Category: Blogs

Written by:

Sydney McQuade, MEd, LPC

Counterbalance Counseling – Austin, TX

Since March 13, the following 293 days of 2020 were exhausting.  This upheaval was followed by an equally challenging first four months of 2021, where shocking events and losses have continued.  The global pandemic required us to relinquish control of our everyday lives on a grand scale, both at work and at home, to survive.  What a tradeoff and sacrifice it has been.  Many were forced to leave jobs, either willingly to care for and teach children or because of layoffs and cutbacks, adding to the uncertainty and chaos. Racial injustice and deaths piled onto the collective sense of loss and fear. Whatever your political position, everyone experienced a tumultuous election cycle making adaptation, adjustment, and acceptance the name of the game.

In the book “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers,” author and primatologist Robert Sapolsky, MD, explains that zebras only experience stress as episodic rather than pervasive.  Zebras do not avoid certain watering holes because there COULD be a lion lurking in the brush; they only experience stress if a lion IS chasing them in the present moment.  When applied to the last year’s events, it all felt like one long, traumatic and exhausting lion chase.  Since we are not zebras, we do worry about the lion that could chase us; or the predator that did hunt us the previous day; even if some of the drawn-out events of the last 365 days have ended, we’re not necessarily able to snap out of it like a Zebra.  It would be nice if we could!

Most people, especially those experiencing a recent loss, will understandably continue to experience psychological distress either due to how we had to adapt to survive or the sustained grief, worry, and fear that accompanies those adaptations and loss.  As with any adaptation made to survive, the accompanying psychological distress can either come to us in the present moment or arise down the road once we are out of survival mode.  The need to cope and heal after the fact is often a concept that feels confusing to people. Still, we know that late-onset feelings of psychological distress (sadness, anger, grief, fear) can come to us only once we’re safe and out of danger.  Now that we are safe, we CAN feel again.  As mentioned previously, we are not zebras and need to complete our stress cycles somehow to move forward and rebalance ourselves.  Here are a few ideas for how to do this:

THANK YOURSELF

Thank yourself for surviving, and be grateful to your mind, body, and emotional abilities that helped you survive.  You may have survived by staying home, compartmentalizing your feelings, sleeping more, or isolating yourself, not seeing friends or family.  You may have survived by focusing on work or getting a puppy.  Whatever it is, notice it and thank yourself because, in one way or another, it kept you safe.

LABEL YOUR EXPERIENCE

Label your feelings bravely and adequately.  Is what you’re feeling grief?  Is it sadness?  Is it fear?  If you label your feelings appropriately, it can help you address them in the most authentic and congruent way.

TYPE OF CARE

Note if you need active self-care, passive, or a combination.  You may need to do something active to relieve your stress cycle (plant a new garden, exercise, find a therapist) or combine it with something subdued and more passive (nap when tired, sit outdoors).  The point is, you may need to do something to facilitate the healing, and that’s okay.

SELF-COMPASSION

You can’t authentically feel your feelings or heal if you’re judging yourself for needing to.  Take the self-judgment out of the equation, and psychological distress becomes lighter, more focused, and accessible.  Judging yourself for your feelings creates distraction making it challenging to reach the core of what needs healing.

SOCIAL SUPPORT

Zebras surround the herd-mate who is being chased, and it keeps everyone in the herd safe.  Need I say more?

REBALANCE

Take inventory of the tradeoffs you had to make to survive and apply some intentional problem solving to how you can rebalance those tradeoffs now that things can and need to heal.  Maybe you over-committed to distract yourself and now feel exhausted, so perhaps it’s time to cut something out, or maybe you cut things out to focus and get the things done, but now it may be time to add back in some self-care.

Ultrasound can take a physical toll on a sonographer’s body. In the past decade, the exam protocols we follow have become more detailed, the average patient body habitus has increased, and physicians choose diagnostic Ultrasound more often. While these factors alone increase the potential for a Sonographer to develop a Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMSD), the risk is further increased if:

1. You are vertically challenged with a height less than the national average, which for men is five foot nine inches, and for women five foot 4 inches (Body Measurements, 2021).

