Ultrasound training for doctors crucial in accident cases

For the first time in the country, non-radiologists are being trained to conduct ultrasound, that too, by trainers who are non-radiologists themselves.

For the first time in the country, non-radiologists are being trained to conduct ultrasound, that too, by trainers who are non-radiologists themselves.

HT Image

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ (AIIMS) Trauma Centre conducted a two-day workshop ending Tuesday, with foreign faculty — two doctors from Italy and one from United Kingdom, providing the required training in emergency ultrasound to Indian doctors from across the country.

“It’s a perfect blend of visual and clinical knowledge. Technology in medicine is fast advancing and we need to keep up with it,” said Dr M.C. Misra, Chief of AIIMS Trauma Centre.

A batch of 33 clinical doctors attended the emergency ultrasound workshop, which was traditionally considered a specialty of radiologists.

For quick diagnosis in accident cases, emergency ultrasound is emerging as a crucial tool.

With this tool, the maximum time investigation would take is five minutes.

It can also help in pre-hospital care during mass casualty scenario.

“Time is critical in treating accident cases,” said Dr Sanjeev Bohoi, head of emergency medicine department at AIIMS Trauma Centre.

“How a victim is treated in the initial 15 minutes to one hour decides whether the victim would pull through or not,” he added.

“We call it a visual stethoscope. We are not saying that it can replace definitive investigation techniques like X-ray and CT scan, but they are time consuming, something which a trauma patient doesn’t give us,” said Dr R Gangadhar, lead consultant in emergency medicine, The Penine Acute Hospitals, UK.

Trainers say clinical doctors trained in emergency ultrasound can begin treatment without losing much time.

“The radiologist can only diagnose. However, a clinical doctor can diagnose and treat too,” said Dr Luca Neri, founder of World Interactive Network for Critical Ultrasound (Winforcus), an Italy-based non-profit organisation.