5 minute read
Pioneering remote care: ASA Rural and Remote Sonographer of the Year, Sadie Atkins
When Sadie Atkins boards a small charter plane bound for a remote Northern Territory community, she knows she’s not just carrying her ultrasound machine, she’s carrying vital healthcare to people who might otherwise go without. The first-ever recipient of the ASA’s Rural and Remote Sonographer of the Year award this year, Sadie has built her career on resilience, adaptability, and a passion for connection. In this interview, she shares what drives her, the misconceptions she hopes to challenge, and the memorable moments that have shaped her journey in remote sonography.
What first inspired you to take your sonography career into rural and remote practice?
Coming from a small community allows people to build strong, collaborative working relationships with other healthcare professionals – whether it’s doctors, midwives, nurses, or allied health staff.
In a rural setting, we’re not just colleagues; we’re part of a close-knit team working towards a shared goal where we trust and support each other. That connection enhances communication, trust, and ultimately, patient care. Working remotely also enables professionals to develop broader skills –independence, adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership.
I love living remotely. Rural life allows for a slower, more grounded pace, where you’re not constantly rushing. You can focus on what matters most –family, work you care about and time outdoors.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about healthcare in rural and remote areas?
Being in a remote setting can sometimes lead to the misconception that we are behind the times or not in touch with the latest advances in our field. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Despite the challenges of distance and limited access, we are deeply committed to staying current through continued education – whether that’s through online learning platforms, professional development, or participating in yearly ultrasound workshops. We understand that providing high quality care means staying informed, and we make it a priority to bring the latest knowledge and best practices to the communities we serve.
The remote ultrasound service involves travelling in small, chartered aircraft, often accompanied only by the pilot.
There is also the misconception that being in a remote area means limited medical services. However, using a portable ultrasound machine ensures that no location is out of reach. We operate across vast distances, travelling by small, chartered aircraft to remote Indigenous communities throughout the Northern Territory and Arnhem Land. Our team provides diagnostic imaging in a range of settings – scanning patients in local renal units during dialysis, attending to individuals during GP visits, and delivering essential ultrasound services within the correctional system. This model demonstrates that high quality, patient-centred care can be effectively delivered even in resource-limited and geographically isolated environments.
What has been one of the most surprising or unexpected experiences you’ve had while working in a remote community?
Working in remote communities has provided me with many memorable experiences over the years. The remote ultrasound service involves travelling in small, chartered aircraft, often accompanied only by the pilot. Even just reaching these communities can be unpredictable, particularly during our tropical wet season. On one occasion, after flying all the way to Maningrida in the North Central coast of Arnhem Land, we were unable to land due to a buffalo refusing to move off the runway. There have been times when landings were aborted because of severe electrical storms or unexpected encounters with flocks of birds.
One time, I shared a return charter flight with a patient and her midwife after detecting abnormal obstetric Dopplers during a scan. Upon arrival in Darwin, I was able to personally drop them directly at the hospital, highlighting the integrated nature of our remote service delivery.
Remote sonographers play a crucial role in bridging the healthcare gap, especially in rural or underserved communities.
One particularly special moment was my first visit to the Mutitjulu community at the base of Uluru. The flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta was breathtaking. On another trip, with some spare time, the pilot kindly offered a scenic flight over Kakadu National Park – an unforgettable experience.
You are the first recipient of the ASA’s Rural and Remote Sonographer of the Year award. What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?
No achievement is ever accomplished in isolation – it is the result of the unwavering support and dedication of a loyal team. I do not view this award as a personal accolade, but rather as a tribute to all the sonographers of the Northern Territory, whose tireless efforts and passion ensure the delivery of high quality care, even in the most remote regions of our Territory. Professionally, I hope this recognition serves as an inspiration to our students, demonstrating the rewarding and diverse career that lies ahead of them. Their enthusiasm and commitment to learning continue to inspire and motivate us all.
How do you hope this award will inspire or influence others working in rural and remote healthcare?
To realise that sonography can be flexible, impactful, and a deeply rewarding profession. Remote sonographers play a crucial role in bridging the healthcare gap, especially in rural or underserved communities.
Their work reinforces the principle that patient outcomes are improved when dedicated professionals are behind the scenes. I also hope this award encourages more sonographers to consider joining our team and embracing the unique and meaningful experiences that come with delivering care in remote settings.
Looking ahead, what’s one change or innovation you’d love to see that could make your work easier or improve patient care in remote settings? Air-conditioning, a patient bed that can move up and down, a chair to sit on while scanning, and a flushing toilet, ha ha! The simple things in life!
