Reporting radiographers within the European Federation of Radiographer Society (EFRS) member countries - motivation for becoming a reporting radiographer.

INTRODUCTION: Radiographer-led reporting originated in the United Kingdom as a strategy to reduce reporting backlog and time taken to report images. The effectiveness of reporting radiographers has been demonstrated, but their motivational factors have not been thoroughly explored. This survey aims to understand the incentives for radiographers to pursue postgraduate education in reporting radiography across Europe. METHODS: An online survey was conducted, collecting data across a range of topics such as demographic information, professional role, and job satisfaction. Questions assessing the influence of motivational factors on the decision to become a reporting radiographer are presented in this study. Descriptive statistics characterized the respondents' demographics. The motivational aspects were analysed quantitatively by regression analyses. Thematic analyses were performed for the free text responses on motivational aspects. RESULTS: 239 respondents from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ireland, and Malta completed the survey's motivation section. Increased knowledge and new challenges were the most motivating factors for becoming a reporting radiographer, while less exposure to radiation and less patient contact were the least motivating factors. Job satisfaction was a significant motivator. Gender significantly correlated with the importance of social connections for female reporting radiographers. A cross-country comparison showed that title and position and job security were more important for reporting radiographers from the UK. CONCLUSION: Taking in consideration that a sample of 239 is not generalisable for the role, this survey does provides insights into the motivation behind being a reporting radiographer in Europe. Factors such as increased knowledge, new challenges, and job satisfaction play significant roles. Hindrances experienced by reporting radiographers included lack of time, support, and standards, while aspirations for further professional development were expressed. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A thorough understanding of the motivation behind pursuing postgraduate studies in reporting radiography is a valuable tool for managers, aiding in fostering a positive work environment and attracting/keeping qualified personnel. The findings of this study can be employed in the development of strategies to support and enhance the practice of reporting radiographers.

Reducing the endoscopic workload: does serological testing for Helicobacter pylori help?

OBJECTIVE: Serological screening for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in young (< or = 45 years) dyspeptic patients has been used to avoid oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD). We used serology to identify seronegative and seropositive patients without sinister symptoms and combined approaches of avoiding OGD in both groups. We aimed to determine the reduction of OGD in this group. DESIGN: Prospective study on the treatment of 232 patients with dyspepsia. SETTING: Six hundred and fifty bed district general hospital serving rural Northamptonshire, UK. INTERVENTIONS: Two hundred and thirty-two patients referred by local general practitioners for OGD were offered serology. Symptom severity was scored using a questionnaire. One hundred and eleven seronegative patients received symptomatic treatment, 105 seropositive patients received triple therapy for 1 week. Sixteen patients with equivocal results were offered OGD. Patients were followed up after 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of dyspepsia symptoms and proportion of patients returning for OGD. RESULTS: Fifteen equivocal patients underwent OGD, one refused. Forty-six patients (33 seronegative, 13 seropositive) had persisting symptoms and underwent OGD. Mean symptom severity was reduced significantly in equivocal (P<0.01), seronegative (P<0.001) and seropositive (P<0.001) patients. Fewer seronegative patients were symptom-free at follow up compared to seropositive patients (n = 15 (16%) vs n = 48 (51%); P<0.001), 171 patients avoided OGD, a 74% reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Use of H. pylori serology in the management of young dyspeptic patients without sinister symptoms can reduce the OGD workload by 74%, decreasing the length of time that older patients, who are at greater risk of malignant disease, may have to wait for OGD.

Comparison of tetracaine-adrenaline-cocaine (TAC) with topical lidocaine-epinephrine (TLE): efficacy and cost.

Topical anesthesia in the form of TAC (tetracaine, adrenaline, cocaine) solution has been used for wound repair. This pilot study was designed to determine if the topical anesthesia achieved using a mixture of lidocaine (5%) and epinephrine (1:2000) (TLE) is equivalent to the topical anesthesia obtained using a solution of tetracaine (0.5%), epinephrine (1: 2000), and cocaine (10.4%) (TAC). A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial was carried out from May 1992 to August 1992 at a community-based teaching hospital Emergency Department (ED) that receives 50,000 annual visits. Patients with facial or scalp lacerations suitable for topical anesthesia presenting to the ED were included when study physicians were in attendance. Exclusion criteria included the presence of a sensory altering substance (eg, ethanol), age younger than two years, hypertension, pregnancy, allergy to any of the study's pharmacological agents, wounds greater than six hours old, grossly contaminated wounds, and wounds longer than six centimeters. Either a TAC or TLE solution was applied to lacerations before suturing. The laceration was repaired and the patient or physician evaluated the degree of pain from the procedure by using a standardized visual pain scale. A total of 35 patients were studied. Seventeen patients were in the TLE group; 18 in the TAC group. The mean ages were compared and found to be similar (P = .40) between the two test groups. The pain scale values, the diameter of tissue blanch around laceration (halo size), and the time to laceration repair from the onset of application of anesthetic were compared and no difference was shown between the TAC and TLE groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)