Radiography

INTRODUCTION: In the UK it is commonplace for patients completing radiotherapy to be invited to ring a bell as a form of celebration. The project aimed to explore the experiences of the end of treatment bell from the perspective of patients who had received treatment for cancer, and therapeutic radiographers who treat patients. The study also aimed to consider possible alternative methods of commemorating the EoT, considering the needs of patients, family members and healthcare professionals...

INTRODUCTION: In response to the critical need for enhancing breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts, this study explored the understanding of challenges and requirements for implementing supplementary breast cancer screening for such women among clinical radiographers and radiologists in Europe. METHOD: Fourteen (14) semi-structured online interviews were conducted with European clinical radiologists (n = 5) and radiographers (n = 9) specializing in breast cancer screening from 8 different countries: Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom...

INTRODUCTION: Adapting radiotherapy services with workforce innovation using skills-mix or task-shifting optimises resources, supporting current and future demands. Advanced practitioners (APs) work at a different level of practice (beyond initial registration) across four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research. There is limited cross-country research on the advanced therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists (TR/RTTs), particularly in Europe...

INTRODUCTION: Acoustic noise from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can cause hearing loss and needs to be mitigated to ensure the safety of patients and personnel. Capturing MR personnel's insights is crucial for guiding the development and future applications of noise-reduction technology. This study aimed to explore how MR radiographers manage acoustic noise in clinical MR settings. METHODS: Using a qualitative design, we conducted semi-structured individual interviews with fifteen MR radiographers from fifteen hospitals around Sweden...

INTRODUCTION: The presence of two modes of three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA), both intended for cranial applications with similar protocol names ('cerebral' and 'head limited' with no explanation on what the phrase 'limited' represent), had caused some degree of difficulty with the clinicians and radiographers on deciding which mode to select for which task. This study was aimed to use an in-house phantom to assist with this clinical issue of 3DRA usage in terms of mode selection...

INTRODUCTION: The SAFE EUROPE project, a European-funded project, addressed educational gaps of Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) by offering a series of free webinars. This study aimed to assess the quality of these webinars and their impact on professional practice. METHODS: Data collection involved two methods: an automated feedback form administered after each webinar, supplemented by a survey disseminated through social media. The collected data encompassed attendance statistics, participants' professions and geographic locations, webinar quality assessment, the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, the application of this newfound knowledge in practice, and the likelihood of recommending these webinars...

BACKGROUND: Strategies targeted at the five pillars of sustainability (social, human, economic, ecological and environmental) can be used to improve sustainability of clinical or research practices in nuclear medicine. KEY FINDINGS: While the core principle of sustainability is ensuring depletion does not exceed regeneration, this manuscript considers the balance of benefits and detriments of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across the five pillars of sustainability...

INTRODUCTION: New Zealand's shortage of medical imaging technicians has intensified due to factors like illness, the pandemic, and an ageing workforce. Addressing staff retention issues requires attention to intrinsic factors like workplace satisfaction and work-life balance. Self-rostering has proven effective in healthcare by enhancing work-life balance, job satisfaction, and retention, but it has not been implemented widely in radiology. This study aimed to explore the perceptions, benefits, and challenges of implementing AI-generated self-rostering in a radiology department through simulated trials...

INTRODUCTION: Contemporary healthcare models recognise person-centred care (PCC) as a fundamental principle of quality, safe care. While substantial literature exists on PCC in healthcare generally, there is less evidence on how this relates to medical imaging and radiation therapy. Embedding patient-lived experiences of healthcare into healthcare education has promise in enhancing students' confidence in delivering PCC. Digital storytelling (DST) of patient-lived experiences can help improve reflection, understanding, critical thinking and empathy...

INTRODUCTION: Strict safety practices are essential to ensure the safety of patients and staff in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Training regarding the fundamentals of MRI safety is well-established and commonly agreed upon. However, more complex aspect of screening patients, such as image review or screening of unconscious patients/patients with communication difficulties is less well discussed. The current UK and USA guidelines do not suggest the use of communication training for MRI staff nor indicate any training to encourage reviewing images in the screening process...

