Dan Rae has been kicking around the sono world for a while now. When he’s not in the clinic, he’s creating fun and informative bite sized education for his Insta account Vascular Bites or providing talks to groups large and small. Did we mention he’s a FELLOW OF THE ASA?! Here’s a bit about what lights his sono-fire!
Give us your sono-stats!
I’ve been a sonographer for over 14 years now and consider myself a general sonographer with a passion for vascular ultrasound and education.
What gets you out of the scanning room?
I’ve been presenting now for 12 years at a local, national and international level. I’m looking for new ways to deliver education, because sonographers are curious creatures! I’m passionate about encouraging other sonographers into the mentoring and presenting world. At Western Sydney University we’ve just started a mentorship program where newly graduated vascular sonographers are paired with a 2nd year student (mentee). These programs are mutually beneficial where mentees get guidance, and the mentors learn new leadership and soft skills.
When you take on teaching you become a better sonographer yourself, because a sonographer will ask you questions you might not have thought of!
Where have you presented and where do you want to present?
I’m just about to take off to Tanzania thanks to Rad-Aid, to teach the residents there about vascular ultrasound. This should be a real eye opener for myself…I might also take in a Safari while I’m there! I’ve also been lucky enough to present as the one of the Nation Keynote speakers at the ASA conference in 2019. I would really be keen to present in rural Australia, where opportunities to attend workshops aren’t as easy to come by compared to the larger population centres.
Has anything changed the way you teach in recent years?
People learn in many different ways, but with the presence of social media, this has given a platform for microlearning – taking in short bursts of education in a non-formal setting. This was really the reason why I started @vascular_bites on Instagram, it has opened up a global community who are interested in vascular education. On the flip side, I’ve learned so much from the people who have engaged in the page.
That all being said, my favourite style of teaching still has to be face-face workshops. I find getting a sonographer’s hands on the probe is such an effective way of learning.
Any funny or interesting experiences presenting?!
I was presenting in New Zealand and we were drowned out every now and again by the sound of ambulances. Sometimes unexpected thing happen and the presentation doesn’t quite go to plan. That’s ok, you just have to roll with it. First time presenters can get nervous that someone will ask a question they don’t know or they’ll fumble a part, I get that…but 99% of the time the audience have your back and are keen to hear what you have to say. So if your interested in presenting give it a crack!…you never know, you might even enjoy it! ?
Follow Dan on Insta @vascular_bites to pick up useful tips and tricks, evidence-based know-how and digestible takeaways from any interesting or new articles! If you want to discuss face to face education, get in touch! Vascularbites@outlook.com
FYI…There is no monetary exchange for any of the content in our blog or newsletters. We simply like to spread the word about interesting people, places and opportunities in the sono-world.