, and other medical entities, the CBR also brings to the discussion the sustainability of imaging services, working conditions, and care models that preserve quality, patient safety, and the ethical practice of medicine.
CBR – What message does CBR have for radiologists and professionals in the field in 2026?
RC – My message is one of unity and purpose. The CBR will continue to fulfill its institutional role of integrating, valuing, and representing Brazilian Radiology, supporting radiologists and imaging services, defending quality of care, the sustainability of the sector, and patient access to accurate and timely diagnosis. Strengthening Radiology is strengthening the entire healthcare system.