Will AI Replace Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?

Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform legal and ethical duties, including preparing safety or accident reports, obtaining written consent from patient to perform invasive procedures, or reporting symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.