Re: sonographers right to give information to patient
From: Paula S. Woletz, MPH, RDMS, RDCS (woletzps@umdnj.edu)
Tue Mar 30 13:29:00 1999
Sorry for the confusion. I was talking about the radiologist who placed
the limitations on the sonographer, and in part I drew on past
experience. I worked for a radiology department from 1982 until 1988,
but since then, I've specialized in OB. As you know, the
perinatologists here at RWJMS/St. Peter's are among the world's finest
sonologists.
Paula
At Tue, 30 Mar 1999, James S Smeltzer MD wrote:
>
>Paula,
>
>I did not look at where you are. I know the MFM sonologists at St Peters
>and they are among the best in the world. With this kind of talent around,
>why are the radiologists reading OB US? No wonder they have a bit of a
>complex!! LOL
>
>Jim Smeltzer MD
>
>At 10:12 AM 3/25/1999 -0600, you wrote:
>>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:
>>>
>>>I just recieved this letter from a sonographer I trained. I am away from
>>>my files. Can anyone help?
>>>"today we were told by one of our Radiologists not to tell the patient
>>>the sex of the baby. And to keep
>>>our narrative while scanning the fetus VERY GENERIC. And we can't tell
>>>them how far along they are, even if the measurements are equal and they
>>>are intelligent people and they can read it on the screen, while we
>>>measure!!!.I am having heart failure, but keeping my cool. I have to
>>>present the sonographer's point of view at the next Radiologist QA
>>>meeting, so Ineed ammunition. If you could just steer me to the right
>>>journals for articles concerning the importance of the bonding between
>>>parents and fetus and maybe an article
>>>about the sonographer's role. I just haven't kept up with all the
>>>journals. Is there any way you could help me??"
>>
>>--
>>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
>>
--
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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