Sonographer-Patient Interactions in the Health Care Field
The profession of sonography has been around for over thirteen years; however, if one were to ask the average American what the occupation of a Sonographer entitled, there would likely be a wide-range of answers. When most individuals hear the word “Ultrasound” they will automatically pair this term with “pregnant women.” Very seldom would one put the profession of sonography with other aspects of Health Care such as Cardiac output, or Liver functionality. “Diagnostic sonography is medical two-dimensional and three-dimensional anatomic flow imaging using ultrasound. Ultrasound imaging is not a passive push-button activity but rather an interactive process involving the sonographer, patient, transducer, instrument and sonologist” (Kremkau, 2006, p.3). With its real-time scanning results and its precision capabilities, sonography is a safer and more cost-efficient alternative to other imaging procedures such as X-Ray and MRI’s. These benefits make it an excellent alternate in numerous health care fields, not just in Obstetrics like many presume the practice to be primarily used for.
Since sonography has the ability to be used in several health care fields, a Sonographer will likely interact with many different patients with a variation of health care needs throughout their career. Exceptional patient interaction is key with any health care field, however it is something that takes knowledge and practice to achieve. Good health care all begins with good patient interactions; and the interaction begins from the patient’s first encounter. Quality of care given by a Physician is just one component of a patient’s health care experience. “There’s a temptation to think that th...
... middle of paper ...
...gistered and licensed through the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography to maintain their professionalism. It’s crucial to remember that without professionalism, the sonographer-patient interactions would be inapt.
The bulk of the patient interaction is going to take place during the actual ultrasound procedure. “The most appropriate procedure plan seeks to optimize patient safety and comfort, diagnostic ultrasound quality and efficient use of resources, while achieving the diagnostic objective examination” (CITATION). Here it is the job of the sonographer to take all the previously gathered information and develop a diagnostic procedure plan for the patient. It is important for the sonographer to keep the patients age and gender in mind and use professional medical judgment to adapt the procedure to meet the patient’s needs and enhance examination results.
I have always been fascinated with the medical field ever since I was little, my first choice for electives were always health science and anatomy classes. After my cousin, Deanna, had her first child and receive her first ultrasound, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The ultrasound technician had made her feel so comforted and just made the entire experience enjoyable for everyone; I’m eager to be able to start my life with a job that I know I will love. Anytime that I meet someone who is in the field themselves, I always ask questions and listen to what they do throughout the day to get some real insight on what being a technician really entails.
Moreover, I will let the patient become familiar with any instruments such as a speculum, and demonstrate the tools that will be used to obtain tissue samples that would be used during the examination. Explaining the procedure is also a significant step; this will allow the patient have a sense of control during the examination as we ask and answer questions about their current state, that would help disseminate any concern they may have. Meanwhile, they can learn about what may happen, related to any body sensations or feelings they can experience during the procedure, all while the provider continues to develop rapport and patient’s trust
“A healthcare provider’s bedside manner encompasses their medical knowledge, personality, and ability to understand the patient and communicate their concern for them.” (Britt). Although some individuals don’t see the importance of communication and emotional connection with patients in the medical field, doctors who have problems properly interacting with their patients will have a lower chance of success in healing them. Doctors receive so much education but are never taught proper bedside manners, which is the way that physicians interact with patients. In order to ensure a patient’s comfort, psychological well-being, and physical health, a physician must truly understand their patient.
Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through the use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in the diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies and is provided by obstetric and gynecologic sonographers, who also provide imaging of the female reproductive system. Other types of sonography include; abdominal sonography, breast sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, neurosonography and cardiovascular sonography. Due to the vast nature of uses in sonography, most professionals study one field that they choose to specialize in. Diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing field because of the increase in medical advances. The area of Cleveland, Ohio has continued to rise in the medical field with great strides, providing better career prospects with the availability of numerous employment positions.
Many wonder how do ultrasounds truly work. Ultrasounds are actually more complex than what they seem to be. First, the ultrasound machine transmits high-frequency sound pulses into your body using a probe, and then sound waves travel into your body and hit a boundary between tissues (Freudenrich, 2011). An example of this would be between fluid and soft tissue and soft tissue and bone. After that, some of the sound waves get reflected back to the probe, while some travel on further until they reach another boundary and get reflected, the reflected waves are then picked up by the probe and relayed to the machine. The machine calculates the distance from the probe to the tissue or organ using the speed of sound in tissue and the time of the each echo's return. Finally, the machine displays the distances and intensities of the echoes on the screen, forming a two dimensional image like the one shown below (Freudenrich, 2011).
