The main research question of this thesis can be formulated as follows:
What are the communicative trajectories of foetal wellbeing assessments using expert ultrasound technology during routine antenatal encounters between sonographers and pregnant women?
This can be subdivided further as follows:
1. What are the features of sonographers’ communication during the first stage/booking encounter (first trimester) and the normality scan encounter (second trimester) in terms of structural, interactional and thematic organisation (see Chapter 4)?
2. What communicative strategies do sonographers draw upon to offer reassurance to pregnant women during the first stage/booking encounter (see Chapter 5)?
3. How are reassurances of normal foetal features communicated by sonographers to pregnant women during the 20-week gestation stage (see Chapter 6)?
4. How do sonographers provide explanations about risk and uncertainty and respond to questions raised by pregnant women during the ultrasound scan encounters (see Chapter 7)?1.4 Overview of chapters
The rest of this chapter provides an outline (context and scene setting) of the research area that is followed by a background of the U.K. maternity care provision. The literature looks at the experiences of pregnant women, the advancements in ultrasound technology and the professional role of sonographers.
Chapter 2 will draw on the sociological notions of normality, risk, uncertainty and reassurance within biomedicine. I argue that a societal emphasis on foetal development and a healthy baby have embraced the medicalisation of pregnancy using technological advancements. These prenatal screening processes have opened differing opinions relating to ‘quality control’, authoritativ...
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...nd 9 include two entire case studies, which are contrastive to demonstrate the strategic approach used by the sonographer to give information about a scan finding, are shown. In chapter 9, a shorter extract from a 3/4D video-recorded ultrasound scan encounter will show a pregnant woman raising a specific topic, thereby voicing her concerns and seeking reassurance. The case studies include non-verbal elements noted during the scan as the pregnant woman views the image of her foetus and closely follows the sonographer’s comments about the image.
Chapter 10 draws conclusions and summarises the main analytical findings of this study, its limitations and future directions for research. The research questions are considered systematically in order to explain how sonographers provide information to reassure parents about foetal wellbeing, normality and abnormality.
Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through the use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in the diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies and is provided by obstetric and gynecologic sonographers, who also provide imaging of the female reproductive system. Other types of sonography include; abdominal sonography, breast sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, neurosonography and cardiovascular sonography. Due to the vast nature of uses in sonography, most professionals study one field that they choose to specialize in. Diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing field because of the increase in medical advances. The area of Cleveland, Ohio has continued to rise in the medical field with great strides, providing better career prospects with the availability of numerous employment positions.
Do diagnostic Medical Sonographers actually help begin a new life? Yes, according to researchers they do help patients indicate any problems that there may be and what may be expected. This essay will talk about Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and everything it takes to become one and how to become successful as well as why they are important to our global community. Sonographer’s are also known as ultrasound Technicians, they are very important in the medical field because they help patients and physicians diagnose and treat diseases as well as other medical information. The following paragraphs will talk about the information of the Salary and also the Job Responsibilities. With the technicians continuously providing
I’m very interested in going to school and studying to be an ultrasound technician. This position varies depending on what location you work at. In a hospital setting it can vary anywhere from looking at the stomach,heart,liver,joints,muscles,tendons and blood vessels. How the ultrasound machine (sonogram) works is it’s high rate sound waves to detect what’s going on in the body, not only on humans but a lot of different living organisms depending on the situations.
Saunders (2012) states that the treatment of a breech delivery requires the paramedic team to work simultaneously and efficiently to perform several interventions. He states that the paramedic team should undertake a primary survey and introduce themselves to the patient on arrival. From the initial patient contact, the paramedics should begin providing reassurance to the patient and their family, both verbally and non-verbally (Saunders, 2012). Reassurance aims to reduce patient anxiety, create a rapport with the patient and encourage an environment of care, respect and understanding (Pincus et al., 2013). The paramedic team should complete a secondary survey, including vital signs and a complete patient history, particularly pregnancy relevant
Ultrasound Technicians are very valuable in the world of health care. Also known as Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, an Ultrasound Technician uses special machines and equipment that operates on sound waves to determine or diagnose medical problems for patients. There are specializations within this field in which some individuals explore. For instance, areas of specialization includes but not limited to; pregnancy, heart health, gynecology, and abdominal sonography. Although each specializing branch has its own distinctive function, they all involve probing the body to facilitate doctors with diagnoses.
Qualitative research is regarded as an inductive process, which within natural settings attempts to produce insights on the subjective experiences, meanings, practices and point of views of those involved (Craig & Smyth, 2007). The aim here was to investigate factors influencing the communication styles used by the radiographers, therefore, allowing a better understanding to patient-centred care within diagnostic radiography.
