Innovative Approaches to Disease Diagnosis: A Comparative Study of UE and MRE

Ultrasound Elastography and Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Ultrasound Elastography(UE) and Magnetic Resonance Elastography(MRE) plays a critical role in the diagnosis of several diseases such as fibrosis, malignant breast tumours and benign conditions. UE has the edge over several examination technologies such as MRI as it has the potential of visualizing elasticity of tumours. This attribute makes it superior in the differentiation of benign condition cancerous or malignant breast tumours. MRE, on the other hand, is a novel diagnostic technology that is noninvasive and suitable for biopsy of liver for the staging hepatic fibrosis (Yin et al., 2014). However, its efficacy in the diagnosis of malignant breast tumours is yet to be established. Its application for determination for pathologies of major organs such as kidneys, heart, breast, blood vessels, skeletal muscles and brain are at an advanced stage. From several studies, MRE gives the impression that it would revolutionize the diagnostic processes due to a higher safety margin and reliability. It is more of a mechanical approach of diagnosis that enhances quantities assessing of the mechanical properties of body tissues, a feature that most of the examination technologies. Despite UE being adapted in the last few years it comparatively still have limited capability of assessing elastic modulus mechanical properties) that can only be examined by palpation or an automated procedure such as MRE. Though, it is imperative to comprehend that both MRE and UE uses similar application mechanics. They do not directly measure the stiffness of the tissues. However, they gauge the speed at which the shear waves propagate into the tissues or organs of interest. Another similarity of these two advanced elastography techniques is that they can measure tissue viscosity and attenuation of the shear wave. Most of the research studies recommend applying both MRE and UE for a desirable imaging diagnostic outcome.

Improving the patient’s experience in Imaging & Therapy Practice

There have been several concerns about the connection between diagnostic imaging and cancer recurrences. Multiple imaging if not controlled can result in mutations of DNA resulting in cancer recurrence or emergence. The situation is made complex in cases where ionized radiations with deep penetration need to be used to diagnose breast cancer in women and other malignant tumours (Jay, 2013). The explosion of the use of higher radiation doses examinations such as nuclear imaging and CT scans is raising more concern. The risks of cancer recurrence are much higher in children than adults. There is a need for imaging diagnostic experts to be more cautious and work along with oncologist to establish much safer diagnostic processes based on patient risks levels of cancer recurrence. The patients should be duly advised so to minimize anxiety and separate myths from facts since not all imaging diagnostic techniques are risky.

Mentoring: Key to successful transitions

The ever-changing changing clinical imaging practice requires frequent professional training to get acquainted with the changes. For instance, cancer diagnosis requires new approaches in diagnostic processes that are posing challenges to radiologists. There is a need for sharing of emerging information and evidence-based clinical results to identify the gaps in clinical radiology practice. New protocols are significant in being relevant in the novel collaborative paradigm, which places clinical radiology as an eminent diagnosis option in patient management (Moseley, 2018). The newly graduated clinical radiologists must be ready to learn from the experienced imaging experts and seek opportunities to share and advance their knowledge in workshops and other forums.

Reflecting On Experiences of the Work of a Sonographer

Sonographers role in the provision of an accurate diagnosis for timely patient management and care cannot be underestimated more so in busy hospital settings. Professionalism for sonographer demands better patient care, meaningful inter-clinical disciplinary relationship, exceptional clinical training program and ethical clinical decisions (Milanese & Grimmer, 2015). At the research and university teaching level, sonography experts help in improving scanning competency that focuses on improving clinical decision making (CDM) process.

Attaining the highest level of sonography competence can only be made possible by evidence-based training schedules, guidelines and clinical education manual. The training programs enhance cognitive processing of information for comprehensive evaluations for hypothesis generation, clinical examination and therapeutic decisions. The programs prominence is evaluation and adaption of sonographic modalities in clinical practice, research and education. The core of the training or continuous medical learning is to ensure that practising sonographers improve their knowledge and ability to report accurately on diagnostic findings for better patient outcomes or healthcare solutions.

In training programs, workshops or conferences, it is essential to design a CDM model that would help the participants understand the protocols involved in the diagnosis processes in the management of patients. Clinical research models are also vital in helping students, and professional sonographers identify their role in research programs that requires their input. For better results, self-directing learning is essential in developing cognitive tasks that do not only focus on the diagnostic processes but an evaluation, analysis, and creation of CDM pathways inventory. Cognitive comprehension ensures that the designed CDM help in achieving an elevated though processing that enhances professional creativity. It also helps in improving patient safety and efficiency in the entire diagnostic procedure.

Applying CDM culture in Clinical environment makes it meaningful in attaining best patient management outcomes. Most of the professional training realizes a little since they focus on the curriculum but not the application of the acquired knowledge in work setting. However, CDM culture augments patient care approaches through advanced sonographic understanding and skills that help in the identification of emerging and complex diseases or health conditions. The professional training assists sonographers to specialize and integrate their expertise into various clinical disciplines. The overall objective of all the training programs is to enhance high-quality patient care. It helps in the realization of responsible, accountable, providing expertise diagnostic clinical sonography services. It provides a professional health education infrastructure that enables clinical practitioners to be competent in their field by providing excellent health solutions. ​

Through research studies, reading of books and articles, sonographers can improve on professional and personal traits that make them better clinical experts. New knowledge has the potential of creating a difference in people’s lives as it affords clinical excellence. Best care is attained through a multi-model sonography curriculum that is a continuous training process for clinical practitioners. Similar to other medical professional’s sonographers must embrace the qualities that are at the core of clinical practice. They must endeavor to comply with clinical procedures, professional ethics, and health facilities regulations as well as effective communication and providing leadership in their area of practice.