Whither the Radiologist?

Abstract

During my perusal of the periodicals devoted in whole or in part to radiology, I have been impressed in recent weeks by the frequent appearance of articles and editorials dealing, not with the scientific side, but, let us say, with the sociologic and economic phases of our specialty. Since these same phases have been a great deal upon my own mind, I resolved that I would make an effort to focus a discussion on this subject. Many of the leaders in our science have expressed their concern, in print and otherwise, over the status of our specialty, and I was interested to see, in the minutes of the last meeting of the American College of Radiology, the record of an extended discussion of this subject. There must be some reason for this matter coming up in the minds of so many of us who are so widely separated over the country. It must mean that many of us feel that there is something in our ménage that needs adjustment; that there are some common evils in our profession that are general, no matter in what location we are practising. These articles have dealt generally with the status of the radiologist, both in hospital and private practice, his relation to the other branches of medical practice, and the general trend of the estimation of his work by these other branches. The question has been asked, “Is radiology moving toward complete recognition as one of the most highly specialized branches of medicine and surgery, or is it being hampered in its progress by certain conditions and influences which have been ignored or disregarded too long?” No apology is necessary for the introduction of this topic into a session otherwise devoted to purely scientific deliberations. It will do us no harm to glance up occasionally from our absorbing scientific investigations to take a view of the horizon and the stars, get our bearings, so to speak; then we can return to our browsings for a while longer. We assume with assurance that our specialty is an honorable one, one eminently worth while; that it deals with a most fruitful source of information in the diagnosis of disease, and with one of the most potent of all principles in the therapy of disease; that it touches intimately every other branch of meclical practice, from the standpoint of both diagnosis and therapeutics. Radiology is a relatively young science, and for that reason it may display many of the frailties of youth, but I dare say also that radiology displays much of youth's vigor, enthusiasm, and vision. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to this young science would like to feel that we are doing our best in every way to further its progress and to enhance its usefulness. Many of our number are performing wonderful service in making this youth grow to a strong lusty man physically; that is, rapid strides are being made in the science of radiology.