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
