Time for Change? A Commentary on Scan Time Guidelines in Australasian Sonography

ABSTRACT Despite the growing volume and complexity of ultrasound examinations across Australia and New Zealand, formal scan time guidelines remain absent. This commentary examines the implications of unregulated scan durations on diagnostic quality, patient safety and sonographer wellbeing. Drawing on recent Australasian research, it highlights the disconnect between appointment length and actual transducer time, with many sonographers reporting time pressures that compromise care, contribute to work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and lead to burnout. International models from the United Kingdom and Canada offer structured approaches to scan time allocation, integrating allowances for complexity, teaching and reporting. Adopting similar standards in Australasia could support consistent care, sustainable workloads and improved workforce retention. The commentary argues that development should be collaborative, involving sonographers across public and private sectors and be adaptable to diverse practice settings. As the profession evolves, establishing scan time benchmarks is not only a practical necessity but an ethical imperative. Time is a finite resource; how we manage it will define the future of sonography.