Sonography equipment is a unique diagnostic tool. It combines high tech, computer-driven equipment that requires accomplished skill of the user, the sonographer. It is this inextricable link between man and machine that is very crucial to good image quality and ultimately, proper diagnosis. As the skill and understanding of the sonographer increases, so does the accuracy. Sonography professionals contend that is the operator dependency of sonography that constitutes its quality.
There exists a strong public misconception that using sonography equipment is is as simple as it looks: waving a wand over the skin to automatically produce an image. Sonographers must advocate and adhere to an important professional attitude: education, experience, and credentialing emphasize the use of scientific knowledge, along with clinical practice to produce high-quality exams.
For the sonographer, mastering of the equipment is essential. This starts with an intimate understanding of the physical laws and principles that govern sound wave propagation in human tissue. Sonographers also have the privilege to offer an important medical exam while simultaneously maintaining the passionate, physical touch of human care.