Research for progress

science as the foundation of the profession

Abstract

Dear reader,

In a world as constantly and rapidly changing as the one we live in, science and research play a pivotal role in transforming individuals, both personally and professionally, and consequently in enhancing the status of professions. Although they tend to be associated mainly with academic circles, science and research are much more than mere academic tools; they represent an attitude towards knowledge – a way of thinking, questioning and moving forward – operating across multiple layers of human and professional development, with enormous transformative power.

Given the foundations on which they are based, engagement with research practices fosters critical thinking, curiosity and intellectual autonomy in individuals, transforming and developing skills such as resilience, organisation, problem-solving ability and creativity, contributing to a deep sense of personal satisfaction. In the professional sphere, science and research contribute to constant updating, evidence-based practice, excellence and innovation in daily practice, as well as to professional recognition and prestige.

If this is the outcome for the individual, the development of each individual within the collective that makes up a profession takes this to an even more significant level. But, more importantly, it does not stop there: science and research contribute to the advancement of knowledge across a wide range of professions, redefining practices and driving their evolution as professions, with clear benefits for the field of work and for society as a whole. They also contribute to strengthening professional identity, since by contributing to research, professionals shape and redefine the role and boundaries of their field of practice. Furthermore, they contribute to the development of collaborative networks by promoting partnerships between institutions, countries or specialisms that foster exchange and the collective construction of knowledge.

The implementation of a culture in which science and research are among the pillars of the profession tends to accelerate the evolution of the professions involved, enhancing gains in social legitimacy and institutional strength.

This is one of the aims of Radiações Journal: to contribute to the establishment of science and research as a pillar in the fields of Radiology, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, thereby helping to disseminate robust scientific output that enables the evolution of our professions.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue.

The Editor-in-Chief

Rui Miguel Pereira