The Future Impact and Role of the Journal Radiology in Latin America

HomeRadiologyVol. 309, No. 3 PreviousNext Reviews and CommentaryFree AccessEditorial–Centennial ContentThe Future Impact and Role of the Journal Radiology in Latin AmericaClaudio F. Silva , Guillermo Elizondo-RiojasClaudio F. Silva , Guillermo Elizondo-RiojasAuthor AffiliationsFrom the Department of Radiology, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Vitacura 5951, Chile (C.F.S.); and Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Dr José Eleuterio González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico (G.E.R.).Address correspondence to C.F.S. (email: [email protected]; [email protected]).Claudio F. Silva Guillermo Elizondo-RiojasPublished Online:Dec 19 2023https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.232256MoreSectionsPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In See also the editorial “Mentoring Radiologists and Imaging Scientists in the Postpandemic Digital Era” by Lee et al, the article “MRI-guided Minimally Invasive Focal Therapies for Prostate Cancer” by Alabousi et al, and the article “Measuring Interrater Reliability” by Benomar et al in this issue.IntroductionLatin America is a struggling area of the world. Yet with a population of 662 million people, it accounts for roughly 8.2% of the global population (1). If considered as a whole, Latin America has a larger population than the European Union. It ranges from the desert climate on the northern border of Mexico to the ice sheets of Antarctica, with a larger geographic area than Canada, the United States, China, or Russia. Health care institutions in Latin America are diverse in terms of development, with varying radiologic capabilities. Requirements for radiologists’ abilities range from diagnosing and appraising infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, echinococcus disease, and Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) to noncommunicable diseases, such as neurodegenerative and coronary artery diseases. Therefore, practicing radiologists in Latin America face enormous challenges to keep pace with developments in our field. In this editorial, written for the centennial of Radiology, we will discuss the future impact and role of the journal in Latin America.The RSNA has historically supported global radiologic outreach; Latin America is no exception. Through the RSNA Committee on International Radiology Education (CIRE), many radiologists and institutions have been able to participate in their programs, such as Introduction to Research for International Young Academics (IRIYA), the Derek Harwood-Nash (DHN) International Fellowship, and, recently, the Global Learning Center (GLC) in Ecuador (2). The GLC program allows partnership between RSNA teams and local academic institutions in a 3-year commitment to improve skills and competencies. In Ecuador, this GLC can become an educational hub in South America reaching out even to Central America (2,3).As the flagship journal of RSNA, Radiology is one of the most prestigious publications in the field of radiology. It presents new research, reviews, and special reports on various aspects of radiology. However, though Radiology is an English-language publication with a global readership, its impact and role in Latin America need to be improved, given language barriers. Even though many professionals are bilingual, there is a considerable group that is not, and therefore, rely on information in Spanish (or Portuguese in Brazil).When we consider the number of submissions to Radiology over the last 10 years, of 32 942 submitted manuscripts, 432 originated from Latin American countries (namely Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay). These 432 submissions had an acceptance rate of 5.8% (compared with the global acceptance rate of 16.3% for Radiology over that same period). This shows research is being performed in the region and there is an interest in publishing that research. Thus, there is room for improvement and further engagement from the journal to support these countries.Historically, Radiology has been open to research contributions from Latin America. As early as 1947, Dr Case published an account of radiologic advances that were a product of initiatives born in the region (4). Moving quickly to this decade, Radiology: Artificial Intelligence highlighted how the subcontinent might advance in artificial intelligence, its development, and overcoming challenges and restrictions (5). Also, RadioGraphics showcased educational opportunities available and how these have been applied in Latin America (6,7).Going back over half a century, Radiology invested in broadening its access and support to Latin America. In 1947, an announcement was published (8) that mentioned “the publication of summaries in Spanish of all original contributions appearing in its pages.” In support of this initiative, the editors said, “Barriers of language have never been effective in halting the advance of scientific achievement, but that they may hinder the prompt exchange of useful experiences is undeniable” (8). However, in 1957, this initiative gave way to Interlingua summaries (9), which were published until 1967 (10). Providing translations could allow a better access to such an essential radiology resource for Latin American radiologists, allowing the establishment of meaningful connections with the global radiologic community.Current and Recommended Actions for the FutureIn 2023, Radiology created an international section of the editorial board, where two of its members (the authors of this editorial) practice and teach radiology in our countries. Our inclusion is proof of the ongoing interest and commitment of RSNA to our community. Among the initiatives currently in discussion is to find the ways for Radiology to improve accessibility to the journal in Latin America. This could take the form of translating selected journal content into Spanish and Portuguese but also it could be by providing open access to specific articles to academic radiologists in Latin America.To expand on these initiatives, Radiology should first encourage and promote research submissions from Latin American radiologists. The journal can do this by fostering initiatives to consolidate and improve methodologically sound radiology research and encourage publications with high standards from this region. This research should resonate with the region’s current challenges due to the unique demographics, and epidemiologic or etiological status, emphasizing innovations occurring in Latin American radiology. This would enhance its relevance to radiologists in these countries. Addressing these challenges along with relevant technological limitations, such as lacking access to imaging, would apply not only to others facing similar situations in the region of Latin America but to