Introduction to Ultrasonography and Patient Care

Part 1 Foundations: definition and origins - an historical perspective. Part 2 Orientation: role of the sonographer; who should be a sonographer?, interests, aptitudes, abilities, personal adjustment; career advantages; career information sources. Part 3 The sonographer as a student: learning dynamics (memory vs. deduction); programs of study - practical (OJT), diploma/certificate programs. Part 4 Patient/sonographer interaction: patient care, medical history and vital signs, positioning, scanning planes, instrumentation; safety, body mechanics, basic skills related to asepsis/isolation, emergency medical situations (CPR); asisting patients with special needs, emotional needs, transcultural backgrounds, communication skills. Part 5 Communication skills and problem solving: exploring attitudes and feelings; patients with special communication problems; introduction to the grieving process; sonographer reports; videotaping obstetrical examination. Part 6 Ethics and integrity: basic human needs, ethics and professionalism, SDMS code of ethics, legqal considerations patient and sonographer rights. Part 7 Environment: hospital and clinical settings: administration, referring physicians and staff, imaging, department or laboratory, planning and organizing, safety and preparedness, non-hospital settings, office practices, mobile ultrasound, freelancing. Part 8 Bridging the gap between student and graudate sonographers: speical skills expected of diagnostic medical sonographers; sonography clinical specialties; hospital career opportunities, staff sonographer, chief sonographer, department manager; non-hospital careers, teaching, research, commercial, law, communications.