2007-Issue02

EFSUMB Newsletter

EFSUMB Newsletter European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology

Editorial re. Revision of the indications for use in the previous areas together with newer guidance make this revision very important and shows how EFSUMB is very much leading the way in its advice to members.

Fresh from my Caribbean holiday and just in advance of departure to AIUM in New York I need to write to you aware that you have only just received the last edition and not much has happened in the early part of the year apart from the meeting in Rotterdam to revise the Contrast Media guidelines about which you will hear mo-

David Evans and his colleagues on the Executive Bureau have produced a statement published here outlining the value of EFSUMB membership. I think as someone very much involved with the working of EFSUMB. I can relate very much to the first section but perhaps less with the second. I think many of us as ordinary members will relate more to our National societies forgetting what the European Federation has to offer us as individuals - a timely reminder therefore.

To return to my initial thoughts, I always enjoy AIUM. It is a very intensive meeting over a weekend (Friday to Sunday). This year being held in a hotel in Times Square will put serious temptations in the way of clinicians and scientists although I am sure the excellent programme will enable all but the weakest to make the most of the Programme. Whether we can resist the temptation of it being St. Patrick's day as well or not only time will tell.

I hope if deadlines permit to give you more news of this in this newsletter but if not certainly next time.

David Pilling Editor EFSUMB Newsletter

Building a European Ultrasound Community Dear Colleagues, A question the EFSUMB Executive Bureau constantly ask themselves (and I am sure this is also true of many of our members) is: 'Where has EFSUMB got to and what is its role in the first decade of the 21st Century'? In many ways EFSUMB is in a very healthy state: it has an ever increasing membership - we are by far the largest member of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology - and we have a relatively stable financial base.

But we need to build on this. Remaining stationary in a more and more rapidly changing world is not an option, and there are many challenges that we have to face.

We need to continue to define our role, and adapt to changing circumstances. In the early days organisations such as ours championed the use of ultrasound, tried to persuade other of its benefits, and encouraged the widespread use of the technique. In this endeavour we succeeded, but the irony is that we were so successful that ultrasound has become such an integral part of medicine that most people working in the field no longer think of themselves primarily as ultrasound practitioners - ultrasound is simply part of their diagnostic (or therapeutic) armamentarium. We therefore face the challenge of maintaining a central role in ultrasound research and development, in

ultrasound education, and in the exchange of scientific knowledge as mandated by our constitution.

Too much navel-gazing can lead to paralysis. It is important that we continue to examine our role, but there are many achievements we can celebrate, many reasons why we should continue to press for a stronger organisation, and many reasons for both individuals and National Societies to be members of EFSUMB. It is our belief that one of the most important roles of EFSUMB is to continue to build a European Ultrasound Community so that the individual National ultrasound societies can work together, can benefit from a much Ultraschall in Med 2007; 28

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EFSUMB Newsletter

greater critical mass, can learn from each others experiences, and can play an important role on the World ultrasound stage.

What then are the advantages of being a member of EFSUMB? These can perhaps be divided into two categories, the advantages of the existence of EFSUMB as an organisation, because without individual members there would be no organisation, and advantages to individual members given the organisation exists.

Advantages of EFSUMB include: 5 3 A Europe wide Ultrasound Federation which encourages networking between ultrasound professionals of all disciplines throughout Europe, allowing them

to benefit from the wealth of experience and knowledge from other countries and other health-care systems.

3 The annual EUROSON meetings which provide a unique opportunity to meet with practitioners from other European countries, to hear talks given by many international experts, to present exciting new data to colleagues from across Europe, and to become involved in ultrasound science, education, research, teaching and politics at a supranational level.

3 The ability to influence Ultrasound issues on a world-wide basis through our membership of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.

3 Euroson schools which provide high level ultrasound education in diverse parts of Europe.

3 ECMUS - the European Committee for Medical Ultrasound Safety, which takes a lead in keeping the membership upto-date with all aspects of medical ultrasound safety, and provides expert considered views through the publication of statements on ultrasound safety.

3 The Education and Professional Development Committee which considers all aspects of medical ultrasound education and professional development throughout Europe, and publishes recommendations on a variety of matters such as minimum standards of training.

3 The Publication Committee which ensures that the membership is kept upto-date with the affairs of EFSUMB.

Advantages to individual members include: 5 3 Participation in a large Pan-European ultrasound community.

3 Eligibility to attend meetings of the EFSUMB General Assembly and comment on EFSUMB affairs.

3 Eligibility to serve on all EFSUMB committees.

3 Opportunity influence European and World-wide ultrasound issues through membership of EFSUMB. 3 Reduced fees at Euroson meetings.

3 Reduced fees at many EFSUMB sponsored meetings.

3 Greatly reduced subscriptions to Ultraschall in der Medizin / European Journal of Ultrasound.

3 Six news letters per year.

3 Automatic membership of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.

3 Reduced subscriptions to Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.

3 Personalised membership certificates.

3 Eligibility for awards such as the Young Investigator's award and the Euroson Lecturer.

David Evans (EFSUMB President) Norbert Gritzmann (EFSUMB President-Elect) Kurt Jaeger (EFSUMB Past-President) Lucas Greiner (EFSUMB Honorary Secretary) Pietro Pavlica (EFSUMB Honorary Treasurer)

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