• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2011

Objectives: The objective of the current study is to determine whether an ultrasound device system is adequate for measuring distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver. Methods: We recruited 3 healthy young male subjects and 2 sonographers. The each sonographer measured vertical shortest distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver with a ultrasound device with three methods of 3.5 MHz convex probe and gel, 9 MHz linear probe and gel, and 9 MHz linear probe and solid gel pad, three times in random order. Because the total variation could be divided into repeatability, reproducibility and subject-to-subject variation in Gage R&R method, we compared the sources of variation associated with the measurement system with an analysis of variance model. Results & Conclusions: Number of distinct categories is calculated on the basis of standard deviation of subject-to-subject divided by standard deviation of total Gage R&R. If the number of categories is five or more, the measurement system may be acceptable for the analysis of the process. The number of distinct categories of the ultrasound device system for measuring distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver were 9.20 (9 MHz linear probe and gel), 14.70 (9 MHz linear probe and solid gel pad). So we concluded that repeatabilities and reproducibilities of the ultrasound device system for measuring distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver with the methods of 9 MHz linear probe and gel, and 9 MHz linear probe and solid gel pad were acceptable.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4377-4380
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• 2016

Background: To compare diagnostic performance in differentiating benign from malignant ovarian masses between IOTA (the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis) simple rules and subjective sonographic assessment. Materials and Methods: Women scheduled for elective surgery because of ovarian masses were recruited into the study and underwent ultrasound examination within 24 hours of surgery to apply the IOTA simple rules by general gynecologists and to record video clips for subjective assessment by an experienced sonographer. The diagnostic performance of the IOTA rules and subjective assessment for differentiation between benign and malignant masses was compared. The gold standard diagnosis was pathological or operative findings. Results: A total of 150 ovarian masses were covered, comprising 105 (70%) benign and 45 (30%) malignant. Of them, the IOTA simple rules could be applied in 119 (79.3%) and were inconclusive in 31 (20.7%) whereas subjective assessment could be applied in all cases (100%). The sensitivity and the specificity of the IOTA simple rules and subjective assessment were not significantly different, 82.9% vs 86.7% and 94.0% vs 94.3% respectively. The agreement of the two methods in prediction was high with a Kappa index of 0.835. Conclusions: Both techniques had a high diagnostic performance in differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses but the IOTA rules had a relatively high rate of inconclusive results. The IOTA rules can be used as an effective screening technique by general gynecologists but when the results are inconclusive they should consult experienced sonographers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5409-5413
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• 2013

Background: To assess the accuracy of ultrasound in differentiating endometrioma from ovarian cancer and to describe pattern recognition for atypical endometriomas mimicking ovarian cancers. Materials and Methods: Patients scheduled for elective surgery for adnexal masses were sonographically evaluated for endometrioma within 24 hours of surgery. All examinations were performed by the same experienced sonographer, who had no any information of the patients, to differentiate between endometriomas and non-endometriomas using a simple rule (classic ground-glass appearance) and subjective impression (pattern recognition). The final diagnosis as a gold standard relied on either pathological or post-operative findings. Results: Of 638 patients available for analysis, 146 were proven to be endometriomas. Of them, the simple rule and subjective impression could sonographically detect endometriomas with sensitivities of 64.4% (94/146) and 89.7% (131/146), respectively. Of 52 endometriomas with false negative tests by the simple rule, 13 were predicted as benign masses and 39 were mistaken for malignancy. Solid masses and papillary projections were the most common forms mimicking ovarian cancer, consisting of 38.5% of the missed diagnoses. However, with pattern recognition (subjective impression), 32 from 39 cases mimicking ovarian cancer were correctly predicted for endometriomas. All endometriomas subjectively predicted for ovarian malignancy were associated with high vascularization in the solid masses. Conclusions: Pattern recognition of endometriomas by subjective assessment had a higher sensitivity than the simple rule in characterization of endometriomas. Most endometriomas mimicking ovarian malignancy could be correctly predicted by subjective impression based on familiarity of pattern recognition.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.485-491
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop a method to improve the job satisfaction of sonograpers by analyzing the factors affecting professional self-concept and job satisfaction. For data collection, total 141 sonographers working in Busan took part in the structured questionnaire survey. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS. For verification of the professional self-concept and job satisfaction, independent t-test and one way ANOVA were executed. When the statistical significance was verified, Sheffe was used for post hoc test. As a result, professional self-concept and job satisfaction were higher when got married, and also when a proper salary was paid according to work experience and professional qualification was acquired. In addition, the factors that have the greatest effect on the job satisfaction were analyzed as professional self concept. In conclusion, in order to improve the job satisfaction of sonographers, it is necessary not only to establish a professional qualification system for the job skill development but also to provide an appropriate compensation system according to work experience.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.281-288
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• 2020

