IMAGING & ONCOLOGY - Society of Radiographers

EDITORIAL 5Leading by exampleTaking over last autumn from Professor Audrey Paterson as theEditor of Imaging & Oncology was one of the high points of my year.I could not wait to manage and infl uence a publication of which Ihad been a fan since its inception. However, I did wonder what onearth I would do if no-one would write for me. Audrey had, for fi veyears, produced a superb collection of top drawer manuscripts, butI’m not Audrey. Certainly the contemporary nature of the publicationmeant that I had no papers to ‘inherit’ for this year’s issue. Andmost professionals in healthcare would agree that their workingenvironment is getting busier, which naturally means that ‘nonessential’activity is more likely to be sacrifi ced. The prospect of mywriting ten articles by fi ctitious authors passed through my mind andsuddenly I regretted my new editorial role…Eight months on and my fears were unfounded, for here is afascinating collection of articles written by some of our best expertsin their fi eld. Some focus on cutting-edge scientifi c breakthroughsand technical innovations, some on educational dilemmas and issuesrelating to sustainable service delivery, and others consider ethicaldimensions which affect our professions. At fi rst glance, this eclecticmix may appear to have little in common other than that eachcontains high quality information. However, look closer and you willsee that all these authors are leading, either with their practice,their ideas, or both. They have considered the future and have boldmessages for our imaging and oncology community. This, of course,lies at the heart of why they wanted to write for this issue.I am certain that some of the predictions and recommendationscontained in these pages will contribute to shaping future servicesin the UK. And that managers and shapers of our professions willconsider some of these concepts, perhaps modify them further, butthen apply them within their own setting, ultimately for the good ofthe patient.If you enjoy this year’s issue of Imaging & Oncology as much as Ihave, then you will be very satisfi ed indeed. To use an old cliché,it really does contain something to interest everyone regardlessof their specialty, and, arguably, this is because of the marvellouscontributions from our medical and non-medical colleagues. Isincerely hope this publication continues to be a forum for suchcollaboration.Please let me know your opinion of this year’s collection sinceonly then can I deliver more of what interests you next year. I lookforward to hearing your suggestions for improvement and also forfuture topics.Hazel Edwards2010IMAGING &ONCOLOGY