Week 7 - Ultrasound and theatre

Week 7

A little treat from coworkers

Ultrasound was the first modality with significant differences. In Ireland sonographers are a lot more present, doing ultrasound scans (normal and transvaginal) independently while reporting about their findings in a descriptive way. In Finland there are only a couple dozen sonographers and only a small percentage of them work just in ultrasound. In Finland sonographers are only allowed to perform simple, pre-dictated scnas like the abdomen or achilles heel. In Ireland it feels like sonographers allows natural, rewarding career progression to radiographers. 

My role in ultrasound has been preparing the room (including sterile table and sample jars if necessary), undressing the patient and selecting the right patient on the ultrasound machine. Sometimes the roles of radiographers and doctora are very clear - a doctor may not know how to select a patient while a radiographer doesn't know how to freeze the image. Overall doctors are not too fond of sonographers in Finland and sonographers feel like a threat to them. I know Ireland has fought for sonographers' rights and there will soon be a clinical study which involves radiographers diagnosing instead of just giving a descriptive report. I hope Finland can follow Ireland's example and improve the field of sonography and bring MSc level radiography education to school again. 

On Thursday I got a chance to visit the theatre. I saw one ankle surgery. I was surprised to see the radiographer move the C-arm. In Finland there are no nurses and radiographers are in charge of the sterile table and equipment. In Ireland radiographers are in charge of the C-arm movement.

Context of the modern Irish Radiographer

The differences between radiography in Ireland and Finland surprised me. Ultrasound and the role of sonographers was very fascinating. Ireland is way ahead when it comes to sonographers and the examinations they are allowed to perform. I learned about a study that was taking place at SVUH that compared sonographers with different work experiences to radiologists and their reporting. The aim of the study is to allowed radiographers to diagnose and do full reporting instead of just a descriptive report. In Finland doctors aren’t too fond of the idea of sonographers and we still have a long way to go.

Fun fact, in Ireland radiography is a bachelor of science while in Finland it is bachelor in health sciences.

Some coworkers recommended I visit the Dublin Zoo and I was not disappointed.