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If the GP had the device, it would have taken them as long as the sonographer (or longer) to acquire the same high-quality images. In fact, it's so impractical

If the GP had the device, it would have taken them as long as the sonographer (or longer) to acquire the same high-quality images. In fact, it's so impractical for physicians in the US to routinely do their own ultrasounds that they hire sonographers to acquire those images. I don't think this device would have changed your experience, I'm sorry to say.

two2two 9y ago
It appears there are courses just for physicians. [0] Also, the device itself may include a course of some sort. Without evidence, I find it hard to believe GPs aren't capable enough to use an ultrasound device. [0] https://sonosim.com/who-we-train/ https://sonosim.com/who-we-train/
- carbocation 9y ago
  In my reply to you, I'm assuming that your GP is 100% capable of performing an ultrasound. Ultrasounds take a well-trained human being a long time to acquire.
- SkyPuncher 9y ago
  My wife is in med school so I have a bit more familiarity with the subject than the average person. GP's being capable enough isn't the issue. It's much like blood draws. GP's are more than capable of drawing blood an sending it off to a lab, but that process requires significant support of outsides parties. It simply doesn't make sense for the GP to take care of it in house when they'll likely need to send it out to someone else. In the care of ultrasound, it also introduces an issue of "certifying" results. Taking an ultrasound isn't hard, but reading it can be difficult. Even if a GP can read an ultrasound with 90% accuracy, it's still much lower than someone who specializes in reading digital imagery. Of the 90% that a GP can read accurately, how many of those can a GP read confidently? Certainly not 90%. At that point, they might as well send you to someone who will get it right the first time.
  - maxerickson 9y ago
    In house labs are advertised as profit centers for doctor practices: http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/three-good-reasons-offer-lab-services-your-practice http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/three-good-reasons-of...
    - civilitty 9y ago
      By consulting companies trying to sell their services. Take that article with a grain of salt.
- maxerickson 9y ago
  The funding model in the US means that providers have all sorts of incentives to pay people other than doctors lots of money to help them maximize patient volume. (I say providers above because doctors are often just part of the machine, but the machine doesn't want to waste the doctor's valuable time any more than an independent doctor does)

two2two 9y ago

It appears there are courses just for physicians. [0] Also, the device itself may include a course of some sort. Without evidence, I find it hard to believe GPs aren't capable enough to use an ultrasound device. [0] https://sonosim.com/who-we-train/ https://sonosim.com/who-we-train/

carbocation 9y ago
In my reply to you, I'm assuming that your GP is 100% capable of performing an ultrasound. Ultrasounds take a well-trained human being a long time to acquire.
SkyPuncher 9y ago
My wife is in med school so I have a bit more familiarity with the subject than the average person. GP's being capable enough isn't the issue. It's much like blood draws. GP's are more than capable of drawing blood an sending it off to a lab, but that process requires significant support of outsides parties. It simply doesn't make sense for the GP to take care of it in house when they'll likely need to send it out to someone else. In the care of ultrasound, it also introduces an issue of "certifying" results. Taking an ultrasound isn't hard, but reading it can be difficult. Even if a GP can read an ultrasound with 90% accuracy, it's still much lower than someone who specializes in reading digital imagery. Of the 90% that a GP can read accurately, how many of those can a GP read confidently? Certainly not 90%. At that point, they might as well send you to someone who will get it right the first time.
- maxerickson 9y ago
  In house labs are advertised as profit centers for doctor practices: http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/three-good-reasons-offer-lab-services-your-practice http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/three-good-reasons-of...
  - civilitty 9y ago
    By consulting companies trying to sell their services. Take that article with a grain of salt.
maxerickson 9y ago
The funding model in the US means that providers have all sorts of incentives to pay people other than doctors lots of money to help them maximize patient volume. (I say providers above because doctors are often just part of the machine, but the machine doesn't want to waste the doctor's valuable time any more than an independent doctor does)