KF: Many
thanks, its very exciting to work with the Board of the ESC and help build a
tremendous collaborative network in cardiology.
Our aim is to make this the leading cardiology professional organisation
and as you know the ESC Scientific Programme is larger than the ACC and AHA put
together (professional and scientific delegates). I have been delighted to contribute as the
lead for ischaemic heart disease and also contribute to a number of the
European and international guidelines. I
am very keen that the ESC Board should reach out to collaborating countries
across Europe and engage with new educational
activities in partnership with the national organisations.
DMB: Do you feel that we need separate British Guidelines, European
Guidelines and American Guidelines? Do you think we will come to a stage in the
foreseeable future where we can and should have a more universal approach?
KF: It could
be very confusing to have too many guidelines!
My view is that the core professional guideline should be the ESC
guidelines and that we dont need separate British guidelines unless these
cover topics not covered within the ESC guidance. However, what we do need is translation of
the guidelines to clinical practice so its essential to have agreements at
local level as to how guidelines are implemented and taken up in practice.
DMB: You certainly seem to have had an international career yourself!
Born in Zimbabwe, medical
school in Edinburgh, research in St Louis, then back to take up a BHF chair in Edinburgh via Wales. It does beg the question of
why the UK?
KF: I have
enjoyed the excitement of working in different countries and I am sure we all
learn a great deal, seeing the strengths and weaknesses of our respective
clinical and academic systems. Why the UK? We now have internationally leading centres
in cardiology and cardiovascular research in the UK
and its been a wonderful experience to be part of the development of the
centre in Edinburgh. Why not the UK!
DMB: Your research and publication record is phenomenal. No doubt your
leading involvement in RITA-3, CURE, CHARISMA and the GRACE programme to name
but a few has been inspired by the high levels of cardiac pathology you have
seen in Edinburgh. Which one study/clinical trial that you have overseen do you
feel has changed local cardiological practice the most?
KF: I am
delighted that the research and the publications have continued to be of
interest to others! (I passed the 500
publication mark earlier this year). I
wouldnt want to single out a single study or programme, but it has been very
rewarding that the anti-platelet, anti-thrombin interventional studies and the
GRACE programme have all been translated from research into practice and into
the guidelines. We hope theres more to
come!
DMB: Is it true that you are a very eco-friendly family? What tips do
you have for us? With your eco-credentials, do you think there remains a future
for big international conferences given the ease of information transfer via
the web?
KF:
Yes we are an eco-friendly family but obviously travelling has a big impact and
Ive tried to do as much of the research and collaborative international work
by teleconference and video-conference.
I am sure that we are going to be seeing a major development in web
casting of key research in the future.
DMB: There
has been much amusement today by Cardiologists not deemed as worth enough to
meet the Daily Mails coveted list of top Interventionalists in the country. Do
you think that Cardiology will ever manage to break away from the image of the
Old Boy Network?
KF: None of us
is very sure what makes the Daily Mails coveted list of top Interventionalists! My own view is that recognition by peers and
by our patients perhaps may be more important.
Yes, lets ensure that the Old Boy Network is history
DMB/KF: On a more
lighthearted note,
Are you a night owl or
an early bird? Sometimes both.
Which of the seven
dwarfs do you think you are? Restless
Are you planning to keep the beard? I
shaved it off for charity and the family wanted it back again!
Many thanks Professor Fox for sparing the time to share your thoughts. Congratulations
once again and best wishes to you and your family for Christmas and for 2011.
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DMB: Professor Fox, congratulations on being awarded an ESC Silver Medal
in recognition of your time spent on the ESC Board and the many achievements
made by the Society during your time in Council. What do you feel have been the
highlights for you whilst working with the ESC?
