Who's Leading Whom, Where?

Abstract

The total effectiveness of any given radiologist depends upon a multitude of factors, but there can be no doubt that a primary part is played by the character and quality of performance of the equipment at his command. No other medical specialty is so dependent upon instrumentation; no other medical specialty influences such a broad spectrum of the medical profession, from general practitioner to specialist. Yet, in what way do we as radiologists influence the development of radiographic equipment? Two of our major societies have existing committees whose titles imply the authority to function in an advisory manner to industry, and it is generally assumed that these committees provide a system of intercommunication between radiologists and manufacturers. That such should be the assumption is natural; that such is a fact may be presumption. At the present moment, neither committee is functioning as a routine avenue of communication between radiologists and manufacturers, although the need for an advisory body of some form is recognized by both the profession and industry. Its tasks could be many: to examine critically the equipment presently at our disposal; to lend advice and experience in the basic research and development of new equipment; to provide more representative sampling of radiologists' opinions to industry, etc. In our present system of free enterprise, the precise manner in which such an advisory group could function becomes complex, but is still within the realm of possibility. In 1958, for example, the Radiologists-Manufacturers Committee of the Radiological Society of North America was sparked into activity by Dr. Stanley Wyman, then its chairman. His foresighted attempt to institute a beginning of standardization in the manufacturing of x-ray equipment resulted in the establishment of joint annual meetings by this committee and the X-Ray Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). The outcome of this joint effort was the publication by NEMA of a directive to approximately 2,000 manufacturers, entitled Minimizing Unwanted Radiation in Diagnostic Procedures. This is not an authoritative document, but it does serve as a standard for manufacturers, and its use will result in a reduction of some unnecessary radiation which otherwise would escape from the margins of x-ray equipment of the future. In this respect it will perform a useful service. Other equally capable chairmen of The Radiologists-Manufacturers Committee, Dr. Cesare Gianturco, Vincent P. Collins, and Arthur Present, have continued the pleasant and purposeful association with NEMA, and from the joint meetings of the two bodies will come further sensible standardization. Thus has begun the first concerted, effective movement by which the radiologists, through a radiological society, can directly and purposefully co-operate with or influence the manufacturer.