EFSUMB Newsletter meets Denmark

Table of Contents

Facts on Denmark

• Area: 43,094 km²

• Capital and largest city: Copenhagen

• Population: 5.5 million

• EFSUMB members: 573

Dr. Lars Bolvig

Danish Society of Diagnostic Ultrasound was founded in 1974 and joined EFSUMB the same year. The current interview between the president Dr Lars Bolvig and the Editor of the EFSUMB Newsletter, Professor Michael Bachmann Nielsen took place in April 2009. Dr Lars Bolvig is the head of the Ultrasound Division at the Department of Radiology at Århus University Hospital. Århus is the second largest city in Denmark. "I started with ultrasound in 1979 and became responsible the specialist training in ultrasound at the department in 1992. I do all types of ultrasound including interventional ultrasound. My special interest for several years has been musculoskeletal ultrasound, which I perform both at the hospital and at a private clinic."

The Danish Society of Diagnostic Ultrasound

Anyone with an interest in ultrasound can be a member of the Society. "A guess would be that one third are radiologists, one third are nurses or sonographers and one third are clinicians". The distribution of members is mirrored in the board.

The official journal

The DSDU joined bulk subscription to the official EFSUMB journal – Ultraschall in der Medizin/European Journal of Ultrasound – several years ago. "There are no language problems in that, you would be surprised that everyone in Denmark speaks English, and most understand German as well, since both languages are a part of the knowledge acquired at elementary school. Both the board and our members are very happy with the journal."

Website

We have had a website for more than 10 years, all Newsletters and courses are available on the website. The website www.duds.dk is in Danish with a small sub-section in English.

Training in ultrasound in Denmark

The Society holds basic as well as advanced ultrasound courses according to the EFSUMB recommendations for training. However, in Denmark all doctors are allowed to perform ultrasound and the DSDU cannot give official creditation. "Many clinical specialities contact the DSDU asking for courses, these courses are coordinated by our education committee."

Ultrasound is now part of the curriculum for training of specialists in radiology, OB GYN, abdominal surgery, rheumatology and orthopaedic surgery.

The Society has an annual meeting (or congress) lasting two days, this year in October in Copenhagen and a one-day meeting in the spring. Next year the meeting will be held together with the EUROSON congress.

Congresses

The Danish have a long tradition for hosting congresses in ultrasound. Nine congresses on interventional ultrasound, the WFUMB meeting in 1991 and EUROSON in 2003.

In 2010 the EUROSON returns to Copenhagen, this time the conference will be held at the Royal School of Architecture in the beautiful old shipyard district called "Holmen" near down town Copenhagen. The area has modern conference facilities and a charming atmosphere at the waterfront. There is easy access to transportation (water bus), accommodation as well as a beautiful view of the Royal palace and the new opera house.

We look forward to see you in Wonderful Copenhagen in August 2010.