Enhancing awareness of the diagnostic medical sonography professions: a high school outreach program

The purpose of this project was to develop a presentation that can be used to increase the number of high school students who recognize diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) professions as career alternatives and will consider pursuing DMS careers. An interactive program was developed that includes a digital presentation, question-and-answer session, and scanning demonstration. The program was presented to students at their high schools. Handout materials were provided, and a questionnaire was distributed to obtain feedback regarding the program's content and effectiveness. Refinements to the program were made based on feedback. A Student t test was used to determine the statistical significance of changes in students' level of knowledge about DMS and their interest in pursuing a DMS career before and after the program. The student-preferred component of the program was assessed by 1-way analysis of variance. Six programs were provided to a total of 148 high school students. Of 120 students who returned questionnaires, 90% indicated that their level of knowledge of DMS increased after the program, and 60% indicated that their level of interest in pursuing a DMS career had increased. The increases in both knowledge and interest were statistically significant (P < .0001). Forty-nine percent of students indicated that the scanning demonstration was the most interesting aspect of the program. This program was very well received by students and teachers. It significantly improved students' knowledge about DMS and their interest in pursuing a DMS career. Presentation materials used in this program are available to DMS professionals who would like to provide similar programs to students in their geographic areas. The PowerPoint presentation and related documents can be downloaded from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine's website at http://www.aium.org/misc/dms.aspx.