2. You scan in a highly specialized modality, or

3. You refuse to slow down despite pain because you don’t want to let down your coworkers, your physicians, or your patients.

A white paper published by SDMS in 2018 reported that 90% of sonographers had experienced some sort of pain resulting from their job (Murphey, 2018). 9 out of 10 professionals experiencing pain are too many! BB Imaging surveyed sonographers and found that of the 106 respondents, some were experiencing pain as early as two years into their career. What if we told you it doesn’t have to be like this? That scanning in pain doesn’t have to be a daily part of life?

You can have a long and enjoyable career in Ultrasound!  Saving yourself from injury starts before you even pick up a probe.

1. Take the time to adjust your workstation. Ensure the bed, chair, and machine height are all at a comfortable level, and your patient is as close to you as possible. Correct positioning can prevent your arm from being overly abducted and your neck and back from twisting too far.

2. Encourage your patient to relax as much as possible and position them so you may utilize alternative windows. This technique can keep you from having to use more pressure to obtain diagnostic images. Maintain constant communication throughout the exam. If your patient is well informed, they may be less anxious and more relaxed.

3. Keep linens and cable cords out of the way. Fighting with the towel or probe cords can make you push too hard. Wear a cable brace to secure your cord and help make a clear path for your exam.

4. Use physics and your machine to get your images as sharp as possible. Try probes with different frequencies, change the machine presets, and scan perpendicular to organ interfaces. Always keep in mind, “how am I going to decrease the distance between the transducer and the target?”

5. Alternate between sitting and standing while scanning. A combination of sitting and standing offers variety and balance in your day. Our bodies respond best to balance and movement, which helps support safe postures.

6. Alternate between scanning hands. This practice provides periods of rest for the hand and wrist not in use.

7. Take Mini breaks. Stretch out the fingers of your scanning hand when making measurements, perform small neck/arm stretches between patients, get up and walk around periodically when not scanning. This movement helps put your scanning muscles in recovery mode.

8. Use post-processing to obtain images and measurements from cine clips. This method can help reduce the amount of time spent pushing.

9. Incorporate help from students, colleagues, and nurses – work as a team!

10. Take care of yourself. Get regular massages, take time to work out and strengthen your body, and take your vacations; you earned it! Treat your body like you would your car – the more you take care of it, the longer it will run!

Works Cited

Body Measurements. (2021, January 14). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/body-measurements.htm

Murphey, S. (2018). Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Sonography. Plano: Society of Diagnostic Medical Imaging.

It’s no secret that a budget can drastically improve your finances. A monthly budget gives you a clear picture of where your money is going and sets parameters for your spending.

Simple in theory but hard to implement. Budgeting can be especially tricky if you have an irregular income.

How can you make significant financial strides when you’re not sure how much money will come in this month?

Here are four tips for getting organized when on an hourly income:

1.     Find Your Worst Month

Irregular incomes can thrust us into a “feast or famine” cycle. Some months you’re eating prime rib, while others, you’re secretly selling your kids toys on Craigslist. What can you do?

The key is planning your month based on a worst-case scenario. 

Look at your income over the past six months. What was your lowest earning month? Moving forward, we’ll want to use this as a baseline.

By creating a budget based on your worst month, you’ll ensure that you always have enough money to fund your expenses. It’s much better to have extra money than not enough when it comes to budgeting.

2.     Spend Your Money on Paper First

Now that you know your lowest potential income, it’s time to create a budget.

Write your lowball number at the top of your budget page and start totaling your expenses. Your income must be higher than your expenses.

As you go through your monthly expenses, start with the essentials. Make sure you allocate money toward your house, utilities, and transportation. Once you fund those items, you can start budgeting other bills and expenses. It’s important to account for every single dollar you will spend this month.

Once you get to the bottom of the page, total up your expenses. This number should be smaller than the number at the top. If it’s not, you might need to go back and make some cuts.

By creating a budget and spending money on paper first, you can catch and solve money problems before they happen.

3.     The Gravy on the Biscuit

What about those really good months? The ones where you pick up extra hours and make a whole lot more money than usual?