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment for certain anatomy locations can be extremely challenging due to patient positioning and potential motion. This present study describes the treatment of a recurrent tenosynovial giant cell tumor of the plantar forefoot using the ExAblate 2100 system in combination with patient immobilization device. METHODS: Prior to the treatment, several patient immobilization devices were investigated...

INTRODUCTION: The practice of sonography in the United Arab Emirates is evolving rapidly. This study explores the professional landscape and challenges of sonography practice in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on identifying areas for improvement in education, practice scope, and professional development. METHODS: Employing qualitative methodologies, using focus group discussions and thematic analysis, this research gathers insights from practicing sonographers across various healthcare settings in the UAE to assess current practices, educational needs, and workplace challenges...

INTRODUCTION: Suboptimal radiation protection evidenced in literature necessitated the development of a theory to optimise radiation protection. To develop a theory, concept analysis of the central concept guiding the theory is required to provide explicit theoretical and operational definitions. This article presents the concept analysis of the central concept of 'facilitating a transformative radiation protection environment' used to develop a theory to optimise radiation protection...

INTRODUCTION: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that GPs initially refer patients with suspected lung cancer for a chest X-ray (CXR). The Radiology department has a 'fast track system' to identify those patients who may have lung cancer on CXR and are referred for a CT thorax with contrast to help determine a cancer diagnosis. This fast track system was put in place to ensure the NICE guidelines and NHS England's standards on a faster cancer diagnosis are being met...

INTRODUCTION: Metal artefact reduction software (MAR) can be used to improve Computed Tomography (CT) image quality in the presence of implanted metalwork; however, this software is not effective for superficial metallic structures such as cochlear implants (CI). This study aimed to investigate whether the effectiveness of MAR software could be improved for brain scans with CI present through the use of tissue mimicking materials (TMM) placed exteriorly to the implant. METHODS: In this two-part study, a CI was positioned on the surface of water and anthropomorphic phantoms and imaged using a helical CT brain protocol...

INTRODUCTION: The exploration of Advanced Practice (AP) in both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography has become a prominent topic of discussion within the radiographic community, prompting an investigation into radiographers' perceptions and the current global status of advanced roles. This study aimed collect data on radiography and radiation therapy AP career paths, and understand radiographers' perceptions of advanced practice at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2020. METHODS: A concise, 15-question web-based survey was distributed through the EFRS Research Hub during ECR 2020...

INTRODUCTION: The referral is the basis for radiologists' assessment of modality, protocol and urgency, and insufficient information may threaten patient safety. The aim of this study was to assess the completeness of referrals for lower extremity venous duplex ultrasonography (LEVDUS) and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), and to investigate associations between the provided clinical information including risk factors, symptoms and lab results in the referrals and positive findings of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), respectively...

INTRODUCTION: Exposure factor selection influences ionising radiation dose and image quality in projection radiography. Radiographers have a duty to comply with legislation, ensuring doses (resulting from exposure factor selection) are kept ALARP. Hence, this paper aims to explore variation in patient habitus perceptions among final-year student radiographers and any influence on imparted dose due to exposure factor selection. METHODS: Institutional ethics was granted...

INTRODUCTION: Radiographers are responsible for protecting foetuses against ionising radiation and must screen all individuals for pregnancy prior to a pelvic X-ray examination following new guidance from the Society of Radiographers. This includes male, female, transgender, non-binary and intersex patients. Student diagnostic radiographers learn to undertake this screening so this project was designed to understand their attitudes towards doing so. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted with third-year students on the BSc Diagnostic Radiography programme at a University in the North West of England...

INTRODUCTION: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the domain of radiography holds substantial potential in various aspects including workflow efficiency, image processing, patient positioning, and quality assurance. The successful implementation of AI within a Radiology department necessitates the participation of key stakeholders, particularly radiographers. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive investigation about Nordic radiographers' perspectives and attitudes towards AI in radiography...