Echocardiography in district general hospitals: trends over a five-year period 1993-1998

Postal surveys were carried out in 1993 and 1998 to establish the range and nature of echocardiography facilities within district general hospitals in Scotland. This study examines some of the changes over this five year period. Echocardiography services vary widely between hospitals. There have been substantial changes in the last five years, with increases in both the staff involved in echocardiography and in the number of investigations performed. The facilities available have improved and more respondents to the survey in 1998 were happy with training than in 1993. Echocardiography has a major place in modern management of patients with cardiac problems. This survey provides a useful benchmark for comparison between services.