Qualifications of the Physician in the Vascular Diagnostic Laboratory

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The vascular diagnostic laboratory (VDL) is of increasing importance in the care of patients with vascular disease1, 2, 3 while coming under greater governmental scrutiny and economic pressures.4 In view of these challenges, the qualifications and credentials of physicians who interpret noninvasive diagnostic studies have taken on additional importance. The InterSocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) has established overall standards for vascular laboratories, including credentials for interpreting physicians. Several professional societies5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 have published guidelines for credentials for physicians interpreting noninvasive vascular studies but, as yet, there is no universally accepted standard. Physicians from different specialty backgrounds and with different training and clinical diagnostic experience may all read and direct vascular laboratories. 7,11,12 Can these diverse backgrounds and training be accommodated in a single set of standards that qualifies physicians for working in the VDL in these capacities? This chapter will examinationine the desired attributes in regard to formal education and necessary skills, as well as special qualifications required for physicians interpreting noninvasive vascular diagnostic studies.