Editorial

 

As we approach the end of the year it has been interesting to look back over what has been achieved. In terms of the newsletter the most important achievement was the publication of the long awaited minimal training standards in edition 1. It has given us all a very good starting point in discussing levels of training required for undertaking competent safe ultrasound examinations. Whilst there are some who know little of the technique who feel that the requirements are much too rigorous, it is important to set a standard which is realistic and achievable so that those who wish to practice independently are aware of what might be expected of them. Certainly I have been involved in discussion with groups of clinicians who wish to introduce ultrasound as a required competency to be achieved by their trainees but are unable to give the trainees the time to get the training - a difficult problem.

We have had a number of other contributions to the Newsletter, mainly from other members of the publications committee whom I have press ganged into providing a contribution. These have all been interesting giving insight into meetings they have attended or issues of interest to ultrasound. I am very grateful to all those who have gone to the trouble of providing such articles.

In the last edition I congratulated Kurt Jaeger on his recent election to honorary membership of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. I have since received a communication reminding me that Christian Nolsoe has likewise been honoured by the Australian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine. The Australian Society have developed very close links with the Danish Society including an exchange programme which promises much. The British Medical Ultrasound society have similar links at Presidential level with the Australian Society and it is very good to see such close cooperation between societies separated by large distances. It can only be good for ultrasound.

The Annual Scientific Meeting in Bologna was both scientifically and socially a great success. All the organisers are to be hartily congratulated for all their hard work. The weather tried to make it difficult for the delegates with torrential rain for much of the time but perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing as it encouraged people to participate more fully in the meeting rather than enjoying the undoubted alternative attractions of Bologna which were many.

The hard work of producing the Newsletter goes on and at the end of the year I would like again to thank Gianna for the work she puts into this which is only a small part of her duties as General Secretary but one which she carries out with great diligence. She and I (and a number of others particularly in the executive bureau) now have the hard work of producing the Newsletter for the start of next year with its larger number of pages and containing the reports of all the committees from the meeting in Bologna. Because of the deadlines much of this needs to be done before Christmas so please think about us when you are all preparing for the festive season and we are working hard over word processors (as well as enjoying ourselves).

David Pilling

Editor EFSUMB Newsletter