October 2023 is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month! This month-long campaign allows us to celebrate the exceptional contributions of medical sonography to modern medicine. MUAM is your time to shine!
As ultrasound’s role in medicine continues to expand, the primary goal of this campaign is to enhance public understanding of ultrasound, its various healthcare applications, and to assist in finding the best ultrasound practitioners and resources.
We invite you to share your story about how ultrasound has impacted your life or why you chose sonography as a career. Contact us to learn more.
The SDMS’ 2023 MUAM theme is “Images from the Inside Out.” Visit the SDMS MUAM webpage to learn more.
What is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month?
The purpose of MUAM is to encourage the public to learn more about ultrasound and its growing recognition as a vital medical tool.
Six ultrasound organizations—the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU), and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)—unite every year to sponsor Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month (MUAM).
Medical ultrasound and point-of-care ultrasound are revolutionizing how medical teams diagnose and treat patients, extending far beyond sonograms. Our mission is to highlight the significance of sonography and promote it as both an educational path and a career choice, recognizing that it encompasses more than just a profession.
“While many people are familiar with the use of medical ultrasound during pregnancy, it’s essential to note that ultrasound can be employed throughout all stages of life and for various medical indications.” ~ American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month is also a time for ultrasound technicians and sonographers to celebrate their field of work.
If you are an ultrasound professional, here are some ideas for Ultrasound Awareness Month activities you can participate in during October or any time of the year.
How Can Sonographers Participate in MUAM?
– Educate your patients.
Many of the participating ultrasound organizations provide resources to help you educate your patients. For example, you can access FAQs, fact sheets, and ultrasound term glossaries on the ARDMS and AIUM websites.
The ASE’s website has printable patient guides specific to heart and vascular ultrasound (the ASE also recommends referring patients to SeeMyHeart.org.).
You might like to create customized brochures or handouts for your patients, as well as aspiring sonographers and other healthcare staff.
– Open up a dialogue with your patients.
You might initiate a conversation with a patient like this: “It’s Ultrasound Awareness Month, and I’m making an effort to raise awareness. Do you have any questions about your procedure or other aspects of ultrasound?”
– Share an informative video over social media or with your friends.
The SDMS has produced a great video, “Why Sonographers Do What They Do,” which includes real-life examples of people whose lives have been improved or extended because of ultrasound.
– Talk about certification.
Talk to your patients about the importance of ultrasound certification and your own credentials. Encourage colleagues and students to pursue certification, and consider mentoring emerging sonographers in your career.
– Display ultrasound pride.
Several ultrasound organizations offer images for you to display and build awareness. For example, the SDMS provides logos that you can download as desktop wallpaper, and the SVU offers Facebook and Twitter covers.
– Talk to the media.
The SVU recommends reaching out to local media outlets (print, radio, TV, online) to run spotlight ads about Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month and the importance of sonography. The SVU has a sample press release on their website that you can use as a basis when suggesting the story to them.
– Have some fun!
There are numerous enjoyable activities you can organize in the workplace, such as hosting a potluck or night out for colleagues, conducting an ultrasound trivia game with prizes for patients and other medical departments, or even an open house event.
Learn More
We invite you to join UltrasoundSchoolsInfo.com this October in promoting Medical Ultrasound Awareness by learning more about the critical role that ultrasound plays in today’s healthcare.
If you are interested in pursuing an education or career in medical ultrasound, UltrasoundSchoolsInfo.com provides a resource for researching the field. Our goal is to gather information and data from trusted and authoritative sources and compile them in an interesting and easy-to-understand format.
We aim to provide insights into the many ultrasound career options, including job descriptions, specializations, salary data, job growth, and degree options. Additionally, we provide information on campus-based and online schools offering medical sonography and imaging programs. Visit our degree center to learn more.
Wendy Fanello
wendy@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com
