The sonographer practitioner: one piece to the radiologist shortage puzzle.

s the demand for radiologists has outstripped supply, nonphysician personnel have been trained to lessen the radiologist’s workload. More efficient use of radiologist time is critical as the shortage of radiologists worsens. Historically, radiologists have employed physician extenders or technologists to handle patient coordination, chart review, scheduling, and administrative work, allowing the physicians to focus on image interpretation and procedures. Many other subspecialties already employ physician assistants and extenders. In many practices, technologists perform standard barium-enhanced procedures, which are interpreted by radiologists. In computed tomography, physician extenders can help with chart review, protocol selection, and communication with referring physicians. We are unaware of prior articles that have discussed physician extenders in sonography. Here we describe our experience with a physician extender in sonography at a large tertiary center.