Hans Ringertz, MD, PhD

After 12 years on the board of the International Society of Radiology (ISR), it is with complex feelings I have entered the last stage as the organization’s immediate past president. On one hand, it is relaxing to know that new and powerful forces have taken over. On the other, it is a little bit sad to know that there was a lot left to do, issues that I should have fixed-or at least tackled to start a resolving process.

The deadline for proposals for the new EU R&D framework program for 2007 to 2013 (FP7) is 8 May 2007.

Many European academic radiologists and radiological institutions express interest in receiving grants from the European Union. Radiology has historically enjoyed a good share of R&D funding from the EU's framework programs.

The move from hard-copy to soft-copy reading has been accompanied by widespread discussion about ergonomics. Yet nearly all of the digital radiology reading rooms that I visited last year were breaking one or more fundamental rules regarding prolonged work in front of computer screens

The move from hard-copy to soft-copy reading has been accompanied by widespread discussion about ergonomics. Yet nearly all of the digital radiology reading rooms that I visited last year were breaking one or more fundamental rules regarding prolonged work in front of computer screens. Why is this? Are we concerned only with the quality of digital images? Do we think that ergonomically correct workstations are too expensive? Or do radiologists have no say in the purchase of reading room equipment?

Answers to an examination request are never read by referring physicians; they have to be verbally transmitted by the radiologist, preferably while that radiologist is in the middle of another complex case.