Ultrasound: patients' views

There is virtually nothing in the literature about patients' perceptions and misconceptions regarding sonography. From January to June, 1979, 204 patients at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City were asked to fill out questionnaires before and after their sonographic examinations. The results showed that many of the first-time patients did not know what to expect, had never heard of ultrasound, and were incorrectly prepared for the examination. Education of both patients and physicians is needed to prevent unnecessary patient anxiety and to encourage the use of this safe and accurate diagnostic modality.