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Sonographers’ perspectives on research – A worldwide online questionnaire study
Sonographers’ perspectives on research – A worldwide online questionnaire study
Reviewer: Assoc Prof Tristan Reddan, FASA | ASA SIG: Research
Authors: Pedersen MRV, Kraus B, Santos R, Harrison G
Why the study was performed
The study aimed to understand sonographers’ perspectives on research. The authors recognised sonographers’ important role in research translation and implementation into clinical practice, which leads to improved patient outcomes.
How the study was performed
A cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed via social media and research networks that the authors were involved with, over two months in 2023. After piloting with seven European sonographers in 2022, the final survey contained 21 open and closed questions. Sonographers worldwide were able to participate.
What the study found
Responses from 165 sonographers were mostly from Europe (66.1%), Africa (13.3%), and Oceania (11.5%) (Figure 1). Only 32% of respondents had performed research, while 68.5% desired more involvement. Reported research experience mostly involved the conduct of clinical examinations (42.2%) for studies. Most reported prior involvement was in quantitative studies (34.4%), while investigations into the safety of ultrasound were the lowest (10.3%). The largest proportion of respondents were from large hospitals (43.3%) with varied lengths of experience. Nearly 35% identified as sonographers despite the title not being protected in their country, some were classified as ultrasound-reporting radiographers. Most respondents hadn’t published (55.9%), though some had submitted to peer-reviewed journals (31.5%) or presented at conferences (28.7%), or locally (25.9%). Lack of time (43%), funding (30.3%), administrative (26.7%) and management (21.8%) support were the most reported barriers to participation. The top motivators for better engagement included opportunities to tackle identified problems (65.5%), develop new skills (61.2%), improve job satisfaction (59.4%), and face an intellectual challenge (57.0%).
Relevance to clinical practice
The findings align with existing literature on sonographers’ attitudes towards research,[1] identifying an underlying interest but lack of experience in research among sonographers. Sonographers have a responsibility to engage with research to improve the practice, and it is also important for workplaces to value a research-driven culture to help overcome some of those identified barriers like administrative or management support. It is often curious sonographers who view research as a means to overcome a problem or implement an improvement who will gravitate towards research.
The relatively small response size of the study limits generalisability, particularly here in Oceania. There are valuable points discussed that can help us better understand some of the perceived barriers and enablers to research for sonographers that may help influence workplace culture and future policy direction.
McLean G, Lewis A. Building research capacity in ultrasound departments. Sonography. 2024 Sept 9;11(3): 287–9.
There are valuable points discussed which can help us better understand some of the perceived barriers and enablers to research for sonographers, that may help influence workplace culture, and future policy direction
