subject: A Look Inside The Exciting World Of Diagnostic Medical Sonography [print this page] Do you find medicine and medical procedures fascinating? If you do, you might be interested in a career in diagnostic medical sonography. By getting quality training in this field you are preparing to become a critical part of diagnostic medicine. The training you receive from a diagnostic medical sonography program will prepare you to perform the many different roles and tasks that your career will require. If you are unsure of exactly what this career entails, you may be surprised to learn that they help with performing and interpreting results of ultrasound testing. Ultrasonography is being used to diagnose and monitor an increasing number of different health conditions. Many people are familiar with the ultrasounds which are performed as part of routine obstetrical care, but did you know that you may also deal with general abdominal ultrasonography? One of the reasons why ultrasonography is becoming so popular is that it is less invasive than radiological diagnostic procedures. They do not emit harmful radiation like an x-ray does and so it can be performed safely on a wider range of patients than x-rays can be. Often, a diagnostic medical sonographer will be employed in the imaging centers of hospitals and clinics. They are also frequently employed to perform in-office ultrasounds in doctors offices across the country. A qualified technician must be able to interpret test results and communicate them to other members of the health care team, so a great deal of medical knowledge is required. Because of the advancements in ultrasonography, the job prospects for qualified diagnostic medical sonography technicians is quite excellent. There are new forms of ultrasound being developed that will help diagnose many different conditions through the use of three dimensional ultrasonography. This has applications for both obstetrics and ophthalmology as well and a good training program will introduce their students to these areas in order to fully prepare them for their upcoming career. A good diagnostic medical sonography program will provide both theoretical and practical training. You will be required to have an excellent working knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology so that you can interpret test results and communicate them properly to the treating physician. You should also have access to training in cross-sectional anatomy as well. Depending on where you receive your training, you may require a university degree in order to enter the training program. You will also need to write a qualification exam in order to get your certification to be allowed to practice legally.
