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Re: sonographers right to give information to patientFrom: Paula S. Woletz, MPH, RDMS, RDCS (woletzps@umdnj.edu)Thu Mar 25 09:12:04 1999
I don't think there is a single "correct" response to this situation, and I don't think it is a sonographer vs. physician issue. This is a dilemma sonographers face when they are caught between conflicting needs and expectations--those of the radiologist and those of the patient. Many radiologists will only give results to the referring physician. The patient's own physician then discusses the report with the patient. If the practice in question prohits the sonographers from discussing the results of an abdominal sonogram with the patient, it is not inconsistent to prohibit sharing the results of an obstetrical exam as well. The difference from the obstetrical patient's perspective is that, under most circumstances, she comes in expecting normal results, and the lack of information creates anxiety. Would the radiologist be willing to step into the room before the patient leaves and say a few reassuring words before explaining that the referring physician will discuss the details at her next scheduled visit? Working in a perinatal practice is very different. When we introduce ourselves to the patient, we explain that we are sonographers, not doctors, and that the specialist will come in when the exam is completed and discuss the results with the patient. We are then free to explain what we are doing. When a patient asks me if everything is okay, I respond that I'm not the doctor, but I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. However, I tell her, my opinion is not the one that matters--she really needs to raise these questions when the doctor comes in. We do tell the sex of the baby if the patient wants to know. I do not give the patient any abnormal results, but I don't lie and say everything is fine if I know that's not the case. Unfortunately, keeping quiet sometimes give the patient a false sense of security. I admit to feeling like I've in some way betrayed the patient after I've built a rapport and then the doctor comes in and drops a bombshell. What are other sonographers' experiences, from both radiology and OB settings?
At Wed, 24 Mar 1999, roger sanders wrote:
>
-- Paula S. Woletz, MPH, RDMS, RDCS University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/ St. Peter's University Hospital New Brunswick, NJ woletzps@umdnj.edu
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