Importance of Sonographers Reporting Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injury

This study is intended to provide descriptive data of the incidence of sonographers reporting work-related musculoskeletal pain and barriers that inhibit reporting. Approximately 135 sonographers received a survey; 70 surveys were returned. An absent sonographer may lead to increased wait time for patients and compromise examination quality as remaining sonographers decrease examination times to accommodate a larger number of patients. Many sonographers are not reporting their pain or injury due to an incorrect belief that nothing can be done to improve the situation. This is a misconception that may result in more severe injury and a larger number of sonographers leaving the field. Strategies must be developed that encourage sonographer reporting of pain and facilitate interventions designed to provide sonographers with a safe and healthy environment.