Look back: During my third week clinical experience, I did both computer charting and paper charting (for maternal assessment) with nursing care plan. Besides charting, I reported my significant findings of the mother verbally to the primary nurse.
They usually work a regular 40-hour week, and some can work overtime. Techs who work for a medical lab that serves in-home clients may also have to travel to perform certain duties for work. Sonographers spend much of their day moving around from room to room in a medical setting or in various patient care settings. They usually wear scrubs and tennis shoes because of the environment they are in. They spend much of the typical day on their feet. Techs also commonly have to lift or move the imaging equipment themselves or with other care providers. Ultrasounds are often completed in dim or darkly-lit rooms to allow for easier on-screen visibility of images. While techs often get to share in the joy of pregnancy when completing ultrasounds, they also periodically experience the stress of patients and family members struggling with health
The current demand is high for sonographers throughout the United States and abroad. It has been shown that the demand for sonographers will continue to increase well into the future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment in the field of Medical Sonography is predicted to grow 45.5% between 2010 and 2020. The growth is among the fastest rates in all healthcare jobs. As a result, as the demand grows for sonographers, so will the salaries (BLS). The attractive salaries and flexible work hours, as well as the diversity of options available and the lack of geographical limitations on employment opportunities, make Ultrasound an attractive career field (BLS). Most employers prefer to hire diagnostic imaging workers with professional certification. Also many insurance providers and Medicare pay for procedures, but only if certified. According to the BLS, Medical Sonography is on its list of the best jobs of 2013. Medical Sonographers can get promoted by certifying in more than one area in ultrasound or having more work of experience being promoted to a supervisor. Anywhere you go this job has a high demand and a fast rate. Due to population hospitals, facilities, or offices will always need medical
As an ultrasound technician/sonographer I will have the ability to see dangerous defects within the human anatomy and begin a lifelong profession with many benefits. The Ultrasound was first invented in the early 1900’s and was surprisingly not used to produce photos of a fetus. In 1917 Paul Langen a marine life scientist used a form of ultrasound equipment in his attempt to detect submarines. After many failed attempts at using high frequency sound waves Dr. Ian Donald and his team in Glasgow, Scotland invented the first ultrasound machine in 1957. Dr. Donald even tested his machine on patients within a year of completing the invention, by the late 1950’s ultrasounds became routine in Glasgow hospitals.
I am a registered staff nurse who prior to commencing my midwifery training was working on a surgical ward facilitating pre and postoperative care for critically and chronically ill patients. I was fortunate that during my nursing training I had an opportunity to be assigned practice placement with the community midwives and visit the labour ward. After this learning experience I was able to make a decision to undertake midwifery training after completing the required period of post registration experience. While with the community midwife I attended antenatal clinics where I practiced midwifery skills, namely palpation and auscultation with a Pinard’s stethoscope and enhanced my communication skills. Unfortunately I was unable to hear anything through a Pinard’s stethoscope and so when I made a decision to pursue midwifery tr...
During the endoscopy procedure to determine the stage of her cancer, she said it was the sonographer who made her feel calm and treated her with dignity. Even though the ultrasound tech did not understand her language, it did not stop her from showing compassion to her patient. So it was that great care and sense of compassion that made me greatly appreciate what sonographers do for their patients. This is a field that is constantly changing and there are always ways to improve. There is always new technologies coming out and ways to improve as person that will help you deliver the best care for your patients. Seeing the important role that sonographers play in the medical field made me realize that becoming a sonographer would be fulfilling profession for me that would absolutely fit my
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve always known that I wanted to be in a career that involved helping people. I believe that entering a career as a Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician will help me fulfill my desire to help others. I have come to realize the great importance that early detection plays in the medical field. Early detection is key to fixing a problem before it gets worse.It would be extremely fulfilling to have a career that may potentially stop a small health issue from becoming a life-threatening illness. Being an Ultrasound Technician and performing diagnostic sonograms will help me to detect any medical issues a patient might be unaware of so that a physician can properly diagnose and treat the patient early and effectively.
All mothers, especially first time mothers need help moral support and advice during the first few days after their delivery to ensure proper care of their newborn. The care and help given to first time mothers is of utmost important during this period as to maintain the normality in their babies as well as to prevent any further complications. Typically all pregnant women are counseled during their antenatal period on how to prepare themselves mentally on the care of their babies after birth. Upon delivery, majority of the mothers would stay for a short period in the hospital. During this short stay, they would need time to recuperate, need to know what care to give their baby and how to carry out the care and also learn what to do if their baby is feeling unwell. Thus it is important for health care providers to assist first time mothers be it at the hospital or at home since it is a crucial period for them and they often requires more help and moral support especially when it comes to the proper care of their newborn. ("Routine care of a newborn baby")
Initially, my area of interest was directed towards diagnostic sonography, however, this area of study was not