Is there a place for the X-ray technician in echographic diagnostics in Bulgaria?

Abstract

Ultrasound diagnostics is an imaging method used to prove a number of diseases. In some areas of medicine it is even a basic diagnostic method. More well-trained specialists in this area, who make the best use of the echography equipment, are needed to provide more access to it for patients. The aim of this article is to present the medical professional`s opinion whether it is possible and useful for an X-ray technician to perform technical ultrasound examinations. Documentary, sociological and statistical methods are used. Sources on this topic are investigated. Through this survey, using our own direct anonymous questionnaire, the opinion of 93 specialists: 34 doctors, 48 X-ray technicians and 11 nurses and other medical staff, is obtained. Mathematical and statistical data processing has been done and the results are presented graphically. As a result of the study we found that most of the doctors and X-ray technicians did not consider that the X-ray technician may conduct an ultrasound examination. The trend is the same also in the answers of the questions: `Is it useful for the doctor the ultrasound examination to be carried out by an X-ray technician?` and `Is the X-ray technician prepared enough to perform an ultrasound examination?` According to almost 53% of the doctors and 64.58% of the laboratory workers, the X-ray technician will be able to perform the examination after further training. The group of nurses and other medical staff respond rather positively to all the asked questions. The recommendations for further training are: practical training in that area under the supervision of a specialist, competences regarding the capabilities of the ultrasound technique, specialization, algorithm for performing the research. Based on the results obtained, the answer to the asked question: `Is there a place for the X-ray technician in the echographic diagnostis in our country?` is a clear - `No`.