Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging最新文献

A systematic approach to statistical analysis is essential for accurate data interpretation and informed decision-making in the rapidly evolving field of radiology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental statistical concepts for radiologists and clinicians. The first part of this series introduces foundational elements such as data types, distributions, descriptive and inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, and sampling methods. These are crucial for understanding the underlying structure of research data. The second part of this series delves deeper into advanced topics, including correlation and causality, regression analysis, survival curves, and the analysis of diagnostic tests using contingency tables and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. These tools are vital for evaluating the efficacy of imaging techniques and drawing valid conclusions from clinical studies. As radiology continues to push the boundaries of technology and therapeutic interventions, mastering these statistical principles will empower radiologists to critically assess literature, conduct rigorous research, and contribute to evidence-based practices. Despite the pivotal role of statistics in radiology, formal training in these methodologies is still limited to a certain extent. This primer aims to bridge that gap, providing radiologists with the necessary tools to enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimize patient outcomes, and advance the field through robust research.

Evidence-based medicine integrates clinical research, personal expertise, and patient values. The most robust forms of clinical evidence, such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective studies, provide the strongest support for medical decision-making. RCTs are vital in radiology for evaluating new imaging technologies, contrast agents, and therapeutic procedures, despite challenges in translating preclinical findings to clinical practice. This guide discusses the history, principles, methodologies, and applications of RCTs in radiology, highlighting their role in advancing the field and supporting evidence-based practice.

Upholding the highest standards of publication ethics is critical for ensuring the integrity of scholarly work, maintaining public trust, and advancing knowledge responsibly in academia. Plagiarism, defined as intellectual theft, is a significant ethical issue that undermines these principles. There are many forms of plagiarism, including direct, self, mosaic, and accidental plagiarism. Plagiarism is prevalent across the globe, but the problem is worse in developing countries due to numerous factors, such as social and economic conditions and lack of knowledge. The digital age has further exacerbated the situation, as easy access to artificial intelligence and online content facilitates plagiarism. To combat this problem, it is essential to recognize the importance of originality and the consequences of plagiarism, including damage to one's professional reputation, legal repercussions, and loss of credibility and trust. Educational institutions and publishers can play a crucial role in promoting a culture of fairness by implementing clear guidelines, providing training on ethical research practices, and enforcing strict consequences for violations. By encouraging an environment that values honesty, transparency, and respect for intellectual property, the academic community can uphold high ethical standards and contribute to the evolution of knowledge with integrity.

The transition from traditional teaching to mentoring in medical education is urgently required to create future-ready physicians, researchers, and medical teachers in India. A roadmap was drawn by the pioneers of modern medicine more than 100 years ago, who mentored and prepared the next generation of subspecialists and teachers. We need mentors rather than conventional teachers to inspire students to dream, learn, and grow. In today's world, the role of teachers transcends imparting information to foster critical thinking and contextual application of knowledge. Mentors play a pivotal role in cultivating future medical leaders through recognition, guidance, and mutual respect. Mentors guide lifelong learning and personal development. A trusting mentor-mentee relationship is critical for effective medical education, research, and professional growth. Mentoring significantly benefits residents by fostering well-being, collegiality, and professional skills. Academic mentorship results in increased publication rates, grants, career satisfaction, and retention of faculty in the institutions. With mentors, navigating academia's challenges proves manageable, impacting career trajectory. While mentoring is crucial for career advancement and personal development, there are disparities, especially for women. Formal institutional support for mentoring is essential for sustained impact. Mentor-mentee relationships in academia are evolving toward short-term, need-driven interactions facilitated by workshops during the annual professional society meetings and speed mentoring. E-mentoring offers flexible, cost-effective support transcending geographies and time zones. Identifying the right mentor is crucial for academic success, emphasizing shared knowledge, effective communication, and mutual trust. Evaluating mentoring programs remains challenging, requiring comprehensive, stakeholder-driven assessment tools.

Scientific writing is very important for writing research articles or commentaries. This article provides practical tips for researchers and clinicians to write well. Empowered researchers would be able to disseminate their research findings, help change the clinical practice, and advance public health.

In the modern landscape of information technology, the role of books remains pivotal in education and research, especially in scientific fields such as radiology. This article outlines a comprehensive approach to publishing a scientific book in radiology, from the initial concept to distribution and ongoing updates. The process is influenced by factors such as the author's motivation, expertise, and target audience. Key prerequisites include a clear understanding of the subject, proficiency in writing and layout planning, and adherence to publication ethics. The book's content should be tailored to the intended readership, with considerations for content depth and presentation style. Decisions regarding book size, color versus black-and-white printing, and publication format (print vs. online) are crucial. Factors such as cost, physical characteristics, and the choice between paperback and hardcover affect both the book's accessibility and its durability. The online version offers interactive features and updatable content, while print versions provide a tactile reading experience. Authors are responsible for content creation, including illustrations, and chapter structure. Editors play a crucial role in maintaining uniformity, overseeing content quality, and ensuring technical accuracy. Collaboration with section editors and coauthors is often necessary for comprehensive coverage. Effective distribution and marketing strategies are essential for reaching the target audience. Options include direct retail distribution or using aggregators. Regular updates are vital to keep the book relevant amidst the fast-growing field of radiology. This guide serves as a practical roadmap for aspiring authors and editors in the field of radiology.

Scientific papers are the driving force for research, information dissemination, and policymaking that directly impacts society. Thus, ethical practices are the elixir of publications. Adherence to ethical practices promotes integrity in research and publication. Transgression of ethics is thus considered a poison to science. Although there is no definition of ethics, it includes a systematic approach that not only recommends but also defends and protects concepts of the conduct of right and wrong. Therefore, ethical principles should be strictly adhered to and upheld at any cost for the progression of science. This article addresses various actions that are considered ethical misconduct and guidelines to fix them. Recommendations of various organizations related to the ethics in publications are also discussed.

Physician-scientists serve as conduits between clinical practice and scientific research, leveraging their unique expertise to improve patient care and drive medical innovation. This article highlights the indispensable role of research and publishing in promoting evidence-based practices, facilitating professional growth, and shaping public health policy. Drawing on historical and contemporary examples, I examine the challenges faced by physician-scientists, such as ethical dilemmas and declining engagement in research, particularly in resource-constrained settings. I suggest pragmatic strategies to overcome these barriers, emphasizing the need for systemic support, ethical integrity, and the equitable dissemination of advancements. This piece aims to inspire a new generation of physician-scientists to engage deeply with both clinical and research domains, thus advancing global health equity and resilience.

Second part of this statistics primer focuses on advanced statistical concepts continuing on the foundation of basic statistics built from the first part of this primer. This advanced primer aims to delve deeper into essential statistical concepts beyond the basics, equipping the reader with the knowledge to effectively analyze complex data sets, explore correlations and causality, employ regression analysis techniques, interpret survival curves, and evaluate diagnostic tests rigorously. It primarily focuses on the statistical tests used to analyze the relationship between groups of variables (the statistical tests to analyze the difference between groups of variables was discussed in the part 1 of this series). Toward the end of the article concepts of survival curves and methods for assessing the diagnostic accuracy of tests are stressed upon.