Advanced MSK practice -my journey.
This presentation will outline the process I have undertaken in my pursuit of ultrasound-guided MSK injections. From the beginning, over a decade ago, to now. How I got started, the barriers and challenges, the education and training. Right through to the Qld Health application and subsequent approval to administer pharmaceuticals. And importantly, where we need to head as a profession to further expand this in the right way.

The ASA has been pursuing AHPRA registration for sonographers in Australia for over a decade and met with continual resistance from governments. Undeterred by the state of political entropy relating to government regulation, the ASA has worked with a variety of stakeholders across the sector to raise professional standards in the current self-regulatory environment, including the development of a Scope of Practice for Sonographers, a revised Code of Conduct, and a suite of professional practice standards and guidelines for sonographers. This presentation will reflect on the current impasse regarding statutory regulation, opportunities for change with the recent Government reviews on scope of practice and regulation, and where the ASA can take a leadership role to support sonographers to deliver the highest standards of patient-centred contemporary healthcare.

Effective supervision is essential for supporting the workforce and ensuring the proper training of students within the profession. The ASA aims to develop a framework to standardise supervision practices and provide structured guidance to enhance the quality of sonography training. This lecture will outline the rationale behind this initiative, the steps undertaken, and the potential positive and negative impacts. Additionally, it will discuss the anticipated outcomes, challenges faced during implementation, and strategies for continuous improvement.