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Enhancing Sonographer Job Satisfaction with Thoughtful Ultrasound Machine Design

10-21-2024

Today’s sonographer faces various challenges, but the right ultrasound machine can significantly impact job satisfaction. Despite the fulfilling nature of the profession, sonographers encounter a series of challenges that can complicate their daily responsibilities. Declining reimbursements for radiology services, workforce shortages, and work-related musculoskeletal (WRMSK) injuries significantly impact their efficiency and career contentment. Furthermore, the increasing workload and associated burnout have raised concerns regarding staff satisfaction in sonography. In response to these issues, ultrasound machine manufacturers have started implementing various solutions, including ergonomic enhancements, improved training and education, advanced scanning tools, and increased access to clinical support, to help alleviate these rising challenges.

 

What is a Sonographer?

  • A sonographer is a medical professional who uses ultrasound technology to acquire diagnostic images of patients. Typically trained in specific areas of patient care, sonographers possess the technical skills required to specialize in imaging various parts of the human body. They help clinicians diagnose conditions and determine treatment plans by providing ultrasound imaging for the physician’s review. Sonography is a rewarding career that allows practitioners to make positive contributions to the health of the patients they serve.

Ultrasound Ergonomics

Scanning patients continuously throughout the day places stress on the body, which can eventually result in long-term injuries. Ultrasound transducers and their cords can be cumbersome, which can, overtime, cause strain on sonographers’ arms and wrists while scanning. 

Although sonographers are encouraged to scan in the most comfortable position applicable to the exam being performed, tight corners and space constraints often cause them to scan in awkward positions with poor posture. As a result, 80-95% of sonographers experience work-related pain, and 90% of them experience this pain for more than half of their career. 1,2 To help combat WRMSK injuries and fatigue, ultrasound machine vendors are improving ergonomics to promote less movement during scanning. Some recent improvements to ultrasound technology include the following: 

  • Lighter weight equipment, including ultrasound transducers, cables, and the overall weight of the ultrasound machine, for ease of movement
  •  Scan-on batteries for improved mobility 
  • Ambient light adjustments to help mitigate eye fatigue due to prolonged periods of looking at the screen 
  • Customizable touch panels to keep hands in the same area and reduce reaching and straining
  • User-centric user interface (UI) with maneuverable consoles that are backlit for darker rooms 
  • Easy-to-access ultrasound transducer ports that enable sonographers to scan a high volume of patients without repeatedly maneuvering to reach the transducer 

These enhancements can help improve a sonographer’s health and work fulfillment especially since exam volumes have increased, and the number of new sonographers entering the field has not been sufficient to meet the growing demand. Between 2011 and 2021, ultrasound exams in the United States increased by 55.1%, while the number of sonographers increased by 43.6% 3

Intelligent Control Panel
Compact Design
Elevated Transducer Ports
Modular Format for Convenient Serviceability

The growing workload only exacerbates the WRMSK injuries associated with this career, thus demonstrating the need for continuous ultrasound technology updates to make sonographers’ work less physically inhibiting.

Access to Ultrasound Training and Education

  • The demand for new sonographers continues to increase as more tenured sonographers retire and the number of open roles surpasses the number of graduates entering the field. There has been a significant gap between supply and demand between 2011 and 2021, with the number of sonography graduates increasing by 23.0% while the number of open sonographer positions increased by 36.3%.4

    The shortage of tenured sonographers has made ultrasound training resources and personnel harder to find, prolonging the learning curve for new graduates. In response to this challenge, employers and ultrasound vendors have developed virtual educational opportunities and comprehensive training programs that offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits and professional development. These online and remote learning options allow sonographers to engage with expert-guided resources. However, new sonographers need to have access to learning opportunities specific to their workplace, ensuring they receive thorough guidance on the advanced technology they'll be using daily.Establishing effective lab protocols to introduce new technology is crucial in reducing the learning curve of sonographers. Labs that implement structured training programs foster increased comfort and competence among new employees. Additionally, these protocols should address WRMSK injury awareness, incorporating strategies that help prevent and mitigate potential injuries. Training sonographers in ergonomic best practices and enhancements available with the ultrasound systems they operate is vital for maintaining their well-being and efficiency in the workplace.