Consider all of that gravy on the biscuit! You can direct any extra money you bring in toward your financial goals. Are you trying to build up your emergency fund, save for a big vacation, or knock out a student loan? This surplus of money can be laser-focused on that goal.

If you’ve had an excellent month, add some extra money into your budget for you to enjoy. Just make sure you have a plan for every additional dollar you brought in so that it doesn’t disappear.

4.     Periodic Adjustments

Now and then, you’ll want to adjust your “worst-case scenario” number. If you notice you’ve made a lot more for multiple months, it may be time to adjust. Look back and see what your worst month had been and adjust accordingly.

However, if at any point you make less than your worst-case number, it may be time to adjust it down.

Look deeper to see if there were anomalies that may have caused the lower month. What happened to cause it to be short? Could it happen again? Missing a week because a kid was sick could happen again. A snowstorm in Texas, however, can likely be written off as a one-time thing.

Budgeting for an irregular income can be challenging, but having a plan will add some consistency and clarity to your finances.

Pregnancy is an incredibly exciting time for parents, but it comes with chances for complications.  Possible issues can include high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and gestational diabetes. Without good prenatal care, these complications can pose significant health risks. For this reason, many healthcare providers, startups, and workers are investing their time and resources in using technology to revolutionize prenatal care. In this post, we will discuss some of these technologies.

Wearables 

Wearable technology is one of the most useful tools in healthcare — from smartwatches that track your daily steps and your heart rate to sophisticated biosensors that collect data such as movement and respiratory rates. Today’s wearables can enlighten you and your doctor about your health status. For those who might need constant monitoring during pregnancy, wearables can help ensure safety.

One wearable is Nuvo Group’s Invu, which measures markers of maternal and fetal wellbeing. This tool can measure metrics such as fetal heart rate, fetal movements, uterine activity, and maternal heart rate ⁠— all by using surface electrodes. The data is then sent remotely to the patient’s obstetrician for documentation and monitoring. Nuvo Group designed Invu to fit comfortably during pregnancy thanks to modern PCBs that allow the manufacturer to fit powerful components in unusually shaped devices. As wearable technology continues to innovate, more compact and affordable products will likely be available on the market.

Imaging 

Imaging tools such as ultrasounds serve an important purpose throughout pregnancy. Aside from providing visual data, ultrasounds allow for prompt investigation and management of acute and chronic medical symptoms during pregnancy. However, not every patient can easily access imaging and diagnostics facilities.

To make imaging more accessible, Israeli startup PulseNmore has created an at-home handheld ultrasound system called Instinct. For $300, Instinct allows patients to record and send images to their obstetrician. This device enables obstetricians to evaluate critical pregnancy information — such as placental location, amniotic fluid, fetal position, and cardiac activity. When there’s a considerable demand for Telehealth services, such innovative tools allow patients to better provide information to their obstetricians. This technology can significantly benefit those in rural areas who don’t have immediate access to health facilities.

Apps

You can do almost anything on a smartphone. Through apps developed by various healthcare providers, it is now possible to set clinic appointments and talk to a general practitioner. This service is beneficial for patients who need immediate insight and advice regarding their pregnancy. New York startup Maven Clinic has launched an app geared toward pregnant patients — where users can book appointments and even video chat with obstetricians, therapists, nutritionists, and more. The app also has a practitioner-moderated forum where users can engage with the community.

Thanks to today’s technology, there can be less worry and anxiety during pregnancy. For more healthcare-related posts, be sure to visit our blog.Pregnancy is an incredibly exciting time for parents, but it comes with chances for complications.  Possible issues can include high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and gestational diabetes. Without good prenatal care, these complications can pose significant health risks. For this reason, many healthcare providers, startups, and workers are investing their time and resources in using technology to revolutionize prenatal care. In this post, we will discuss some of these technologies.

Wearables 

Wearable technology is one of the most useful tools in healthcare — from smartwatches that track your daily steps and your heart rate to sophisticated biosensors that collect data such as movement and respiratory rates. Today’s wearables can enlighten you and your doctor about your health status. For those who might need constant monitoring during pregnancy, wearables can help ensure safety.

