EDITORIAL

Academic radiology
quo vadis?

Department of Radiology
University of Pretoria

We all know that academic radiology has come to a major crossroad, but as
once noted by a great social commentator, Dr Martin Luther King junior, 'It is
through difficulty that we learn our greatest lessons:

As radiologists we stand well into the first days of the 21st century, but in gen-
eral we still work and think as subjects of the 20th century. The radiologist in the
private sector obtains new equipment, and this is used to the advantage of those
who can financially afford the cost.

But spare a moment for academic institutions, the place where the next gener-
ation of 21st century radiologists is trained. As so well put by a previous Editor of
the SA]R (February 2001) - quo vadis? As part of the academic sector I now ask:
quo vadis Academic Radiology?

It is sad for me to note that the entire panel of examinors for the MMed (where
it still exists) and the FeR (Rad) (D) SA consists of only a few people. Where do
our interests lie? We all expect good qualified radiologists as partners, but find it
difficult to find people to be part of their training and preparation, enabling them
to follow in our footsteps when we leave for greener pastures.

Quo vadis radiology when we are 46 fewer practising radiologists than 9 years
ago, with a population growth of nearly 4.8 million people and a pandemic of
AIDS awaiting us.

I ask why the government keeps our salaries and budgets cut so that the acad-
emic sector can't even pay close to what can be earned in the private sector. Turf
wars are the name of the game and fighting between radiologists continues, while
the other fields of specialists chip away at our field of work. It is known that in cer-
tain parts of Europe 50% of radiology is done by non-radiologists. We use old
equipment in training young radiologists, as minimal funds are available for new
equipment. In academic radiology we fight to keep some of the newly qualified
radiologists to ensure that radiologists of a high calibre can be trained for the pub-
lic and private sector.

I am sure that every radiologist in this country would prefer to see strong aca-
demic units so that we can maintain the standard of training and make it possible
for young graduates to remain in these units for a period and help with training.
The reason so often given for leaving the country is to obtain more knowledge,
utilising scholarships and then often not returning. I am sure we want to have sub-
specialist units, centres of excellence, and to register these with SAQA.

My quest for the 21st century and for radiology is for us to be the best we can,
but in the words of Jan Brandt, a previous president of South Africa, this can only
become true if we all play our part. Sadly I must keep on repeating the words for
everyone's ears, minds and souls to be touched. In our specialist field Radiology,
you the Radiologist must decide.

Quo vadis Academic Radiology?

Julian Holl
MB ChB, FFRad (D) SA

Julian Holl
Editor

3 SAJOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY • March 2002