Development of a professional competency framework for Australian sonographers—perspectives for developing competencies using a Delphi methodology

Abstract

Background Professional competencies are important for enhancing alignment between the needs of education, industry, and health consumers, whilst describing public expectations around health professionals. The development of competency standards for the sonography profession defines the behaviours, skills and knowledge sonographers should demonstrate for each learning and experience level. Methods Representatives of three Australian ultrasound professional associations and seven tertiary institutions involved in entry-level sonographer education in Australia formed a research team. The research team recruited an expert panel that responded to six survey rounds. Using a Delphi methodology, the results and free-text comments from each previous round were fed back to participants in the subsequent survey rounds to achieve consensus. Results The project developed a professional competency framework for sonographers which included four major domains: Detailed competency standards, sonographer knowledge, sonographer attitudes and a holistic competency matrix [https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17148035.v2.] Conclusion The Delphi methodology is an effective way to develop professional competency standards. This paper describes the methods and challenges in developing such standards for sonographers which could be translated to other health professionals.

Entrustable professional activities of graduate accredited General Medical Sonographers in Australia – Industry perceptions

“…Knowledge of paediatric normal and abnormal sonographic appearances and related techniques are considered "Core" within the most recent Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers. 6 Course providers ASAR-accredited course providers remain ultimately accountable for the clinical assessment of students. 5 Therefore, a set of published EPAs communicates to course providers the need to ensure work-ready graduates using robust assessment strategies.…”

“…A vital component of these standards recognises that students achieve a minimum competency standard benchmarked against an industry-endorsed competency framework. 6 To promote a model of work readiness, the SASC also defines a set of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) that each graduate must be able to perform, relevant to each speciality area. An EPA is an essential discipline task entrusted to a learner without requiring direct supervision.…”

Australian sonographer competency—A new framework

“…This paper introduces a new competency framework for Australian sonographers, providing an overview of each component and acts as a compendium to the full competency framework 21 https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17148035.v2) An overview of the project methodology and results are briefly described in this paper; a more detailed account has been provided in an earlier publication 22 …”

“…21 (available at https:// doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17148035.v2) An overview of the project methodology and results are briefly described in this paper; a more detailed account has been provided in an earlier publication. 22…”

Making the transition from student to newly qualified vascular sonographer: An exploration of the domains of professionalism

“…Recent developments in the literature focus on the need for the development and integration of professional competency frameworks in sonography in Australia, which are aimed at the qualified sonographer. 5 This paper aims to focus on the newly qualified sonographer so as to provide suggestions and strategies for making the transition from student to health-care professional a successful one. Making this step can induce negative responses such as 'reality shock' as the individual adjusts to the demands of their new role, including "bridging the theory/practice gap, coping with workloads, feeling incompetent, no time to reflect" 4 .…”