In May 2025 I celebrated 50 years as a sonographer. Looking back over those 5 decades shows how far we have come as a profession and what an incredible journey it has been. From using Australia’s first commercial B mode grey scale systems with eight shades of grey, being one of the first cardiac and vascular sonographers, creating scanning protocols and courses to training future generations – it has been a privilege. This brief presentation looks back on what has been an adventure of a lifetime.

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has evolved from the first trauma surgeons who introduced FAST scans to assess emergent patients for haemorrhage in the 1980s. A technological and clinical revolution has been occurring in ultrasound. There have been dramatic growth in sales of POCUS devices and the increased adoption of this new technology by healthcare professionals globally. This revolution has brought significant benefits particularly in resource poor environments, but it has not been without controversy and disruption. This talk will look at the history of POCUS, current controversies, recent research about sonographers in POCUS and the ways in which sonographers might constructively engage in this changing landscape.

This presentation explores key developments shaping the future of the sonography profession, focusing on workforce and training, policy reforms and emerging technologies.
Workforce shortages continue to challenge service delivery, and while more education pathways are now available, their impact on workforce growth remains limited. Expanding training capacity demands stronger collaboration between universities, industry, and government to create sustained clinical placement opportunities. The Australian Universities Accord offers a potential framework for addressing these challenges, but it remains unclear how these will positively benefit the profession.
Credentialing and scope of practice are also evolving, with growing momentum for national regulation, structured career pathways, and advanced roles for experienced sonographers. At the policy level, the Medicare review of allied health and broader health reforms may influence referral pathways and funding.
Technological advances—particularly in artificial intelligence—offer significant promise, but the extent of their disruption to clinical practice remains uncertain. AI-assisted scanning, remote image acquisition, and automation are increasingly discussed, yet questions persist around their implementation, impact on professional boundaries, and the evolving role of sonographers. As these tools emerge, sonographers will be critical in shaping best practices, ensuring quality, and maintaining patient-centred care within an increasingly technology-enhanced environment.