One wearable is Nuvo Group’s Invu, which measures markers of maternal and fetal wellbeing. This tool can measure metrics such as fetal heart rate, fetal movements, uterine activity, and maternal heart rate ⁠— all by using surface electrodes. The data is then sent remotely to the patient’s obstetrician for documentation and monitoring. Nuvo Group designed Invu to fit comfortably during pregnancy thanks to modern PCBs that allow the manufacturer to fit powerful components in unusually shaped devices. As wearable technology continues to innovate, more compact and affordable products will likely be available on the market.

Imaging 

Imaging tools such as ultrasounds serve an important purpose throughout pregnancy. Aside from providing visual data, ultrasounds allow for prompt investigation and management of acute and chronic medical symptoms during pregnancy. However, not every patient can easily access imaging and diagnostics facilities.

To make imaging more accessible, Israeli startup PulseNmore has created an at-home handheld ultrasound system called Instinct. For $300, Instinct allows patients to record and send images to their obstetrician. This device enables obstetricians to evaluate critical pregnancy information — such as placental location, amniotic fluid, fetal position, and cardiac activity. When there’s a considerable demand for Telehealth services, such innovative tools allow patients to better provide information to their obstetricians. This technology can significantly benefit those in rural areas who don’t have immediate access to health facilities.

Apps

You can do almost anything on a smartphone. Through apps developed by various healthcare providers, it is now possible to set clinic appointments and talk to a general practitioner. This service is beneficial for patients who need immediate insight and advice regarding their pregnancy. New York startup Maven Clinic has launched an app geared toward pregnant patients — where users can book appointments and even video chat with obstetricians, therapists, nutritionists, and more. The app also has a practitioner-moderated forum where users can engage with the community.

Thanks to today’s technology, there can be less worry and anxiety during pregnancy. For more healthcare-related posts, be sure to visit our blog.

I don’t know anyone that enjoys difficult conversations, do you?  In fact, most people will go far out of their way to avoid them.  Unfortunately, that’s not the answer – not if it’s someone you really need to work with – like your team, patients, physicians, and family… just to name a few.  I wish communication was always easy and everyone would accept what we say in the way it was intended.  It just doesn’t always work that way.  So sometimes, we just try and avoid the people or the problem.

The avoidance strategy doesn’t work.  When was the last time you ignored a tough conversation, and things got better?  Yep.  Just what I thought.  In this article, I am going to share a few tips that may just help during that next tough conversation.

I don’t know what’s more difficult – the tough conversation I was expecting or the one I wasn’t.  Since you can prepare for tough conversations you know are coming, let’s talk about a way to handle the unexpected ones.  Use my friend, LAURIE.

Where did this come from?

Can you remember the last time someone came up to you, clearly not happy, and they wanted to make that YOUR problem?  They could have been frustrated, angry, or just got up on the wrong side of the bed.  When that happens – stop, take a breath and LISTEN.  Yes, listen.  When someone is all wound up, I believe there is a physical need to let it out!  When you try and stop them by cutting them off or ignoring them, it just adds fuel to the fire.  Make eye contact.  Focus and ACKNOWLEDGE them.

When you listen, really listen.  Try to hear and understand what they are saying from their perspective.  Show them you UNDERSTAND what they are communicating.  One way to do this is to try and REPHRASE what you think you heard them say and respond with something like, “It sounds like you are saying…..xxxxxx…  Do I have that right?”. The ability to rephrase and gain confirmation that what you heard is what they said goes a long way to taking out some of the steam.  (Listening is not the same thing as agreeing.)

Next, IDENTIFY what they are looking for you to do.  It is one of two things. Do something/fix it or Just Listen.  If you try and fix it too soon by stopping them to propose a solution before they have finished sharing, it merely adds gas to the fire.  Remember the last time you wanted to vent and were shut down?  It can be infuriating!   Letting them get what they want to say off their chest can go a long way to diffusing the negative energy.  What role do they want you to play for them?

 Once you have ‘heard’ them, and they know it (because you were able to rephrase it and gain confirmation), then you can determine the right next steps.  Engage. Now is the time to transition from the problem to problem-solving.

Listen.

Acknowledge.

