This edition of the Newsletter comes at the start of the third year of the new arrangement
between Ultraschall in der Medizin and the European Journal of Ultrasound. The last
two years have gone by incredibly quickly and, looking back, it seems hard to remember
what the Newsletter used to look like. Whilst we all hoped that the subscription numbers
for the Journal would increase, I think only the wildest optimist would have predicted
that, at this stage, 65% of members would be receiving the Journal, due largely to
the foresight of their individual Societies in incorporating the journal subscription
in their annual membership subscription to the national societies. We are most grateful
to them for this. This Newsletter also publishes, formally, the minimum training
standards document which has been much heralded elsewhere. Whilst this is available
on the website as well, many people much value the paper version of all these documents.
The Education and Professional Standards Committee must be congratulated for the hard
work they have put into this document and in their continuing efforts to introduce
some order into ultrasound education standards and training. Only time will tell how
well their efforts pay off.
In Geneva we said goodbye to a number of friends who have served the Federation well
on the Board of Directors or the Executive Bureau. The new term of office of the
Executive Bureau will bring with it new challenges. Looking forward, two years seems
a long time, but to achieve much in that period of time requires extreme dedication
and focus.
For those members of the Federation who only receive this one edition of the Journal,
as well as encouraging you to subscribe to the EJU, either individually or by encouraging
your National Society to subscribe, I would mention that up-to-date news of the Federation
is always available on the website. A small Newsletter is produced every two months
which is available, on the website, to all who access the website, as well as being
in paper form in the European Journal.
It hardly seems any time since the Geneva meeting and Jean-Yves Meuwly’s contribution
reminds us of what a success this meeting was. Nothing stops however and the Bologna
meeting is well advanced in its planning as you will see elsewhere. We all look forward
to a most exciting scientific meeting, as well as a great social event. For any who
have not tried the European meeting, I can thoroughly recommend it.
Finally, as the Newsletter Editor, I must again acknowledge the huge contribution
to the Federation made by Gianna Stanford. Without her tactful guidance and encouragement,
the Newsletter would never happen and my life would be a misery!
Many thanks again Gianna, from me personally and from all those involved in EFSUMB.
David W. Pilling
Editor EFSUMB Newsletter