This study was intented as an investigation of the employment process into UAE for Korean and overseas sonographers to understand requirements for working abroad in regards to primary education curriculum and employment expansion abroad. A total of 10 candidates are selected who were working together with a job title of a cardiac sonographer in the same department under one hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The candidates had clinical experience over 2 years in other countries after graduation and for 1 year at least in UAE. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, a web search and literature reviews. We analyzed the process regarding their curriculums studying in colleges, educational courses and certificates related medical fields. The findings were created with four essential themes: first, there are specific colleges or diploma courses corresponding academic major in United states, Portugal, Turkey, India and Pakistan. Secondly, healthcare professions were systemized by certifying as a specialist relevant medical fields. Thirdly, it is mandatory to be employed in UAE that are clinical experience for 2 years at least after graduation of specific courses. Lastly, It is required to work in UAE that is a license of healthcare authority under each state by taking a national examination or transferring own certificates to a current license in UAE. In conclusion, the results indicate that employing process for healthcare professionals depends on the educational requirements or clinical experience accumulated due to the various systems to be certified in each country. We believe that this study suggests experimental information for Korean job seekers considering working abroad in the medical ultrasound fields.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.326-333
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• 2018

Background: Echocardiography involves strenuous postures of the upper limbs. This study explored the physical workload in the neck and upper limbs in sonographers performing echocardiography, and the extent to which the workload differs from than in other work tasks (other sonographic examinations, and nonsonographic tasks). Methods: The physical load was assessed by inclinometry, goniometry, and electromyography methods in 33 female sonographers during authentic work using three different echocardiography techniques and other work tasks. Results: Echocardiography was characterized by low velocities of the head, arms, and wrists, and a low proportion of muscular resting time in the forearms, in the transducer limb, and the computer limb. The transducer limb was more elevated in one of the techniques, but this technique also involved a higher proportion of muscular resting time of the trapezius muscle. We also found a high proportion of awkward wrist postures in the transducer wrist in all three techniques; in one due to prolonged flexion, and in the others due to prolonged extension. Other work tasks were less static, and were performed with higher upper arm and wrist velocities. Conclusion: None of the three echocardiography techniques was optimal concerning physical workload. Thus, to achieve more variation in physical load we recommend that the equipment be arranged so that the sonographer can alternate between two different techniques during the workday. We also propose alternation between echocardiography and nonsonographic tasks, in order to introduce variation in the physical workload. Clinical expertise should be used to achieve further improvements.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare the demographic and job characteristics and job satisfaction of sonographers (SONO) and radiological technologists (RT). The subjects were a total of 148 people (69 SONO, 79 RT), who had been working in clinical and hospitals. The method was conducted using a questionnaire with a total of 54 questions consisting of demographic characteristics, job characteristics, and job satisfaction. Reliability was secured with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.6 or higher for the response of the questionnaire. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics, cross-analysis, independent sample T-test, and correlation analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's correlation coefficient were performed for each occupation. As a result, first, the SONO had more female workers than RT. They are more than three times as many in graduate school and above. Second, the SONO had 4.5 times more morning shift than the RT and no form of weekend shift. Third, the average monthly salary of the SONO is higher than that of the RT, but when a certain portion of the salary goes up, the salary no longer goes up. Fourth, satisfaction with expectations, growth desire, positive mentality, growth opportunity, job importance, organizational attachment was higher SONO than the RT, but self-efficacy was higher in RT than SONO. Last, SONO had higher educational background than RT. It is hoped that the results of this study will be able to understand the job characteristics of SONO and RT and identify the factors of job satisfaction and provide them as fundamental materials for job selection.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2007

