Sonologist. Who is it?

       Dog in the manger

         Radiologist or Sonologist?

Ultrasound as a specialty - not sub-specialty


I completely agree with Prof. DR. SYED AMIR GILANI. My experience in not-sonologist country confirms its opinion. I hope that authorization of speciality "Sonologist" considerably will improve diagnostic possibilities sonography especially in developing countries.

Accreditation for ultrasound in the world

To assess accreditation for ultrasound (US) throughout the world, a questionnaire was sent to 34 doctors in 34 countries; 23 of them responded. Clinical specialties are approved by law in the large majority of countries, except for a few countries like the USA or Japan. The position of “Sonologist”, who is a specialist for US, has not been established in any of the countries with the exception of China. In some countries, some kinds of technicians are permitted to be involved in US after training and the recipients of such accreditation are usually called “Sonographers.” Accreditation systems for US in various countries were classified into three grades, namely, “Should,” “Would” and “Might,” according to differences in regulations, education and certification. In 19 out of 23 countries, grading fell into the “Might” grade, in which accreditation is thought to be no more than a matter of morals. It is concluded that a respective accreditation system suitable to the country would be constructed independently. (E-mail: watanabe@muom.meiji-u.ac.jp)
Hiroki Watanabea

http://www.umbjournal.org/article/S0301-5629%2804%2900176-0/abstract

Afro-Asian Institute of Medical Sciences.
Address: (AAIMS)® 626-Shadman-1 - Lahore, Pakistan

Dear friends
Its the time when ultrasound has proved that it is one of the major diagnostic tools in almost all modalities of medical sciences,we must work hard to recognize it as a seperate imaging specialty -- not a part or sub-specialty of radiology.
We dont have any objection on radiologists they can use ultrasound but after proper training programs during their radiology educational or residancy programs.
After travelling to 72 countries I have come to conclusion that just less than 5-6 percent of radiologists are good in ultrasound and the reason is that they have special interest in it or are pushed by the department to perform ultrasound.whereas most of the best ultrasound specialists are sonologists (physicians who can perform ultrasound).I can prove it in any country,in any system and at any platform.
All societies of ultrasound arround the world have to take it seriously.Anyone radiologists or non-radiologists must have proper ultrasound training under supervision of qualified and registered senior people in ultrasound.
For instance in developing countries most of Radiologists are DMRD diploma holder and they are not taught ultrasound properly whereas those radiologists who hold degrees of MD RADIOLOGY and FCPS/FRCR or diplomate of american board of radiology are better.
Therefore those having DMRD must have at least 6 month full time training in ultrasound .
Simialrly those who did their diplomate american board or Fellowship in radiology till 1985 must have CMES or at least three months training in ultrasound.
Whereas a non radiologist physician must have at least one year full time training in ultrasound relevant to his/her specialty,regardless of the diploa/degree he/she gets after one year.
There must be a specialty of ultrasound recognised by PAKISTAN MEDICAL AND DENTAL COUNCIL and similarly by authorities of all countries.
Its time to start working on this project.
Make a system in which all physicians can use ultrasound but after proper training and they can be assissted by sonographers,who are again creating problems in the system by writting reports which obviously doubts the accuracy of ultrasound.

DR. SYED AMIR GILANI

http://www.aaimsonline.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=0&func=view&catid=5&id=183