Who's doing your scan? A European perspective on ultrasound services

Abstract

Traditionally, in many countries in Europe, ultrasound practice and delivery of service is physician based. In some English-speaking countries around the world, notably Canada, Australia and the United States of America (USA), ultrasound is performed often by technicians or sonographers but reported by physicians, mainly radiologists. In the United Kingdom (UK) a third situation exists; that of predominantly sonographer-led ultrasound services. A sonographer is typically a radiographer who has now specialised entirely in ultrasound after a designated period of formal training (postgraduate qualification in ultrasound), mostly working within radiology departments as part of a team of radiographers and radiologists. This article explores the processes behind the differences and discusses the underlying rationale and prejudices involved.

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