Understand.

Rephrase.

Identify.

Engage.

LAURIE.

She’s there.  Call on her when you need her to handle those tough conversations.

Anyone in the field can tell you that sonography is a competitive career path, and it’s not difficult to see why. Sonography schools can get you in, out, and into a paying job within 2 years. Sonographers make an excellent starting salary and have a highly positive job outlook, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The work itself provides mental stimulation, variety, and the ability to make a direct impact on patient lives.

All those benefits mean sonography programs are often highly competitive, with far more applicants than there are seats available. So, if sonography is your dream job, how do you get one of those seats?

What Path to Take

While most programs are 2-year degrees, bachelor’s degrees are also available. For those who already have degrees, or are already trained in another healthcare practice, 1-year certification programs are also an option. Once you know which path is right for you, it’s time to choose a  sonography program.

What to Look for in a Sonography Program

Finding the right program can be trickier than you think. While you might default to looking for a desirable location or prestigious school, there are a variety of factors to consider. Here are our top four:

1.     Accreditation

When searching for programs, the first big element to look for is accreditation. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health/Education Programs (CAAHEP) oversees that and has provided an easy way to find accredited sonography programs through its online search tool.

*Pro-tip: Be careful when researching 1-year certification programs since these are more likely to be unaccredited.

2.     Specializations

Specialization is typical in sonography. Common specializations include echocardiography, obstetrical sonography, neurosonography, and vascular sonography. If you have a particular interest, you’ll want to make sure the program you’re considering offers it.

3.     Curriculum

Sonography will feature science and math-heavy coursework. Don’t be surprised when you see physics included in the lineup! In addition, when you look over the offered curriculum, make sure there are plenty of hands-on lab experiences available.

4.     Clinicals

Speaking of hands-on experience, let’s talk clinical hours. These will be required for graduation, but are often structured differently. Some programs will offer all coursework first and all clinicals second. Other programs will ask you to complete them simultaneously. In addition, some programs will ask you to find a site to perform your hours, while other schools will assign a site to you. If you have a strong preference in any of these areas, take that into consideration when choosing a sonography program.

*Pro tip: Do your homework and consider all the possibilities. Can you make clinical hours work logistically and financially? What if the school assigns you a site that is an hour or two away?

How to Get into a Sonography Program

So, you’ve chosen your path and your program. Now it’s time to make this dream job a reality. Here are our top eight tips for getting into sonography school:

1.     Consider Character Qualities

Before you get too far into the application process, take a small pause to make sure this is right for you. Sonographers need to be driven and self-motivated to perform at a high level. They have to be team-oriented, adaptable, and willing to receive criticism. They also must be willing to keep learning through classes and continuing education credits.

Maybe most importantly, sonographers need to be perfectionists. The thoroughness of an ultrasound can be the difference between early intervention and misdiagnosis. Think of it like real estate. If a realtor doesn’t take a picture of the pool, potential buyers won’t know it’s there, and that will impact their buying decision. Similarly, if a sonographer does not capture an image of an abnormality, the doctor can’t diagnose it, and that will impact the patient’s treatment plan. Missing a Stage 1 diagnosis could result in a Stage 4 diagnosis later, and by then, it could be too late to treat.

That’s a lot of responsibility. However, if you feel like you check those character quality boxes and are excited about the responsibility for accurate diagnoses, read on!

2.     Meet All the Requirements

Most sonography programs have a mix of requirements that include GPA, standardized test scores, and required coursework. As competitive as these programs are, it should come as no surprise that you must at least meet the minimum requirements to have a chance. Know what those requirements are and be prepared to prove you meet them.

3.     Do All the Extra Things

Sonography school prerequisites will likely include a whole list of recommendations in addition to the program’s requirements. Do as many of them as you can. Complete the extra coursework. Take a CPR class. Volunteer. Shadow a sonographer. Completing these extras shows that you are serious about this career path and this program. If you’re not sure where to start, consider applying to be one of BB Imaging’s technical assistants. You’ll gain healthcare experience and work alongside sonographers every day.

