International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abbreviation	ISUOG
Formation	1991
Headquarters	122 Freston Road, London W10 6TR, UK
Membership	9,000 members
Website	http://www.isuog.org/

The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG, the Society for Women’s Imaging) is a professional membership association and charity registered in England and Wales. ISUOG represents and supports professionals using ultrasonography in obstetric and gynecologic practice across the world, currently including obstetricians, gynecologists, sonographers, radiographers, radiologists, midwives, maternal fetal medicine and other subspecialty medical professionals across 126 countries.^[1]

Foundation

Founded in 1991 by Prof Stuart Campbell (President 1991-1998), the Society held its first annual World Congress in London in January 1991, which was attended by just over 1,000 delegates, its founding members.

Core activities

Journal

ISUOG publishes its monthly peer-reviewed journal, Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2015 impact factor of 4.254.^[2] Regular features include original articles, case reports, opinion articles and systematic reviews. Each month at least one article is selected to be free access and Journal Club slides are produced on a paper of high clinical impact.

World Congress

ISUOG hosts an annual World Congress to facilitate the communication and dissemination of the latest research findings and discussion around current clinical management issues, and to encourage research collaboration. The most recent Congress; the 24th World Congress, held in Barcelona in September 2014 attracted more than 2800 attendees from across 94 countries.

List of the future and past ISUOG World Congresses^[3][4]

Education

ISUOG provides educational opportunities to its members, including its Intensive Education Course program and extensive online education resources. ISUOG also provides support for groups and regions with lesser resources, through its free Trainee membership program and via membership inclusion for international education courses approved by ISUOG (ISUOG Approved courses).

Outreach

ISUOG’s first Outreach program was developed with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the National Center for Fetal Medicine (NCFM, Norway), and Norwegian government. The first Outreach course took place in Manila, the Philippines, in 1996. Outreach is committed to improving maternal healthcare services in underserved regions of the world by:

• Promoting and providing high-quality education in ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
• Improving the availability of ultrasound
• Increasing the potential to diagnose life-threatening obstetric complications and gynecological conditions
• “Training trainers”

Since its foundation, ISUOG Outreach has trained more than 130 professionals in countries including Mongolia, Ghana, Somaliland, Haiti and South Africa, as well as resourcing projects to help Australia’s aboriginal communities and refugee communities in Syria and Lebanon.

Membership and Governance

ISUOG’s international membership, including its Board of twenty Trustees, Editorial Board and Committee members, collaborate to develop education and training programs, and disseminate scientific research in support of the Society’s mission to improve maternal health. The Trustees of the charity (also Directors of the company) are responsible for the financial and strategic direction of the Society. ISUOG has more than 9000 registered members in 126 countries, including a group of 16 Ambassadors and more than 80 Advisory members who have been appointed to provide feedback on new activities and to ensure more representation of ISUOG’s international membership in Society decisions. ISUOG employs a team of 12 full or part-time staff, who are based at the Secretariat offices in Freston Road, West London.

Mission and Objectives

ISUOG works with a mission to improve the health of women and their families through the broadest dissemination of the highest quality education and scientific information. The Society’s long-term vision is for every woman in the world to have access to ultrasound, every scan provider to be competent and where the diagnosis of obstetric and gynecological conditions is effective so that women’s healthcare outcomes improve.

References

External links

• ISUOG Homepage
• UOG, ‘The White Journal’ Homepage