Advanced Ultrasound Scanning Tools

Ultrasound machines with advanced scanning tools increase throughput and help reduce sonographer fatigue. This improved usability enables more productive work without compromising performance. Systems designed with user-friendly menu navigation simplify the scanning process, making it more intuitive and less time-consuming. This is critical for sonographers scanning high volumes of patients.Some features of advanced scanning tools include: 

  • Customizable annotations and measurements ensure that relevant information is readily accessible and tailored to specific clinical needs
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology further streamlines workflows, enabling more reproducible and rapid acquisition of images and measurements
  • Auto-recognition features assist in identifying pathology or anatomical structures, improving efficiency and throughout
  • Innovative imaging techniques provide adaptability to a variety of patients and body types, offering increased versatility
  • Advanced reporting tools and auto-optimization technology ensure timely completion of exams, lessening the burden on already short-staffed facilities 
  • Combo modes facilitate the display of multiple technologies on a single screen, enabling rapid evaluations of complex situations 

Access to Reliable Ultrasound Technology Service and Support

  • Ultrasound vendors that provide comprehensive support play a role in alleviating the challenges faced by sonographers in their daily operations. Connectivity issues often hinder workflow, impacting throughput and delaying diagnosis, which can result in the need for re-scans and prolong patient care. By offering easy-to-use reporting tools, these vendors help to reduce the time it takes for sonographers to finalize scans, allowing for more efficient patient management. Additionally, remote diagnostic tools minimize downtime by enabling quick troubleshooting, while seamless networking solutions facilitate structured reporting, enhancing data accuracy and accessibility. 

    Access to robust clinical support ensures that sonographers feel confident in their equipment and technology, leading to increased job satisfaction. With rapid service response times and comprehensive clinical application support, ultrasound vendors help foster an environment where sonographers can feel more supported and satisfied.

A Holistic Approach to Addressing Sonography Challenges

While ultrasound machine manufacturers are making efforts to support and empower sonographers, there is no single solution that can fully address the many challenges contributing to staff dissatisfaction and burnout in radiology. Ultrasound vendors, sonography staff, clinicians, hospitals, labs, and other employers must all implement solutions to address the industry-wide problems that are becoming more prevalent in radiology. Because sonographers face issues at every level of the healthcare continuum, a holistic approach is called for between all personnel and healthcare facilities associated with radiology to develop effective solutions.

For now, ultrasound vendors and manufacturers can do their part by making advancements to their ultrasound systems that benefit sonographers’ quality of life and continue to produce and promote educational resources designed to reduce the learning curve. 

The Mindray Difference 

 

At Mindray, we develop meaningful ultrasound solutions to help clinicians provide timely answers and elevate patient care. Our innovative Radiology ultrasound machines offer exceptional image quality and feature a range of AI-enhanced technologies that improve reproducibility, optimize productivity, and help ensure consistency.

Developed with a strong emphasis on ergonomics, intuitive imaging, and streamlined workflows, our ultrasound machines provide clinicians with the critical information they need to deliver confident and reliable answers.

  • Resona 7 Platinum Ultrasound System

    Premium imaging coupled with advanced workflow technologies help ease clinicians’ increasing workload by offering intuitive and easy-to-use smart tools and AI-enhanced technologies to elevate clinician and patient satisfaction. The user-directed ergonomic design is ideal for daily use, enabling clinicians to capture premium images without sacrificing comfort.

  • Resona I9 Ultrasound System

    Breaking the mold of conventional ultrasound systems and bringing usability and ergonomics into the limelight, the Resona I9 provides an entirely new experience that is driven by innovation. With an extensive suite of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced technologies, the system improves reproducibility, optimizes productivity, and increases consistency for end-users.

References:

 

1 Jakes C. Sonographers and occupational overuse syndrome: Cause, effect, and solutions. J Diagnostic Med Sonography 2001; 17: 74.

2 Mason B, Robinson C, Brinsmead S, Hassall L, Chamberlin S. The 2014 ASA workplace health and safety survey results. Soundeffects News 2014; 3: 26–29.

3 Won, Daniel, et al. “Sound the alarm: The sonographer shortage is echoing across healthcare.” Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, vol. 43, no. 7, 27 Mar. 2024, pp. 1289–1301, https://doi.org/10.1002/jum.16453.

4 Won, Daniel, et al. “Sound the alarm: The sonographer shortage is echoing across healthcare.” Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, vol. 43, no. 7, 27 Mar. 2024, pp. 1289–1301, https://doi.org/10.1002/jum.16453.

 

Educational Resources for Sonographers:

ARDMS | American Registry for Diagnostic Medical SonographySonography Canada

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) - Elevating Sonography

Society for Vascular Ultrasound | Research. Education. Advocacy. (svu.org)

American Society of Echocardiography – Organization of professionals committed to excellence in cardiovascular ultrasound (asecho.org)

Ultrasound & Sonography Learning & Events – AIUM

Ultrasound Ergonomics Products | Sound Ergonomics

IAC - Intersocietal Accreditation Commission