Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Sonographers should embrace the power of telemedicine-based ultrasound, despite its potential for disruptive change. That's according to Doug Wuebben in his latest "Making a Difference as a Sonographer" column in our Ultrasound Digital Community.
Mr. Wuebben has seen firsthand the benefits of telemedicine-based ultrasound, especially in his current position as a pediatric sonographer in South Dakota. Telemedicine is more convenient for patients and healthcare personnel who no longer have to travel, and clinical results are available instantly, a boon to patient care.
Still, some healthcare personnel see telemedicine as disruptive and threatening, Mr. Wuebben notes. But change is a constant in healthcare, and he recounts how some of his proudest professional moments have come during telemedicine-based sessions. Read more by clicking here.
While you're in the community, also check out this article on how ultrasound specialists could catch nearly all incidentally detected thyroid cancers if they follow recommendations from the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound on managing thyroid nodules. Follow all the recent news in ultrasound at ultrasound.auntminnie.com.
VA scandal touches radiology
In other news, the scandal over patient care that's been rocking the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also has a radiology angle, according to a new story in our Imaging Leaders Digital Community.
A retired internal medicine physician claims that a VA clinic in Austin, TX, not only delayed requests for medical imaging procedures, it also covered up the fact that delays were being ordered. The allegations mirror those regarding other VA facilities in the western U.S., in particular the VA health system in Phoenix.
Did any patients die because of lack of access to timely imaging exams? The physician said he didn't know of any specific fatalities related to the delays, but he did see several cancer patients have surgeries or chemotherapy treatments delayed as a result.
Read more by clicking here, or visit the community at leaders.auntminnie.com.
ISCT live stream begins Monday
Finally, our live stream of the International Society for Computed Tomography (ISCT) annual meeting begins on Monday, June 9, at 7 a.m. PDT. You'll be able to follow the proceedings of radiology's most influential meeting dedicated to CT, whether you're in San Francisco or watching from your home or office. Just visit isct.auntminnie.com to make sure you have the proper plug-ins, and once the meeting begins, use the Twitter hashtag #MDCT2014 to comment or ask questions.
