December 2009 - EDINBURGH - UK – Report of the Honorary Secretary to the Board of Directors’ Meeting

Table of Contents

Christoph F Dietrich

The task of the Honorary Secretary was challenging in the last period especially to keep in touch with the member national societies which is sometimes not so easy. It is exciting being a member of the Executive Bureau and to work together with the Board of Directors, and the various EFSUMB committees (being also a member of the Publication Committee), and most importantly with individual members of the national societies with the consequence of interesting discussions.

In these days, retiring after the Edinburgh congress, another challenge is the replacement of our General Secretary Gianna Stanford. I wish to thank you, dear Gianna, for all your excellent work, daily support and perfect good relationship. I am happy to announce that Lynne Rudd has joined EFSUMB as the new general secretary, cordially welcome, dear Lynne.

The good relationship to the industry was also strengthened as important partners for improved patients care and innovative technology.

Membership Status

Some national societies develop better than others with respect to their number of individual members, their scientific and educational activities and their representation within EFSUMB. The oral report in Edinburgh will comment on few points regarding the Membership Status 2009,

• Membership evolution in Belgium May 2009.

• Difficulties to contact respective members (including membership payment).

• Decline in Russian members.

Kind requests for the membership societies

On behalf the Executive Bureau, we kindly ask (again and again) all members and especially the secretaries of each national society to provide us with email addresses of active members. Finally, a society but also a federation is as much alive as its members - so please do not hesitate to get in touch with us (www.efsumb.org).

• Each membership society is kindly asked to supply the email addresses of their members to the EFSUMB bureau for improved communication regarding EFSUMB activities.

• Each membership society is kindly asked to updating the EFSUMB website with their Society's Board changes and photographs.

Website statistical data

EFSUMB Monthly Statistical Data for 5 October to 5 November 2009

Identity of EFSUMB, European Course book (ECB)

On February 11, 1972, the delegates of 13 European societies met in Basel (Switzerland) for the formal foundation of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). The Federation's purpose shall be to promote the exchange of scientific knowledge and development in the medical and biological professions as applied to ultrasound. The Federation shall propose standards and give advice concerning criteria for the optimum apparatus and techniques, and concerning presentation and interpretation of results. This aim is to be served by arrangement of congresses and study and development meetings on an international level, as well as the exchange of information both in and outside Europe by the member organisations. EFSUMB has strengthened the interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of diagnostic ultrasound and for safety of ultrasound in medical use. The EFSUMB has also proposed minimal training requirements for the practice of medical ultrasound in Europe (www.efsumb.org). These identify three levels of training and expertise. The boundaries between the three levels are difficult to define precisely and should be regarded as a guide to different levels of competence and experience. There is a demand to incorporate ultrasound experience into clinical courses and accreditation. It is of interest that up to now no EFSUMB dedicated Course Book (ECB) has been considered and published so far.

Intention of the book

The planned EFSUMB Course Book (ECB) is intended to supplement and complete the educational purposes of EFSUMB. The ECB might, therefore, strengthen the evolution and power of EFSUMB and to improve the identity of its members. The course book is devoted to the interdisciplinary approach of the multinational societies of EFSUMB. The book might be especially helpful for countries which have not created so far their own course system. The ECB will incorporate the minimum training recommendations for the practice of medical ultrasound published by EFSUMB. The book will be published on the website in close collaboration with the EFSUMB Publication and Education Committees whereas the European Committee for Medical Ultrasound Safety (ECMUS) has published recommendations so far. If you might be a possible contributor a few ECB-details are added below.

Test chapter A Test chapter presenting the format and headings is prepared and could be sent to the interested contributor.

Chapter planning All chapters should be written by three authors. All three authors should be from different European countries (exceptions might be discussed with the Editor and by Editors decision). The first author is the corresponding (responsible) author. Every chapter should be peer reviewed by at least two referees. Since this is a web publication there is no strict limitation of the respective chapters.

Videos Up to 10 videos (10 seconds) will be integrated into each chapter.

Responsible Editor and corresponding address Prof. Dr. med. Christoph F. Dietrich, EFSUMB Honorary Secretary Caritaskrankenhaus Bad Mergentheim, Medizinische Klinik 2, Uhlandstr. 7, D-97980 Bad Mergentheim, Telefon: [phone], Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Case of the month

In March 2008 we initiated the "Monthly case reports" which is actually displayed on the EFSUMB website including videos (www.efsumb.org). This site has approximately 10,000 visitors' hits on a regular basis. This is an opportunity to discuss interesting cases on a well known platform. Please participate actively and submit your cases of the month to Email: [e-mail]. The Instructions for Authors have been recently published in the EFSUMB Newsletter.

Identity of EFSUMB, Scientific Corner

The scientific ultrasound community is challenged to perform more multicenter and interdisciplinary studies in the upcoming years to increase the influence of ultrasound techniques in daily practice. In that regard it is of interest that "our" (EFSUMB) scientific journal Ultraschall in der Medizin/European Journal of Ultrasound has been dramatically improving over the last years. Additionally the successful CEUS-guidelines have been published early this year as well. For the scientist it might be also of interest to find a forum where to ask colleagues about rare and interesting case reports which might be published together by EFSUMB members of the different European countries. We have to prove all together that ultrasound is effective and also cost effective, including the emergency room and other access routes to the hospital, in the out patients care setting and under many other circumstances.

Honorary Secretary's Agenda for discussion

The scientific ultrasound community is challenged to perform more multicenter and interdisciplinary studies in the upcoming years to increase the influence of ultrasound techniques in daily practice. In that regard it is of interest that "our" (EFSUMB) scientific journal Ultraschall in der Medizin/European Journal of Ultrasound has been dramatically improving over the last years. Additionally the successful CEUS-guidelines have been published early this year as well. For the scientist it might be also of interest to find a forum where to ask colleagues about rare and interesting case reports which might be published together by EFSUMB members of the different European countries. We have to prove all together that ultrasound is effective and also cost effective, including the emergency room and other access routes to the hospital, in the out patients care setting and under many other circumstances.

• The proposition that membership of EFSUMB be open to more than one Society from one country

• Raise for discussion biannual EUROSON Congress alternating with WFUMB

Please refer to EFSUMB and the Honorary Secretary for support and discussion.

The future looks bright.

Cordially,

Christoph F. Dietrich
EFSUMB Honorary Secretary