About Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

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By Jessica Mousseau
eHow Contributing Writer

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Diagnostic medical sonographer professionals are trained to operate ultrasonic imaging devices for medical purposes. These experts use the ultrasonic devices to produce images, scans, videos or 3D displays of anatomy and diagnostic information. They are highly-trained in operating ultrasonic imaging equipment and are educated in how to view, capture, analyze and modify the scanning procedure to optimize the image's potential information for diagnostic purposes.

History

Dr. George Ludwig performed the first ultrasound on the human body (for medical purposes) in the late 1940s. It was done at the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and opened a gate of opportunity within the world of medical sonography. The development of the color Doppler ultrasound by Geoff Stevenson a few years later greatly led to progression in ultrasonic medicine.

Function

When a doctor needs a non-invasive way of looking at a specific area of the internal body, the physician sends the patient to a diagnostic medical sonographer. Thus, diagnostic medical sonographers are required to have knowledge in many areas of the body. In fact, they must be educated in advanced human anatomy and physiology. They may be required to take scans of various body parts, within any given day. The images captured by diagnostic medical sonographers can help doctors in diagnosing and treating hundreds of illnesses and diseases.

Types

While some diagnostic medical sonographers work with only one type of specialty doctor, others are general sonographers. General sonographers most often work in the emergency areas of a hospital or clinic. However, diagnostic medical sonographers can specialize in cardiac, obstetrical, vascular sonography or other in areas. The seriousness of the sonographer's job is high. Doctors are often looking for something serious when they order a sonographer's services (blood clots, cancer, or cysts).

Features

Another term for a diagnostic medical sonographer is an Ultrasound Technologist. In other areas of the world they are simply called sonographers. However, the job description is largely the same and all are required to be educated in cross sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology, communication and psycho-motor skill areas.

Considerations

The job of being a diagnostic medical sonographer is most often safe. However, nearly 82% will develop some sort of repetitive motion injury (like carpal tunnel) from their job. The injury is most often due to the constant pressure and movement of the transducer to obtain sonographic images. In addition, there is no known risk of being around ultrasonic equipment much like there is with other radiology equipment (x-rays).