[Prerequisites for offering ultrasound services in general practice].

In the course of the past few years, sonography has become firmly established in clinical practice. The accuracy of the investigations does not only depend on the quality of the equipment used but also to a considerable degree on the standards of investigator training. To reduce the discrepancy between the number and quality of the investigations in the German Federal Republic, the "Kassenärztliche Vereinigung" has released guidelines requiring the users of sonographic equipment to undergo theoretical and practical training. These guidelines are reviewed and commented.