The role of the sonographer – An investigation into the scope of practice for the sonographer internationally

IntroductionThere is global variance in the role of a practicing sonographer. Literature examining global sonographic roles and scope of practice is limited, despite the international applicability of ultrasound imaging. This study aimed to examine the common and divergent features of a practicing sonographer internationally, and their impact upon the development of a global standard of practice.MethodsAn ethically approved mixed-methods online survey was conducted. The purposive sample included all 75 current elected council members of the ISRRT [International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists], an international professional organisation.ResultsThirty-six individuals from at least 32 different countries responded, reflecting the sonography profession in all four ISRRT regions. The results suggest that sonographer education requirements differ widely, from on the job training (16%, 6/36) to undergraduate or postgraduate schooling (44%, 16/36). Registration and accreditation bodies were present in the jurisdiction of 41% (14/34) and 35% (12/33) of respondents respectively, though many were voluntary, physician-focused or non-specific to sonographers. Five of 11 (45%) respondents suggested that the sonographer–radiologist relationship is individual-dependent, and not primarily positive or negative. Ten of 28 (36%) suggested that other professionals do not know the role of the sonographer.ConclusionThe majority of ISRRT council member respondents believe that an international scope of practice could benefit and be implemented in their jurisdiction (26/28, 93% and 22/33, 67%). The key advantages noted were standardisation of education and improved professional mobility. However, lack of sonographer education and radiologist acceptance are important potential barriers.Implications for practiceAn international scope of practice could be beneficial and implementable in most ISRRT jurisdictions. Professional mobility and education standardization are the primary advantages. Insufficient sonographer education and physician acceptance are the key potential obstacles.     

Assessing Southeastern Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’ Business and Operational Skill Sets

As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) open private practices in medically underserved areas, clinical, practice management, and business skills are needed conjunctively to remain operational. Further information is needed to understand APRN business and entrepreneurial skill needs. A convenience sample assessed perceptions of confidence in business and operational skill sets needed for entrepreneurial roles in 102 APRNs, representing diversity of subspecialties and practice locations in 4 southeastern states with provider shortages: Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Sustaining practices in underserved areas requires providing innovative educational offerings to address APRN business skills needs.     

Pure laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation: Dreams come true

Minimally invasive approaches are increasingly being applied in surgeries and have recently been used in living donor hepatectomy. We have developed a safe and reproducible method for minimally invasive living donor liver transplantation, which consists of pure laparoscopic explant hepatectomy and pure laparoscopic implantation of the graft, which was inserted through a suprapubic incision. Pure laparoscopic explant hepatectomy without liver fragmentation was performed in a 60-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The explanted liver was retrieved through a suprapubic incision. A modified right liver graft, procured from his 24-year-old son using the pure laparoscopic method, was inserted through a suprapubic incision, and implantation was performed intracorporeally throughout the procedure. The time required to remove the liver was 369 min, and the total operative time was 960 min. No complications occurred during or after the surgery. The patient recovered well, and his hospital stay was of 11 days. Pure laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation from explant hepatectomy to implantation was performed successfully. It is a feasible procedure when performed by a highly experienced surgeon and transplantation team. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm its safety and feasibility.

     

Method’s corner: Allergist’s guide to network meta-analysis

Network meta-analyses (NMAs) simultaneously estimate the effects of multiple possible treatment options for a given clinical presentation. For allergists to benefit optimally from NMAs, they must understand the process and be able to interpret the results. Through a worked example published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, we summarize how to identify credible NMAs and interpret them with a focus on recent innovations in the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). NMAs build on traditional systematic reviews and meta-analyses that consider only direct paired comparisons by including indirect evidence, thus allowing the simultaneous assessment of the relative effect of all pairs of competing alternatives. Our framework informs clinicians of how to identify credible NMAs and address the certainty of the evidence. Trustworthy NMAs fill a critical gap in providing key inferences using direct and indirect evidence to inform clinical decision making when faced with more than two competing courses of treatment options. This document will help allergists to identify trustworthy NMAs to enhance patient care.     

‘It felt like there was always someone there for us’: Supporting children affected by domestic violence and abuse who are identified by general practice

One in five children in the UK are affected by domestic violence and abuse. However, primary care clinicians (GPs and nurses) struggle to effectively identify and support children and young people living in homes where it is present. The IRIS+ (Enhanced Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) training and advocacy support intervention aimed to improve how clinicians respond to children and young people affected by domestic violence and abuse. IRIS+ training was delivered as part of a feasibility study to four general practices in an urban area in England (UK). Our mixed method design included interviews and questionnaires about the IRIS+ intervention with general practice patients, including children and young people as well as with clinicians and advocacy service providers. We collected the number of identifications and referrals by clinicians of children experiencing domestic violence and abuse through a retrospective search of medical and agency records 10 months after the intervention. Forty-nine children exposed to domestic violence and abuse were recorded in medical records. Thirty-five children were referred to a specialist domestic violence and abuse support service over a period of 10 months. Of these, 22 received direct or indirect support. The qualitative findings indicated that children benefitted from being referred by clinicians to the service. However, several barriers at the patient and professional level prevented children and young people from being identified and supported. Some of these barriers can be addressed through modifications to professional training and guidance, but others require systematic and structural changes to the way health and social care services work with children affected by domestic violence and abuse.     

模拟环境下间隔学习对临床技能习得与保持的影响研究进展

临床技能习得与保持一直是医学教育发展面临的重要问题,而随着医学教育的发展与改革,模拟环境下的间隔学习模式受到广泛关注。文章对模拟环境下间隔学习对临床技能习得与保持的影响研究进展进行综述:首先,阐述间隔学习可能的机制;然后,揭示间隔学习在国内外模拟教育的应用现状。文章指出间隔学习在临床技能教学实践中需要注意"加大临床投入,重视临床实践""深入理论基础,完善实证研究""基于我国现状,由浅入深探究"。     

视网膜大动脉瘤的多模态眼底影像和疾病 特征

目的：分析视网膜大动脉瘤（RAM）的多模态眼底影像学特点及疾病特征。方法：回顾性研究。连续 纳入2003年5月至2020年1月在北京协和医院眼科确诊的RAM患者57例（58眼）。分析患者彩色眼底 照相、荧光素血管造影（FFA）、吲哚菁绿血管造影（ICGA）及光学相干断层扫描（OCT）的影像学特点， 并总结疾病特征。结果：纳入患者年龄为（69.0±9.3）岁，其中女性占75%，单眼发病患者占98%， 共发现瘤体65个。彩色眼底照示95%的瘤体位于颞侧动脉，32%位于动脉主干，29%位于视网膜动 脉分支处或动静脉交叉处。85%伴不同程度出血，86%伴硬性渗出。FFA的瘤体检出率为92%，动脉 期可呈圆点状或梭状强荧光，周围出血或硬性渗出遮蔽荧光，晚期荧光增强并出现渗漏。ICGA的瘤 体检出率为95%，可透过出血的遮蔽荧光见视网膜动脉壁上瘤体高荧光，造影晚期瘤体荧光仍较背 景荧光强。OCT的瘤体检出率为63%，可见RAM局部高隆起，病灶处可见圆形强反射瘤体腔壁。结论： RAM常见于老年女性。多模态影像学检查可从多角度显示RAM的瘤体形态、活动性以及伴随的出 血、渗出表现。其中，ICGA对于瘤体的检出率更高，显示RAM更为清晰。