Abnormal findings in “normal” research volunteers

Sonography Education: Incidental Findings in Scan Lab Models

“…7,9 With an educational scan lab, there is the possibility of uncovering an unexpected or "incidental finding". [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] An incidental finding is the identification of a sonographic finding or medical condition that was previously unknown to the model. Incidental findings can range from normal anatomical or physiologic variation (e.g., functional cardiac murmur, etc.)…”

“…Written and Verbal Consent: The scan lab instructor should review the consent form with each model and answer any questions related to the form or the scan lab process. 1,[4][5][6]8 Ideally, students in the scan lab should communicate with the model as they would communicate with a real patient in a healthcare setting, including but not limited to, obtaining consent, explaining the procedure to be performed, and answering any questions. HIPAA Release: The sonography program should use the consent form for models, or a separate HIPAA release, to provide authorization to the sonography program to share relevant information about the model's pre-existing medical conditions, sonographic images obtained during a prescan or scan lab, or incidental findings as necessary for training, medical, educational, or research purposes.…”

“…Since student volunteers and other models may not expect or recognize that the risk for incidental findings exist, the sonography program should also provide models with the sonography program's written incidental finding policy and procedures and give them the opportunity to ask questions about these documents. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The sonography program should encourage models with questions about personal or confidential matters to meet with the program director or scan lab instructor privately (ideally before the scheduled scan lab).…”

“…Written and Verbal Consent: The scan lab instructor should review the consent form with each model and answer any questions related to the form or the scan lab process. 1,[4][5][6]8 Ideally, students in the scan lab should communicate with the model as they would communicate with a real patient in a healthcare setting, including but not limited to, obtaining consent, explaining the procedure to be performed, and answering any questions.…”

“…It may also be helpful to have a list of referral physicians in the event the model does not have a personal physician. [1][2][3][4][5][6]9 For a student serving as a model, another option that may be available is a referral for follow up with their "student health" provider. Some may argue that a model with an incidental finding might view a referral to a specific physician specialist (e.g., vascular surgeon) as a diagnosis.…”