Sonography is morphing at the speed of sound. From static scanners to electronic arrays, from fuzzy mysterious shadows to images of stunning detail, the technology and its products advance.
In 1984, armed with a good education and impressive new ARDMS credentials, I joined the ranks of ultrasound pioneers, continuing the work begun by mid-20th century investigators whose perseverance and vision is reflected in our images. Twenty-three years later, new graduates join the profession as the next pioneers: 21st century sonographers, equipped with ever more dazzling technology. From static to real-time scanning to Doppler to 3D and beyond, just when the technological wave seems to be cresting, human curiosity, spirit, and ingenuity fuel ever larger, more powerful swells.
Of course, sonography is more than machines. What about the essence of the profession itself? With evolving technology and emerging applications, where will our challenges lie? How is the profession changing, and how do we prepare?
We sonographers are a diverse group. We are men, women, young singles, working parents, and grandparents. We scan in large medical institutions, in small rural offices, in remote villages, and on battlefields. We have associates, bachelors, and masters degrees, PhDs, and MDs. We arrived at this profession through systematic career research or quite by accident. But whomever we are, however we came to be here, we share in shaping the future of our profession, the modality, and, most importantly, human health and quality of life.
In this rich climate of medical evolution, our most critical tool will always be our initiative to stay informed. This column will serve as a forum in which we can look at our roots, share our accomplishments, examine our concerns, and explore our future. We’ve come a long way since water-filled horse troughs and motorized transducers. But however the profession morphs, whatever the future brings, together we can grow to meet the demands, to face the challenges, and to accept opportunities as they unfold.
