AOSR president-elect plans outreach

Continuing education is a key issue in Asia-Pacific, requiring investment over many years rather than a quick-fix approach, according to Dr. Lilian Leong, president-elect of the AOSR.

Leong's understanding of the issues facing radiology is based on direct interaction with doctors from across the region. She regularly participates in seminars designed to promote radiology throughout Asia-Pacific. A strong proponent of targeted training initiatives, Leong will formally replace Prof. Hitoshi Katayama as AOSR president in July, one day before AOCR 2001 begins. She will relinquish the position immediately before AOCR 2003.

The AOSR is collating information on opportunities for continuing education in different countries, in addition to running its own workshops. And the quality of articles published in the society's quarterly journal is improving all the time, Leong said. The price of a subscription to the Asian Oceanian Journal of Radiology, which has been listed on the Excerpta Medica database EMBASE since 2000, is deliberately kept low. All AOSR members are encouraged to submit research to the journal's peer-review process, although Leong recognizes that some radiologists still struggle to communicate in English.

"English is a common language, but not in every place," she said. "In China, some radiologists are not fluent in English, but I can see that things are improving fast."

As AOSR president, she hopes to promote the society's work by meeting with radiologists from across the region. She is determined to foster links with all AOSR member countries. The AOSR executive committee meets in person a few times every year, although most communication occurs via e-mail or telephone to ease the burden of travel expenses.

"It is a big group of people and we are conscious of trying to involve younger radiologists," Leong said. "I try my best to attend various meetings to understand the needs of radiologists and trainees in different countries. In addition, I aim to participate in international radiology congresses to put forward our region's cause."