If you're really interested in the world of sonography, it's never too late to get started. Do proper research, start on your certificate or degree and get out into the medical world to start your new career.
A career is a long time employment role which centers around the passion of ongoing goals that one wants to achieve.For my career, I will choose to become an Obstetric sonographer.Obstetric sonographers are people who perform ultrasounds on the pelvic region of female patients and fetuses.medical sonographers typically need to obtain an associate or bachelor's degree in sonography from a college or university. Basic skills that are required are to have solid technical skills for being able to function the equipment and getting practicable images, the physical skills of good hand-eye coordination to move appliances on the patient’s body in correlation to what appears on the screen, endurance to stand for long periods of time and the capacity
Dealing with babies and people is something I love, and I want to incorporate that into a job. That’s why becoming an Ultrasound Technician is something I was to pursue because I have the heart for working in the medical field, I love babies, and I will be constantly using skills every day on the job. I have been influenced by my family and friends because they always tell me how I have the heart for working in the medical field. They say I would absolutely love it if I stick with it. My personality assessment and interest inventory told me that I would be best in working in a health career because of my ability to constantly help people and how much I care about my accomplishments. I care more about my prestige and accomplishments than my
The dream that I most desire in life is to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I’ve always had an interest in the inner workings of the human body, but I also value life, and care for others, and my happiness is the happiness of others. Although this career has its bumps on the road just to see mothers face light up when they see the image of their unborn baby is such a breath taking experience. This all originated from going to one of my sisters’ ultrasound appointment that I ended up going to all my sisters’ ultrasound appointments. I believe becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer is something I can do because I have what it takes. Diagnostic medical sonographer is imaging modality that can work in conjunction with other imaging modalities
In general, ultrasound waves produced by an instrument called transducer are sent into a patient. Some of the waves are absorbed, but the other portion of these waves are reflected when tissue and organ boundaries are encountered. The echoes produced by the reflected waves are then picked up by the transducer and translated in a visible picture often referred to as ultrasound. In the paragraphs that follow, the physics of how the transducer functions, what the ultrasound waves do, and how the image is formed will be explained.
According to society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography website; sonographers are responsible for, “ a certification on Medical field, and be specialized in any part like abdomen or vascular”. The program provides educational and clinical experience that result inextensive knowledge. “...sonographer certification/credential in each of speciality areas in which the sonographer practices”. Associate and bachelor’s degree are available to any medical sonographer in the medical field. (South Texas College website) “ Throughout the clinical and practicum aspects of the program, students will train in various medical facilities”. ( South Texas College
The article shows the job entail which says “to be involved with the interventional procedures” (Baltimore sun). This means to scan almost every part of the body except for the vascular system, health and or limited pediatrics. Depending on what the patient would be coming in for determines what kind of procedures the patient would need. According to the article “sonographers operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests” (Baltimore Sun). Meaning the images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. In also helping assist physicians and surgeons during surgical procedures. As a result, the job responsibilities for this career must be taken seriously. Technique is another key factor that will be needed in order to help others. Not many problems can occur with the patient’s appointment or health, if the technician knows how to do the job correctly. This would conclude all the necessities in order to be very successful and main points of view for a Diagnostic Medical
Although being academically smart is an important factor for this program, there are also other qualities that are just as important if not more. Some of those qualities that can make you an exceptional sonographer are being compassionate, caring, and being able to work well with others. The reason why I said this is because I believe “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” (John C. Maxwell). Also it’s critical that you understand the concept of teamwork and that you can work well with others. In this field you need to work with doctors and other caregivers to deliver the best care for the patient. I can assure you that if you give me this opportunity to study in this great program, you will not be disappointed, but in fact be pleased, because I will do whatever it takes to complete this program successfully and become a great diagnostic medical sonographer. I thank you very much for taking the time to read
Ultrasound Technicians are very valuable in the world of health care. Also known as Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, an Ultrasound Technician uses special machines and equipment that operates on sound waves to determine or diagnose medical problems for patients. There are specializations within this field in which some individuals explore. For instance, areas of specialization includes but not limited to; pregnancy, heart health, gynecology, and abdominal sonography. Although each specializing branch has its own distinctive function, they all involve probing the body to facilitate doctors with diagnoses.
Qualitative research is regarded as an inductive process, which within natural settings attempts to produce insights on the subjective experiences, meanings, practices and point of views of those involved (Craig & Smyth, 2007). The aim here was to investigate factors influencing the communication styles used by the radiographers, therefore, allowing a better understanding to patient-centred care within diagnostic radiography.