The Future of Radiology Is in Our Hands

Abstract

How does one react when approached by a colleague to volunteer for a leadership position for a national medical association? Perhaps with ‘‘why me’’ or maybe ‘‘I am not the right person for that task,’’ or would it be, ‘‘no thanks, let someone else do that, I am too busy!’’ These responses are not uncommon and probably a good indicator of the fact that physicians, in general, are not sure what a leadership position or role is all about and why it is so important to us all. My awakening came when I was asked to let my name stand for election to the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Council Executive, the Board of our national association. My experiences since that time have been vast and, to say the least, very interesting and exciting. The CAR was incorporated more than 60 years ago and no doubt has evolved considerably over that period to the respected status that it maintains among national and international medical associations today. This respect has been gained by the hard work of countless volunteers and staff members over the decades. To remain at a level of peak performance, all organizations, whether for-profit or not-for-profit such as the CAR, must recognize and respond to the need to remain current. Associations must maintain a functional infrastructure and a constant awareness of the milieu in which they function to meet the needs of their members. In 2007 the CAR Council (Board of Directors) recognized the need to update the CAR governance. The redesign of our association has been accomplished in a relatively short time. As we worked through the process, other national medical associations in Canada have embarked on similar journeys. Associations must not be reactive to current situations but rather look ahead to allow adequate proactive preparation for situations. As specialists in diagnostic and therapeutic medical imaging, we are the ones who best understand our specialty. We should be the ones to provide the leadership to improve the provision of services, quality, and patient safety in our specialty. The road has been a bit bumpy, as one would expect with such a huge undertaking, but we have completed the journey and come out much stronger as a result. In the