Ultrasound Career Structure and Education : a Time for Change

Background: In 2011 the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) undertook a survey of Ultrasound Departments in the United Kingdom (UK) to ascertain the current state of the workforce with a focus on staffing and vacancy levels. The study found there was a 10.9% Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) vacancy rate (SCoR 2011); current studies through the Health Education East Midlands sonography workforce project (2015) have found the WTE vacancy rate as high as 17%. The workforce issue in ultrasound is not a new problem; the British Medical Ultrasound Society’s (BMUS) “Extending the Provision of Ultrasound services in the UK’ (2003) highlighted that ultrasound training was failing to keep up with the service demand for, and natural wastage of, sonographers. It is therefore evident that a solution to the workforce dilemma is long overdue to secure the future of ultrasound services Purpose: The study aimed to explore sonographer opinion on the feasibility of a clinical competence framework that included bands 5 to 8 sonographer practitioners. Methodology: A qualitative study was undertaken using semi-structured interviews. A purposive sample population from a wide professional and geographical demographic was included in the study. Thematic analysis was undertaken using NVIVO. Findings: Data illustrated themes such as power, professional protectionism, managing change and sonographer education but failed to identify clinical competences for band 5 and 6 sonographers. Conclusion: The research suggests that a professional resistance to engage with the concept of a band 5 and 6 sonographer persist. This resistance is routed in the fear and anxiety of the unknown. A microcosm of power within Sonography exists which inhibits any move to address the unsustainable career and education philosophy that exists today.