4.     Submit a Complete Package

Your application package should include all requested materials and should be submitted on time. It’s too easy to just throw away an incomplete application in favor of a completed one or to throw away a late application in favor of one that was submitted on time. Some programs even have a policy that prevents them from wasting time on incomplete applications.

5.     Complete Observation Hours

Observation hours or shadowing is sometimes recommended, sometimes required. Either way, we encourage you to complete this step. Being in an office and seeing a sonographer in action is the best way to determine whether this is a career you want to pursue. And don’t forget to track your hours!

6.     Gather Letters of Recommendation

Some programs will require these, some will not. If there’s a way to include them, do it! Recommendations from others can make your application stronger. Tell your science and math teachers, sonographers you shadowed, or past/current supervisors about your aspirations and ask them to provide a letter. Make sure to provide them with the recipient’s contact information, any key elements the program is looking for, and a deadline.

7.     Prep for an Interview

The sonography school interview is more important for some programs than others. Regardless of how weighty the interview is, it’s a good idea to show up prepared. Before setting up an interview, you should already understand what the program entails and meet all other requirements. During the interview, you should be friendly, attentive, and articulate—all necessary traits for a good sonographer. As much as you can, demonstrate a knowledge of sonography and your aspirations related to the field. And ask questions, even if you only have time for one.

8.     Persevere

This step might be the hardest. Obviously, we’re hoping these tips catapult you to the top of your preferred program’s list of applicants and that you ultimately get accepted on your first try. But… denials happen. Just remember, you’re not the only one to receive a rejection letter, and this gives you more time to strengthen your application for next time.

We hope you find these tips helpful. If you have any questions our stellar sonographers can help with, drop them in the comments!

Let’s start with a disclaimer: We recognize there is no replacement for totally disconnecting from work for an extended period of time. It’s something we encourage every team member of BB Imaging to do. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and vacation time gets used in ways we didn’t intend. This post is for those starting with little to no PTO who want to find ways to avoid burnout.

Thankfully, there are ample opportunities to take a break without using vacation time that can improve your health and well-being, lighten your mood and outlook, and even increase your productivity.

Take Mini-Breaks at Work

Yes—take breaks while you’re at work! The human body and mind aren’t designed to work nonstop. In fact, the more you push yourself, the less productive, creative, and efficient you’ll be. Recent research shows that taking a few minutes in the middle of the day to stretch, walk around, or do a short meditation leads to less fatigue. If the idea of taking a break at work is uncomfortable, start small by simply closing your eyes for a few moments during the day to minimize digital and sensory overload. As you get more comfortable with breaks, check out this list from The Muse for more ideas.

Disengage at the End of the Workday

We understand you’re probably not done working, even though the workday is over. But if you can, or as much as you can, gently put your responsibilities off to the side for a few minutes when you get home and give yourself time to unwind before tackling the next honey-do. Research suggests this downtime will not only help you feel less fatigued but will help you engage more at work and have more energy when you leave at the end of the day. Try using this time for exercise, listening to music or a podcast, or simply laying down and closing your eyes.

Make the Most of Days Off

Whether you get regular weekends or sporadic days off, make the most of them. If your days off typically consist of Netflix binges, you might want to rethink your strategy. Recent research indicates active leisure leads to a more positive mood than passive leisure. That means days off should be filled more with enjoyable hobbies, exercise, conversation, etc. than with streaming binges and endless scrolling.

So, what do you enjoy doing? Leisure activities are not one-size-fits-all and should align with your personality and goals. Introverted? Try time alone reading. Extroverted? Try scheduling lunch with friends. Crafty? Pick up your tool of choice and create something new. Sporty? Pop on a video from your favorite trainer. Curious? Find a short class or course and learn something new. You get the picture. The key here is to be actively engaged in something you enjoy.

Take Advantage of Vitamin N

Heard of Vitamin N? Don’t go searching for a supplement. We’re talking about nature. All our time indoors isn’t necessarily good for us, and a growing body of research shows that time in nature provides a whole host of benefits, including decreased stress, tension, and anxiety. In addition, a healthy dose of Vitamin N increases relaxation, promotes healing, leads to better mental health, and fosters feelings of peace and well-being.

