HIFU: experience and training required

Question: Would you feel comfortable flying in a Boeing 747 if a technician trained the pilot flying that plane, rather than a flight instructor? You would probably feel more at ease knowing that your pilot had been properly trained and had thorough experience. And why wouldn’t you? You want to feel safe and protected by the person leading your flight – they hold your life in their hands.

The same goes for your high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) physician – you want someone who has been properly trained and educated by peers who have been performing the procedure for many years. The advantage of HIFU performed by an experienced, peer-to-peer trained physician is the minimal risk of side effects. At Scionti Prostate Center, Dr. Scionti personally performs every procedure and follows the most advanced protocols.

“With HIFU, you cannot shortcut training or experience. Mastering these highly complex procedures takes years of hands-on practice,” says Dr. Stephen Scionti. “If you’re a patient and want the advantages of this non-invasive revolutionary technology, do your homework and find the best physician with the most HIFU experience that you can; good outcomes are obtained by skilled and highly experienced HIFU physicians.”

Patients are not the only ones to directly benefit from Dr. Scionti’s experience. Dr. Scionti is directly involved in the training process for urologists interested in incorporating HIFU technology into their practices. He has proctored procedures of more than 80 urologists at Sonacare’s International Centers of Excellence and served as director of Clinical Education and Training for USHIFU and SonaCare Medical, the manufacturer of the Sonablate.