The Future of Ultrasound, and You!

There are times when technology seems to advance behind the scenes and then *Poof* dramatic shifts occur that alter the course of the way we see and achieve, and in that we are catapulted to a whole new level of success. In the world of medical technology, ultrasound is that profound catalyst and many of us on the outside are still unaware of how powerful this method truly is.

This will inevitably change in the years to come.

Diagnostic ultrasound or sonography, the use of high-frequency soundwaves to see and record images within the body, is transforming the way we care for patients, and how quickly and efficiently we diagnose and treat. It is saving lives every single day, here and abroad, and there are a number of reasons why.

Why Diagnostic Medical Sonography is Transforming Healthcare

• Noninvasive and Safe – It uses soundwaves and not dangerous radiation, and can be used multiple times without harming the patient – this makes it ideal for monitoring treatment response and health over time.
• Info in Real-Time – There is basically no lag time, so it can be used to guide surgery and view progress, or issues that may arise, quickly.
• Inexpensive and Accessible – Unlike its counterparts (CT scan, MRI and X-Ray), ultrasound is relatively low cost, takes up less space and can be made portable and thus has the potential to affect the lives of millions of patients here and across the world. Many decades of ultrasound research and development have greatly reduced cost, reduced size and enhanced image quality.
• Recognition and Training – Healthcare providers and educators are understanding the potential of ultrasound and it is changing the way we provide and receive care. “Ultrasound is transforming the way emergency medicine is practiced in Canada,” says Dr. Ross. “What makes the Canadian experience unique is the rigorously high standard with which ultrasound education has been disseminated across the country.”
• And this is just the beginning …

The Future of Ultrasound

Advancements in diagnostic ultrasound are shaping a new future for patients and for healthcare and the way doctors diagnose, treat and monitor care. Coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is extraordinary to consider the possibilities. There are exciting elements that have been introduced and that will continue to be built upon as technology continues to evolve. Here are a few key areas to understand and to keep an eye on for the future.

• Results at the Point of Care – Patients can now receive more “expedient and life-saving care [due to the fact that it can be] performed at the bedside – performed, visualized on a screen, interpreted and then integrated at the time of patient care.” says Resa Lewiss, Director of Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “This is a safe, game-changing technology for everyday care.” And as technology continues to advance, ultrasound machines will become even smaller, lighter and easier to use.
• Focused Ultrasound – Enabling “access to the brain, to tumors, to blood clots and to other areas of the body with extreme precision and accuracy but without harming healthy tissue.”
• Intra-Operative Visualisation – “Miniaturised ultrasound probes could potentially be incorporated into surgical tools facilitating visualisation of structures within the surgical site during surgery.”
• Portable Devices – “…The future lies in personalised ultrasound,” says Professor Joseph Osterwalder, Medical Director of the Cantonal Hospital in Appenzell, Switzerland. “This means a doctor carries his/her own ultrasound scanner in their coat pocket. ‘Ultrasound will take over from the stethoscope,’ he is convinced.”
• Lung Infection Detection – COVID-19 has shown that there is a need for rapid assessment of issues with the lungs and while ultrasound will relay that there is a problem, it is not specific enough. This is where studies and medical science are focused now and undoubtedly where advancements will be made, and quickly.
• Immunotherapy-Based Cancer Treatment – With ultrasound being noninvasive, unlike the radiation treatment being used for so many cancer patients, and with it having no negative side effects, advancement in this use could be extraordinary.
• Bone Healing and Joint Therapy – Studies have shown an acceleration in healing using Ultrasound; a thrilling prospect for patients that could potentially change the way noninvasive surgery and treatments are done.

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With these advancements, there lies an opportunity and a real and growing need for ultrasound technologists/sonographers to be trained, now. If you would like to learn more about how you can embark on an exciting and rewarding career as a diagnostic medical sonographer, contact us today to book an express appointment with one of our Admissions Advisors.

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program at Anderson College
• Ultrasound can save lives • healthcare-in-europe.com
• What’s New in Ultrasound Tech – 2021 Edition (cassling.com)
• The Future, High-Tech Impacts of Ultrasound in Health Care – On Medicine (biomedcentral.com)
• How Advancements in Ultrasound Revolutionized Healthcare | Medgadget
• The Future of Ultrasound in Medical Devices | Team Consulting (team-consulting.com)
• Emergency department ultrasounds: saving time and lives – Hospital News
• This Technology Is Going to Change Healthcare – Focused Ultrasound Foundation (fusfoundation.org)
• Anderson College Announces Launch of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program (newswire.ca)
• 5 Brilliant Reasons to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (DMS)
• Ultrasound Saves Lives and So Can You!