There are the Medical Radiation Health and Safety Act(the Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act, the Radiologic Technologist Act), the Medical Laboratory Technologist Act, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, and the Dental Hygienist Act, etc in America. However, Korea has only one Act for a medical radiologic technologist(including radiation therapy technologist, nuclear medicine technologist), medical laboratory technologist, physical therapist, occupational therapy examiner, dental hygienist, and so on. It is the Medical Technologist Act. Therefore, the Medical Radiation Health and Safety Act for a radiologic technologist(including radiation therapy technologist, nuclear medicine technologist) has to be enacted independently in Korea. It is the purpose of this Act to provide for the appropriate certification of persons using radioactive materials, equipment emitting ionizing radiation on humans or performing medical imaging for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In Korea, the radiologic technologist is a "fusion technologist" who is a person other than a licensed practitioner as a radiographer, radiation therapist, nuclear medicine technologist, computed tomography technologist, magnetic resonance technologist, mammographer, sonographer, medical dosimetrist, quality management technologist, etc. This Act will have some provisions related to the definitions, reserved title, scope of practice, specialized technologist, application for licensure, radiologic technology council, renewal, continuing education, the radiation control advisory commission, etc. This Act will ensure that quality radiation therapy treatments are delivered and that quality diagnostic information is presented for interpretation, which will lead to accurate diagnosis, treatment and cure. Accurate diagnosis can be provided only when a personnel is properly educated in technique, equipment operation and radiation safety. In the end, this Act will protect the civil right to health. By regulating the personnel responsible for performing those procedures, this Act will mean improved care for patients-higher quality images, improved accuracy, and less exposure to radiation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.649-660
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• 2022

In 1959, Satomura used spectral Doppler ultrasound to express the velocity of red blood cells according to time change, and Kato defined a zero-base line that could tell the direction of blood flow, making it possible to know the direction of blood flow. This became the basis for the widely used classifications of Triphasic, Biphasic, and Monophasic. However, the above classification has limitations that confuse users with the meaning and timing of use in a clinical environment. As a result, the American Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM) and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) A consensus document on Doppler waveform analysis was declared by the joint committee. This study tried to review this consensus and to suggest nomenclature and modifiers that can be used in the domestic vascular ultrasound clinical field. The joint committee formed by SVM and SVU recommended that the use of the triphasic waveform and the biphasic waveform be used as a multiphasic waveform rather than being used due to the ambiguity of interpretation. In addition, it was agreed to name the hybrid-type waveform, which is a monophasic and high-resistance waveform, which has always been a problem of interpretation in a clinical environment, as an intermediate resistive waveform. In addition, in order to increase the communication efficiency between the interpreter and the sonographer, waveform analysis was classified into a main descriptor and a modifier, and it was recommended to use a single nomenclature by unifying various synonyms. It is expected that this literature review will provide accurate arterial spectral Doppler waveform interpretation and an agreed-upon nomenclature to radiologists performing vascular ultrasound examination in clinical practice, and will be utilized as basic data that can contribute to the improvement of public health.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2008

Setting parameters of Ultrasonic scanners influence the quality of ultrasonic images. In order to obtain optimized images sonographers need to understand the effects of the setting parameters on ultrasonic images. The present study considered typical four parameters including TGC (Time Gain Control), Gain, Frequency, DR (Dynamic Range). LCS (low contrast sensitivity) was chosen to quantitatively compare the quality of the images. In the present experiment LCS targets of a standard ultrasonic test phantom (539, ATS, USA) were imaged using a clinical ultrasonic scanner (SA-9000 PRIME, Medison, Korea). Altering the settings in the parameters of the ultrasonic scanner, 6 LCS target images (+15 dB, +6 dB, +3 dB, -3 dB, -6 dB, -15 dB) to each setting were obtained, and their LCS values were calculated. The results show that the mean pixel value (LCS) is the highest at the max setting in TGC, mid to max in gain and pen mode in frequency and 40-66 dB in DR. Among all images, the image being the highest in LCS was obtained at the setting of DR 40 dB. It is expected that the results will be of use in setting the parameters when ultrasonically examining masses often clinically found In either solid lesions (similar to +15, +6, +3 dB targets) or cystic lesions (similar to -15, -6, -3 dB targets).