Editorial

Because of publishing deadlines this editorial has been written before the EUROSON Congress in Bologna. The meeting promises to be a very successful one in scientific terms with many interesting topics being discussed. I have never been to Bologna before but I understand it is a very beautiful city and I am looking forward very much to exploring the city as well as benefiting from the science. This edition of the Newsletter contains two reports from other meetings this summer. Professor Dietrich obviously enjoyed himself very much in Poland and shares with us some of the things that surprised him at what was obviously a very successful scientific meeting in a very active society.

Lucas Greiner shares with us with typical enthusiasm the outcome of the recent meeting about Emergency and Critical Care ultrasound. It is most encouraging to realise that clinicians in this area are starting to be trained to use this very versatile tool as a direct extension of the clinical examination whilst realising that in relatively inexperienced hands the limitations of the examination must be recognised and someone with greater experience involved if a more detailed search for pathology is to be undertaken. I think those of us involved with ultrasound as a major interest should welcome those who wish to use the tool in a more limited way, pointing out to them the advantages, drawbacks and pitfalls which await the untrained and unwary. It seems that the Educational and Professional standards committee having published their document on training for those wishing to be involved to high level with ultrasound may need to address training for a more limited level of experience. In a way this is much more difficult if the technique is not to come into disrepute and the operators with such limited training not to be a danger to the patients. Much needs to be done in this area and as I know this is being done in many countries.

The next newsletter will give us the opportunity to share with those of you who were not fortunate enough to be there a brief insight into the goings on in Bologna whetting your appetites for the bumper issue early next year which will give the reports from all the Committees and show the direction EFSUMB is heading.

David Pilling

Editor EFSUMB Newsletter