The Soul of Radiology
Fifty years ago in his inaugural address as AMA president, Walter Martin, MD, said that the "very success of medicine in a material way may now threaten the soul of medicine." The same can be said today of academic radiology, the true soul of our profession, which is in danger of falling prey to radiology's status and economic success.
This often-overlooked issue was the focus of an exceptional panel discussion titled "Saving Academic Radiology" during last spring's annual meeting. The session, moderated by Gerald D. Dodd, III, MD, and Thomas B. Fletcher, MD, addressed the "fragile condition" of academic radiology. In fact, Dr. Dodd characterized the condition of academic radiology as presenting as great a threat to our profession as self-referral, citing the slow erosion of academic time due to the clinical demands among academicians.
Moreover, there is a dwindling supply of new blood and energy flowing into academia as today's radiology residents find themselves entering a competitive marketplace where the best can pick and choose from any number of appealing offers to join flourishing private practices or prominent hospitals. The hallowed halls of academia are often relegated to an afterthought, undeserving of serious professional consideration.
In the session, the panelists discussed some solutions that have been integrated at the local level to spur academic radiology and increase cooperation between academic and private practice radiology to ensure that our profession continues to flourish. While many options and potential solutions were offered, each panelist agreed on one point — the ACR must take more significant steps to address this issue on a larger scale and actively pursue a solution. Otherwise, the soul of our profession will cease to exist, and without a soul, there is no guidance to our professional life.
We have already taken steps to act on the panelists' urging. In response to a proposal by Drs. Dodd and Fletcher, the ACR has created a task force to strengthen the cooperative bond between academic and private practice radiology, drawing on the vitality of the latter to strengthen the former. While private practices rely on the research and advancements and innovations that result from the work done by the academicians, academic radiology can gain from the experience and knowledge of those private practice radiologists who see a myriad of challenging cases each and every day.
We must take the necessary steps to enhance the appeal of academic radiology for today's residents. It is our responsibility to serve as academic mentors to radiology residents, instill them with a sense of responsibility, and challenge them to shape the future of their profession.
The noted British physician and humorist Jonathan Miller once remarked that he was driven into medicine not by a social conscience, but by rampant curiosity. We must invigorate that curiosity among radiologists and residents to ensure the continued impact of our specialty profession through our innovative ideas and creative energy. We must do this for the benefit of our patients and our profession.
This new task force is a critical first step. However, as with so many of the issues facing our profession, the real solution is going to be found among the ideas and vision of the more than 33,000 ACR members. You will be hearing more about this new task force, which Drs. Dodd and Fletcher have agreed to co-chair in the coming months. Until then, feel free to contact them or me with any ideas you may have to safeguard the soul of our profession.