underserved communities worldwide (11).Creating a back-to-basics section regarding methodologically sound and appropriate approaches to research designs, with a focus on the clinical value of diagnostic tests in challenging environments, may be a way to address this gap. We are confident that there is talent, interest, and desire to further improve our patients’ care. This is true despite challenges of local epidemiology, technology hindrances, and budget restrictions arising from working in challenging conditions. These conditions are not exclusive to this region, and a focus on best practices despite these conditions will resonate with the global radiologic community, even in underserved or underrepresented communities in developed countries. There is much to be done. First, we must take advantage of the technology available to the regions served. Research should be more exhaustive rather than focused on the latest cutting-edge technology only available in academic institutions in developed countries.Radiology is also planning a mentorship program to support and assist authors from Latin America. This mentorship program will pair Latin American authors with seasoned researchers who have experience publishing in Radiology. This program was initiated in the RSNA Case Collection and RadioGraphics, with an excellent improvement in submissions and acceptance rate, which RadioGraphics reports as 100% (6). By replicating this experience and expanding it to the challenging environment of clinical applied research, there is also an opportunity to build networks that further enhance new research projects and even scale to a global perspective.Building a bridge between young academic radiologists and Radiology journals is extremely important. By fostering the Radiology In Training program, the editors provide fantastic opportunities for young radiologists to learn about the editorial process. It will be vital to put this specific training to good use, even after the program ends, especially when facing the challenges of working in low- and middle-income countries. By sharing that knowledge with academic radiologists in their own countries, these young radiologists can build relationships and put that knowledge into practice, while providing a new understanding of the editorial process.Radiology could also collaborate with radiology societies in Latin America to co-publish research projects, sponsor events, and offer joint membership opportunities. These collaborations could stimulate research and professional development among Latin American radiologists. Inviting opinions and editorials that address and highlight disparities in radiologic services across different regions, including Latin America, could also bring attention from government and industry to change policy. This could offer further opportunities for improvement and innovations in radiologic services across Latin America. By having a seat at the table for policy decisions, radiologists can be part of the solution for public health problems in their countries rather than mere spectators. In this centennial issue on mentoring research, please see the commentary by Lee et al (12) and the Radiology In Training articles by Alabousi et al (13) on MRI-guided minimally invasive focal therapies for prostate cancer and by Benomar et al (14) on measuring interrater reliability.In summary, the impact of these efforts aims to improve access to the latest radiology research, allowing improvement of patient care in Latin America and increased visibility of the work performed in the region by Latin American radiologists and RSNA. Latin Americans keep young by following the dream of further growing, contributing, and expanding knowledge. Radiology is a vehicle that will assist in allowing this dream to keep growing in the field of radiology.Disclosures of conflicts of interest: C.F.S. Member of the Radiology editorial board, royalties or licenses from Elsevier. G.E.R. Leadership or fiduciary role in the RSNA Committee on International Radiology Education, editorial board of Radiologia Brasileira, editorial board of the Journal of the Mexican Federation of Radiology and Imaging.References1. CEPAL. El mundo alcanza los 8 mil millones de habitantes, de los cuales 662 millones viven en América Latina y el Caribe. https://www.cepal.org/es/noticias/mundo-alcanza-8-mil-millones-habitantes-cuales-662-millones-viven-america-latina-caribe. Published November 15, 2022. Accessed October 9, 2023. Google Scholar2. Silva CF, Elizondo-Rojas G, Atalabi O, et al. RSNA committee on international radiology education: 25 years of global education outreach. RadioGraphics 2020;40(7):1938–1952. Link, Google Scholar3. RSNA News. RSNA Announces Global Learning Center in Ecuador. https://www.rsna.org/news/2021/october/glc-ecuador. Published October 14, 2021. Accessed October 9, 2023. 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Narrowing the Gap: Imaging Disparities in Radiology. Radiology 2021;299(1):27–35. Link, Google Scholar12. Lee SI, Kahn CE, Luker GD, Rosen BR. Mentoring Radiologists and Imaging Scientists in the Postpandemic Digital Era. Radiology 2023;309(3):e231702. Google Scholar13. Alabousi M, Ghai S, Haider MA. MRI-guided Minimally Invasive Focal Therapies for Prostate Cancer. Radiology 2023;309(3):e230431. Link, Google Scholar14. Benomar A, Zarour E, Létourneau-Guillon L, Raymond J. Measuring Interrater Reliability. Radiology 2023;309(3):e230492. Link, Google ScholarArticle HistoryReceived: Aug 29 2023Revision requested: Sept 26 2023Revision received: Oct 11 2023Accepted: Oct 16 2023Published online: Dec 19 2023 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles Radiology Training in Latin America: How RSNA, RadioGraphics, and Subspecialty Societies Are Bridging Educational GapsRadioGraphics2023Volume: 43Issue: 8Mentoring Radiologists and Imaging Scientists in the Postpandemic Digital EraRadiology2023Volume: 309Issue: 3Forging Connections in Latin America to Advance AI in RadiologyRadiology: Artificial Intelligence2022Volume: 4Issue: 5Unlocking the Benefits of Multiparametric MRI for Predicting Prostate Cancer RecurrenceRadiology2023Volume: 309Issue: 2Explainable AI for Prostate MRI: Don’t Trust, VerifyRadiology2023Volume: 307Issue: 4See More RSNA Education Exhibits Prostate Cancer: What We Already Know About What Is on the HorizonDigital Posters2020Minimally Invasive Image-Guided Treatment of Primary, Recurrent and Metastatic Prostate CancerDigital Posters2022Imaging Biomarkers Relevant For Prostate Cancer Management: Clinical DevelopmentDigital Posters2021 RSNA Case Collection Anterior transition zone prostate adenocarcinomaRSNA Case Collection2020Locally advanced, metastatic prostate adenocarcinomaRSNA Case Collection2020Parasagittal meningiomaRSNA Case Collection2022 Vol. 309, No. 3 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download