What is a sonographer? A sonographer is an imaging technologist trained in the use of ultrasound to produce diagnostic quality images and quantitative data. They are a part of the most modern class of health workers known as allied health professionals. Sonographers play an integral role in radiology departments and, radiologists and even cardiologists, depend on their high-quality images and worksheets to produce a diagnostic report. Just as with any other profession, the path to becoming a sonographer can vary from country to country.
In the United States, one can become a sonographer by obtaining an associate degree in medical sonography. Most persons complete a four-year degree in medical sonography where they learn more specialized ultrasound tests. Most employers require certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography ARDMS. The ARDMS exam, commonly called The Registry exam, is usually completed by the end of training as graduating sonographers compete for jobs at prestigious institutions. The qualifications to sit ARDMS exam can be found here. Sonographers must also annually show proof of their continuing education to maintain certification.
In Canada and the European Union it is similar to the US with their own versions of certifying exams and accrediting bodies.
In the UK training is very different among developed countries. Ultrasound training is provided as postgraduate degrees, usually a prior bachelor's degree in radiography as the requirement. There is no mandatory register of sonographers in the UK and no universal certifying exam. UK sonographers work alongside radiologists but in some practices complete their own diagnostic reports that will be sent to the referring doctor. This is not without controversy. The Royal College of Radiology has voiced concerns over the risks associated with the unregulated practice of self-reporting sonographers in the UK.
In Australia, a system of post graduate training is also followed but acceptance to the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry is mandatory which provides standardization.
In China, ultrasound training is very heterogenous and varies by province. In some places sonographers are technologist that work in radiology departments and would have completed a degree and certifying exams. In others ultrasound training is similar to how dentists train in Guyana, with shared courses with first- and second-year medical school and then two or three more years focused on ultrasound only.
In the developing world, qualified sonographers are rare. In Guyana there is no stand-alone ultrasound training program. The exception is for echocardiography technologists that work along with the cardiologists. Professionals who have met the criteria for training and clinical experience in general ultrasound must be registered with the Allied Health Council of Guyana to practice as a sonographer. Sonographers are legally required to work under direct supervision of a doctor which would include radiologists, sonologists and cardiologists. Unfortunately, the practical duties and expectations are different than in developed countries and are basically limited to producing a report rapidly in most facilities instead of recording high quality images that can be reviewed at any time. In this way- most of the image acquisition skills obtained in sonography training is not used and instead, sonographers that may not have been trained in clinical assessment of a patient are forced to make diagnosis and recommend work up to survive in the field. Patients are often forced to have ultrasound scans repeated because of doubt in the diagnosis. This phenomenon is unheard of in the developed world- if there is a doubt and a second opinion is needed, a review of the images is usually all that is required-impossible when no images are stored. However, the Ministry of Health Standards and Technical Services and the government of Guyana has made great strides in strengthening regulations for accountability in the practice of ultrasound. Also, graduates of the University of Guyana, radiologists and sonographers have been working together since 2021 to provide high quality ultrasound diagnosis and archived images of all anatomy reported.
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