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Abuzaid MM, Elshami W. Voices from the field: A qualitative exploration of sonography professionals in the United Arab Emirates through focus group discussions. Radiography (Lond) 2024; 30:834-839. [PMID: 38552563 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The practice of sonography in the United Arab Emirates is evolving rapidly. This study explores the professional landscape and challenges of sonography practice in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on identifying areas for improvement in education, practice scope, and professional development. METHODS Employing qualitative methodologies, using focus group discussions and thematic analysis, this research gathers insights from practicing sonographers across various healthcare settings in the UAE to assess current practices, educational needs, and workplace challenges. RESULTS Findings reveal a consensus among sonographers on the need for a structured professional framework, standardized education pathways, and clear career progression routes. Additionally, the study highlights a desire among sonographers for an expanded scope of practice, particularly in specialized areas, amidst challenges such as workload and equipment quality. CONCLUSIONS The study concludes that enhancing the sonography profession in the UAE requires a comprehensive approach that includes developing a regulatory framework, improving access to specialized training, and recognizing sonographers' advanced practice roles. IMPLICATIONS OF PRACTICE Recommendations include establishing accredited educational programs, developing a formal competency framework, and advocating for role expansion and professional recognition. These steps are essential for meeting the evolving needs of the healthcare system and improving patient care outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Abuzaid
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, Medical Diagnostic Imaging Department, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - W Elshami
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, Medical Diagnostic Imaging Department, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Pedersen MRV, Kraus B, Santos R, Harrison G. Sonographers' perspectives on research - A worldwide online questionnaire study. Radiography (Lond) 2024; 30:483-491. [PMID: 38219390 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research has been performed by sonographers (also known as ultrasound reporting radiographers) for many years for improving diagnosis of disease, developing new imaging approaches, and enhancing patient outcomes. Despite this, sonographers' perspectives on research have not been well studied. To understand the views of sonographers is essential, as they have an important role in the successful implementation of research outcomes during their daily work. The study aimed to explore sonographers' perspectives on research. METHODS This cross-sectional online questionnaire was developed, and pilot tested, before distribution on social media platforms by the research group to sonographers or reporting radiographers in ultrasound worldwide. The questionnaire included 21-items. The link was open for 8 weeks in the spring of 2023. A mix of closed, open and scale questions were used. Informed consent was mandatory, and information about the study and anonymity was presented. RESULTS A total of 165 sonographers participated in the questionnaire of which 66.1 % were from Europe (n = 109), 6.1 % from North America (n = 10), 0.6 % from South America (n = 1), 2.4 % from Asia (n = 4), 13.3 % from Africa (n = 22) and 11.5 % from Oceania (n = 19). A total of 32 % of the participants had performed research. Also, 68.5 % would like to become more involved in research. CONCLUSION Most sonographers work in large hospitals, and half of them have obtained academic level 7 education. A limited number of sonographers have published peer reviewed papers. Many sonographers expressed an interest in research. This suggests a potential for future development of the sonographers' role in research. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The findings for this study provide insight that could be used to improve research practice for sonographers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R V Pedersen
- Department of Radiology, Vejle Hospital - Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; Department of Radiology, Kolding Hospital- Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Kolding, Denmark; Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), Rue Marechal Teixeira Rebelo 425, 5030-058 Cumiera, Portugal.
| | - B Kraus
- Department of Health Sciences, Radiological Technology, University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien, Favoritenstrasse 226, A-1100 Vienna, Austria; European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), Rue Marechal Teixeira Rebelo 425, 5030-058 Cumiera, Portugal
| | - R Santos
- Medical Imaging Radiotherapy Department, Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rue 5 de Outubro, 3046-854, Portugal; Laboratory for Applied Health Research ((LabinSaúde), Coimbra 3046-854, Portugal; European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), Rue Marechal Teixeira Rebelo 425, 5030-058 Cumiera, Portugal
| | - G Harrison
- Society and College of Radiographers, 207 Providence Square Mill Street, London SE1 2EW, UK; European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), Rue Marechal Teixeira Rebelo 425, 5030-058 Cumiera, Portugal
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Ashford SA, Morris G, Smith MJ. Ultrasound image guided injection of botulinum toxin for the management of spasticity: A Delphi study to develop recommendations for a scope of practice, competency, and governance framework. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl 2023; 5:100299. [PMID: 38163024 PMCID: PMC10757174 DOI: 10.1016/j.arrct.2023.100299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To establish a scope of practice, competency (through education) and governance framework for ultrasound image guided injection of botulinum toxin in the management of spasticity. Design Delphi study. Setting International, web-based survey. Participants A purposively selected multidisciplinary (physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists) panel of experts (n=15) in the use of ultrasound image guided injection of botulinum toxin for management of spasticity. Panel members were predominantly based in the UK (11/15). Interventions In round 1, open-ended questions were posed relating to potential scope of practice for 'ultrasound imaging in spasticity management'; (specifically relating to ultrasound image guided injection of Botulinum Toxin) education/competency and governance considerations. In round 2, respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement with the statements generated. Outcome measures 5-point Likert scale used for rating the statements. Threshold for consensus agreement was set at 70% or above. Results Three different scopes of practice relating to ultrasound imaging in spasticity management were accepted. The primary scope of practice was the use of ultrasound imaging to guide safe and accurate delivery of botulinum toxin. Relating to this primary scope, 7 competency requirements were agreed relating to areas including image optimization and interpretation, needle visualization and safety. A singular, broad governance statement was generated. Conclusion Relating specifically to guided injection of botulinum toxin for management of spasticity, we present a scope of practice, competency, and governance framework. These are integrated within a framework approach to provide a mechanism for increased patient access to accurate, safe, and effective focal spasticity treatment. The framework supports focused training routes, greater inter-profession communication and wider clinical community engagement in spasticity management using this modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A. Ashford
