[The methods of using the echocardiogram in outpatients. The role of the cardiologist for more appropriate use of the procedure. The Ligurian Group of the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Echocardiography].

Concerns about the increasing medical care costs are causing the medical community to focus its attention on the appropriate of diagnostic tests such as echocardiography. Prerequisite to a better utilization of the limited economic resources assigned to our health care system is an analysis of how, why, and with which results diagnostic tests with a widespread use and relevant cost, like echocardiography, are requested. During the last 2 weeks of September 1994, a transversal, observational study was carried out at 13 hospital echocardiographic laboratories.