During the workday, try a short walk outside. If the weather isn’t good, find a window to have lunch beside and enjoy the view for a while. After work, try taking your exercise outdoors. Consider backyard yoga, walking your pet, or playing tag with the kids. On days off, find yourself outside on a day trip hike, in the yard for a picnic, or browsing a magazine in a hammock on the back patio. There’s no wrong answer here. As long as you’re engaging and enjoying the nature around you, you’ll reap the benefits of the great outdoors.

Disconnect from Digital

And now a quick word about the quiet enemy of relaxation—screen time. While a full-fledged digital detox might not be practical for you, the more time you spend away from the screen, the better. Checking emails, scrolling through social media, and getting caught in the news cycle are sure-fire ways to undermine your break time.

During mini-breaks, leave your phone in your desk drawer. After work, try setting your phone on silent for 15-30 minutes and resist the temptation to pick up the TV remote. On days off, try setting a timer to limit your social scroll or leave the phone in another room for the day (you can turn the volume way up if you’re worried about missing an emergency call).

We hope these ideas help you take some time for yourself, even if you can’t take a vacation. If you have any other suggestions on how to take a break without using PTO, we’d love to hear them! Oh, and do your overworked friend a solid—share this article with them.

It’s the holiday season, and there’s no better time of year to say “thank you” to the special people in our lives. And if some of your special people are sonographers, we’ve got you covered with the ultimate gift list! Here are a few ideas from stocking stuffers to the perfect presents for any holiday occasion.

$30 and Under

Coffee – Long hours, late nights, and early mornings are commonplace in the medical field. Sonographers need to always be alert, so what better gift than the gift of coffee? Whether it’s a nice bag of roasted coffee beans or a gift card to a local coffee shop, this will bring a jolt of holiday cheer!

Lip Balm – Why do medical buildings seem to be some of the driest places on earth? Ensure they keep their lips moisturized throughout the day with an all-natural lip balm. Whether you choose to go with a fancy balm or a classic brand, there is an option for everyone.

Hydrating Hand Cream – There is nothing worse than the feeling of dry, cracked hands. Sonographers are constantly washing their hands, which wreaks havoc on their two most important tools. A hydrating hand cream will ensure their hands stay moisturized, wash after wash.

Sonography Charm Necklace – Sonographers can’t wear bracelets, so opt for a cute necklace instead. A charm necklace is a fun way to show off the important field they work in, and personalization adds an extra-special touch. This one also comes in gold and rose gold.

Custom Badge Reel – Sonographers must have their ID badge on them at all times, but that doesn’t mean it has to be on a boring badge reel or lanyard. Customize a reel just for them, and they’ll smile every time they see it.

Transducer Cable Brace – Constantly moving or adjusting the transducer cable can increase the risk of injury to the elbow, hand, and wrist. A cable brace helps hold and support the transducer cable and alleviates some of that tension.

Compression Socks – Compression improves your blood flow and can relieve or prevent the ache that comes from being on your feet all day. Grab a pair or two in your favorite sonographer’s favorite colors.

Over $30

Water Bottle – Staying hydrated throughout a busy day can be a challenge, especially if you don’t keep a water bottle close. Solve this problem for your favorite sonographer by personalizing a water bottle just for them. It’ll be a great reminder to drink water throughout the day and avoid afternoon fatigue.

Scrub Jackets – Regardless of the weather, it can get pretty chilly in a medical office. Sonographers will appreciate a slim-fit jacket they can throw on over their scrubs.

Comfortable Shoes – Being on your feet all day is tough on your whole body. Make their job a little easier with the gift of great shoes. These were made specifically for healthcare workers and feature liquid and stain-resistant fabric and odor-fighting insoles.

Backpack – Designed by healthcare workers, for healthcare workers! This backpack has top-of-the-line organization features, all enclosed in an antimicrobial exterior.

Gift Cards (Choose Your Amount!)

Audible – Many sonographers spend a lot of time on the road, and a gift from Audible means they can fill that time with whatever they’re in the mood for—from lighthearted comedy to a master class on personal finance.