- Regional Hyper-acute Rehabilitation Unit, London North West University healthcare NHS Trust & Department of Palliative Care, King's College London, London, England
| | - Gary Morris
- School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales
- Hywel Dda University Health Board, Carmarthen, Wales
| | - Michael J. Smith
- School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales
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Smith M, Krishnan SV, Leamon A, Galwankar S, Sinha TP, Kumar VA, Laere JV, Gallien J, Bhoi S. Removing Barriers to Emergency Medicine Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Illustrated by a Roadmap for Emergency Medicine Point-of-Care Ultrasound Expansion in India. J Emerg Trauma Shock 2023; 16:116-126. [PMID: 38025509 PMCID: PMC10661575 DOI: 10.4103/jets.jets_50_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has a potentially vital role to play in emergency medicine (EM), whether it be in high-, medium-, or low-resourced settings. However, numerous barriers are present which impede EM PoCUS implementation nationally and globally: (i) lack of a national practice guideline or scope of practice for EM PoCUS, (ii) resistance from non-PoCUS users of ultrasound imaging (USI) and lack of awareness from those who undertake parallel or post-EM patient care, and (iii) heterogeneous pattern of resources available in different institutes and settings. When combined with the Indian Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, this has led to the majority of India's 1.4 billion citizens being unable to access EM PoCUS. In order to address these barriers (globally as well as with specific application to India), this article outlines the three core principles of EM PoCUS: (i) the remit of the EM PoCUS USI must be well defined a priori, (ii) the standard of EM PoCUS USI must be the same as that of non-PoCUS users of USI, and (iii) the imaging performed should align with subsequent clinical decision-making and resource availability. These principles are contextualized using an integrated PoCUS framework approach which is designed to provide a robust foundation for consolidation and expansion across different PoCUS specialisms and health-care settings. Thus, a range of mechanisms (from optimization of clinical practice through to PoCUS educational reform) are presented to address such barriers. For India, these are combined with specific mechanisms to address the PCPNDT Act, to provide the basis for influencing national legislation and instigating an addendum to the Act. By mapping to the recent Lancet Commission publication on transforming access to diagnostics, this provides a global and cross-discipline perspective for the recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Smith
- School of Health Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - S. Vimal Krishnan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Andrew Leamon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Sagar Galwankar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Tej Prakash Sinha
- Department of Emergency Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Vijaya Arun Kumar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeffrey V. Laere
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - John Gallien
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sanjeev Bhoi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Smith M, Innes S, Wildman S, Baker D. A proposed framework for point of care musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound image-guided interventions by physiotherapists: scope of practice, education and governance. Ultrasound J 2023; 15:15. [PMID: 36939971 PMCID: PMC10027973 DOI: 10.1186/s13089-023-00311-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in the management of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders is a diverse area of PoCUS practice. Its use by clinicians, such as physiotherapists, can occur across a wide range of roles and care pathway configurations; however, professional, educational and regulatory uncertainties can leave clinicians, managers and patients at risk. MAIN BODY A PoCUS framework approach (previously applied to support PoCUS consolidation and expansion) is used to frame these proposals. Central to this is the defining of (clinical and sonographic) scope of practice (ScoP). A number of indicative ScoPs are described to both (i) illustrate application of the principles and (ii) provide templates for ScoP derivations for individual services or clinicians. Image-guided MSK interventions are increasingly an aspect of MSK physiotherapy PoCUS. Given the utility of physiotherapists drawing upon their imaging to fully inform the selection (and performance) of such techniques, we present a rationale for competency in undertaking sonographic differentials as a pre-cursor to performing ultrasound image-guided MSK interventions. Alignment of ScoP with the relevant education and formal competency assessments are a cornerstone of the PoCUS framework approach; as such, key aspects of MSK PoCUS education and competency assessment are outlined. Strategies for addressing such requirements in healthcare settings where formal provision is not accessible, are also presented. Governance considerations are aligned with the regulatory environment, including those pertaining to professional guidance and insurance considerations. In addition, generic quality assurance elements are emphasised, as core aspects of high-quality service provision. Whilst the paper clarifies the situation for MSK physiotherapists using PoCUS in the UK, prompts are provided to support other professional groups working in MSK services in the United Kingdom (UK) and MSK physiotherapists/physical therapists in other countries-to facilitate their application of the principles. CONCLUSION Acknowledging the breadth of MSK physiotherapy PoCUS practice, this paper draws upon a framework approach to provide integrated ScoP, education/competency and governance solutions, along with mechanisms for other professions working with MSK PoCUS-and physiotherapists/physical therapists outside of the UK-to consolidate and expand their practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Smith
- School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Sue Innes
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Stuart Wildman
- Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guilford, UK
- Brunel University, London, UK
| | - David Baker
- Brunel University, London, UK
- Complete Physio Limited, London, UK
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