MUAM 2021

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month (MUAM) is held annually in October to create awareness of the role of ultrasound professionals in the medical community and to educate the public about medical ultrasound. 

There is so much more to Ultrasound than you may think - it is more than just scanning unborn babies!  
Many medical disorders are diagnosed through Medical Ultrasound such as liver disease, blood clots, gallstones, various types of cancer, and many other problems in both animals and humans! MUAM offers an opportunity to delve into many of these topics and how medical professionals utilise this ever-advancing technology. 
  
Why 
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month is an amazing opportunity to raise awareness within the ultrasound community, focussing on the different ways ultrasound can be applied within healthcare. Importantly, it also provides an opportunity for ultrasound professionals to celebrate what it means to be involved in Sonography and also, the wider “family” of medical professionals who use ultrasound. 
  
How 
Throughout the month of October, we plan to raise awareness through facts, articles and more. Expert medical ultrasound users and physicists across the country have plans to get you involved and make you think about ultrasound for medical diagnosis and treatment. Make sure to keep an eye out on our social media pages and Ultrapost for all the latest updates and opportunities that you can get involved in. 
  
Who 
Throughout the month, different Ultrasound professionals will be having their say on the importance of Ultrasound and its utility in modern society. BMUS President, Pam Parker and ASA, Chief Executive, Jodie Long, will take part in 4 podcast style discussions looking at 4 key themes in modern day clinical ultrasound practice. I will also be discussing my love for Ultrasound and its importance in society, along with fellow ultrasound professionals Hazel Edwards and Shaunna Smith. 

If you wish to check out what we did last year for MUAM click here. 
  
Article by Professor Adrian Lim, BMUS President Elect and Jane McNulty, Events and Marketing Coordinator, BMUS.

ASA and BMUS Podcast Episode 1: How Does the Future of Sonography Look as a Profession in Each Country?

Love of Ultrasound Article by Hazel Edwards, Professional Officer at BMUS 

ASA and BMUS Podcast Episode 2: What Advice Would You Like to Pass on to Today's Trainees?

Love of Ultrasound Article by Shaunna Smith, Clinical Specialist Sonographer 

ASA and BMUS Podcast Episode 3: What One Thing Would You Change About the Profession? How Would You Go About Channging it?

Love of Ultrasound Article by Professor Adrian Lim, BMUS President Elect

ASA and BMUS Podcast Episode 4: If You Were Invited to Set Up One Service in a Developing Country What Would it be?

Reflections on Ultrasound training during COVID-19

MUAM - An Ultrasound Ode

Hello, my name is ........... and this is how we greet,

for an abdominal scan, 6 hours before, you are not allowed to eat.

I will be doing your scan today,

on the couch on your back,  I need you to lay.

The gel is warm so do not worry,

with this tissue you can wipe away in a flurry.

Lights will be dimmed, doors closed, settings chosen,

to take a picture the screen will be frozen.

 Everything ready, so the scan will begin,

for the neck scan please lift your chin.

I want to tell you, October is the month of medical ultrasound awareness,

so let's celebrate, spread the word and get over our shyness.

We see  patients of all sorts of shapes and sizes, from all walks of life and ages,

twins and triplets, sometimes days are filled with wonderful surprises.

Livers, spleens, kidneys, aortas  and gallbladders we scan,

heads,  legs,  bladders,  babies and even fingers and toes we can!

From stones, cysts and tumours to all sorts of different pathologies,

thyroid nodules,  tendon tears, fibroids,  ganglions,   endless possibilities.

Our job is to  diagnose,

as low as reasonably achievable is the dose.

Safety is at the forefront, beware the TI and MI,

ensure when not in use, the transducer is on standby.

Position may be erect,  prone, Decubitus or supine,

acoustic shadowing or enhancement are a sign.

Breath in, breath out, push or strain,

hopefully there will be a patent portal vein.

Included are service evaluations, CPD and audit as part of our roles,

patient safety and optimum quality are our goals.

Lately there has been difficulty, criticism, hurt  and pain,

 unprecedented times  with covid  to blame.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel,

together, united  we stand and will not crumble.

We are team Ultrasound, sometimes very profound,

come find out more,  join us , work with us, we are sound! 

By Khalida Jan, Consultant Sonographer at Sunderland Royal Hospital