Spotify – If they’re not into podcasts, go for music instead! If they already have a streaming service, you can help cover the bill or introduce them to something new.

Massage – Sonography is physically demanding, especially on the upper body. Treat the sonographers on your list to some rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation with a massage gift card. Try chains like Elements or Massage Envy or search for a local salon.

Scrubs & Beyond – Sometimes the last thing a sonographer will purchase for themselves is a new set of scrubs. Why not pick up a gift card so they can treat themselves?

There you have it! Fifteen awesome gift ideas for the special sonographer on your list. We checked this list twice, but if you think we missed something, let us know in the comments!

Last month we discussed how telemedicine can impact teen pregnancy rates in the Latino population, this month we explore how telemedicine can disrupt our entire medical model. We may think of telemedicine as cutting-edge technology and in many ways, it is. However, remote medicine was conceptualized as early as the 1920’s and had various practical incarnations as early as the 1950’s and 60’s.  Telemedicine was originally conceived to bring healthcare into rural settings but healthcare professionals quickly realized the potential to use telemedicine in urban settings with provider shortages as well as in emergencies to transmit data from disaster sites[1].

It is easy to see how telemedicine provides benefits to rural and urban settings where access to providers can be limited, but even in typical medical settings this practice has the potential to greatly improve efficiency by providing cost and time savings for providers as well as patients. Telemedicine visits tend to be shorter than office visits, so provider time is used more effectively. The overhead required to support telemedicine visits is also less when considering office space, receptionists, and payroll hours dedicated to data collection. Telemedicine can enable providers to discover problems earlier and head off issues before they become dangerous, painful, and costly. Patients can more easily enter triage with a concern which promotes early detection of emerging conditions. With faster remote access to providers unnecessary ER visits can be avoided; one study found that 27% percent of ER visits, costing $1000 and up, could be replaced by a $50 telemedicine visit. In addition, specialist consults can occur more quickly at lower costs[2].

Patient time is often wasted through redundant processes and lengthy wait times for office visits and referrals. This creates problems not only for the patient but a significant amount of productivity loss for their employers as well. Companies are beginning to demand telemedicine as part of their health benefits to keep employees healthy, productive, and happy[2].

There are many potential benefits of telemedicine, however, there are concerns to address. One of the first is risk management for patient data. All parties must have appropriate software and hardware security in place. Another practical concern is reimbursement policies vary wildly from state to state and by insurance carrier. There are concerns regarding care as well. Qualifications of providers are sometimes called into question. Quality of care has been debated, for example, tele-docs are less likely to order strep tests and more likely to prescribe antibiotics for people complaining of sore throat. This practice increases risk of over-prescription which contributes to development of antibiotic-resistant germs. There is also concern about the continuity of care for patients. Who manages a patient’s overall treatment plan and how are physicians communicating with each other? Studies about quality of telemedicine care vs traditional care differ in conclusions, some say care is equal some say it is not. It seems telemedicine is proven most effective when it is used as part of a comprehensive treatment program with a team to monitor each patient. Positive outcomes decrease when it is used as stand-alone care [2].

Despite the quality debate and logistical hurdles, telemedicine is the direction healthcare is heading and with good reason.  Practically speaking millennials do most things on the smartphone. Every other industry is learning how to communicate with this demographic on their device of choice. Healthcare will eventually follow suit simply because the market demands it [2]. Most importantly the U.S. spends over $2.9 trillion on healthcare every year.  This is more than any other developed nation.  An estimated $200 billion of those costs are avoidable.  Telemedicine has the power to cut healthcare spending by reducing problems like patient noncompliance and unnecessary ER visits, as well as making typical doctor visits more efficient.  Current data points to the exponential growth of telemedicine.  The global telemedicine market was worth $17.8 billion in 2014, and is projected to grow well beyond that by 2020[1].

[1] Hixon, T. (2016, June 10th). https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddhixon/2016/06/10/will-telemedicine-change-healthcare-or-prove-to-be-another-venture-fad/#42c682044248. Retrieved from forbes: http://www.forbes.com

[2] eVisit. (2017). https://evisit.com/what-is-telemedicine/. Retrieved from eVisit: http://www.evisit.com