Prevalence, risks, underlying mechanisms, preventative guidelines, and interventions of sonographer work‐related injuries: A literature review

Work-related injuries (WRIs) in sonographers are concerning for sonographers and their employers. This review synthesised published guidelines, recommendations, and research relating to the prevalence, risks, underlying mechanisms, and preventative interventions of sonographer WRIs to improve understanding of the existing evidence and knowledge gaps in this area. Seventy articles published between 1985 and 2018 were identified and reviewed. Sonographer WRIs are very prevalent.Monitoring of prevalence should continue, preferably using a standardised, validated, and reproducible survey instrument. Risk factors for sonographer WRIs predominantly include not only ergonomic and postural factors, but also workflow, health status, mental stress, sonographer age, and patient characteristics. More case-control and cohort studies are needed to provide more accurate data for determining risk factors. More studies evaluating preventative interventions using rigorous research methods which include consultation with work, health, and safety experts, and stakeholders such as sonographers, sonographer employers/managers, equipment manufacturers, and patients are required. There is a lack of studies investigating long term, economic, and productivity outcomes of preventative interventions. The building and expansion of a cohesive and useful body of knowledge of sonographer WRIs will inform future guideline development and revision, and motivate sonographers and their managers to implement and support valid preventative interventions

Pilot study to identify attributes of professionalism in sonography

Introduction: While a list of competency standards exists for sonographers, the profession does not have a specific statement concerning professionalism. What constitutes professionalism within sonography is important and needs to be considered from the perspective of all stakeholders. This paper reports the results of the first two exploratory phases of a larger study investigating professionalism in sonography. Methods: Phase 1 involved interviews with experienced and early-career sonographers to identify attributes of professionalism within the context of sonography. Attributes identified in phase 1 were used to frame survey questions for phase 2. In phase 2, sonography patients were asked to rate the attributes using Likert-type responses, and to provide additional comments at the end of each category. Patients had the opportunity to add attributes not mentioned in the survey. Results: Content analysis of Phase 1 interview data identified 27 professional attributes organised into seven categories. Phase 2 results indicated that only a few attributes were rated as not important or not applicable by patients. Highest-rating attributes by patients included verbal communication, patient privacy, trust, behaviour, empathy, and respect. Attributes that were not rated as highly included rapport, physical presentation, dedication to learning and improving oneself, personality, and role model. Conclusion: Due to the complexities around a clear definition of professionalism within the context of sonography, this study has highlighted the need for a comprehensive list of attributes to identify what professionalism in sonography means. Implications for practice: Having a clear understanding of the concept of professionalism within the context of sonography will provide a guide for sonographers and sonography students, and enable academic and on-site clinical trainers to explicitly teach what professionalism looks like and feels like in sonography practice