Alumni, radiographers, clinical placement tutors and industry insights about current radiographers practice, competences and autonomy in western Switzerland.

INTRODUCTION: Radiographers' profession is constantly evolving, which demands adaptation of education and training programs to build up medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals (MIRTPs) that provide healthcare to improve patient experience and outcomes. This study aimed to map radiographers' practices, competences, and autonomy level in Western Switzerland. METHODS: Data was collected by 2 cross-sectional online surveys targeting Alumni, radiographers, clinical placement tutors and medical imaging equipment specialists from industry, with opened and closed-end questions. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: 81 Alumni and 93 Chief-Radiographers, clinical tutors, practitioner-radiographers and industry answered the questionnaires. The competences considered as the most "acquired or completely acquired" by the Alumni were: adopt a reflective posture on practice (90.1 %; 73/81), adopt ethical behaviour (90.1 %; 73/81), carrying out and providing radiological services for diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive purposes (81.5 %; 68/81), adapting communication to the other surrounding persons (81.5 %; 66/81), and check compliance of procedures with standards (69.1 %; 56/81). Similar results were referred by Employers. The autonomy of the participant radiographers was considered as average, and it focuses only the preparation of the patient and the protocol optimisation. The development and integration of research is weak as well as the application of competences regarding professionalism. CONCLUSIONS: A better link between educational institutions and clinical practice can help on the integration of research and evidence-based on practice, necessary to progress the radiographers' profession in Western Switzerland. The autonomy needs to be further developed and leadership courses must be integrated in the curricula to facilitate the implementation of new approaches to reinforce radiographer's profession. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Practice must be revised to integrate evidence-based; to facilitate research development, the managers need to increase support.

Assessment of the viability of integrating virtual reality programs in practical tests for the Korean Radiological Technologists Licensing Examination: a survey study

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of incorporating virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) programs into practical tests administered as part of the Korean Radiological Technologists Licensing Examination (KRTLE). This evaluation is grounded in a comprehensive survey that targeted enrolled students in departments of radiology across the nation. METHODS: In total, 682 students from radiology departments across the nation were participants in the survey. An online survey platform was used, and the questionnaire was structured into 5 distinct sections and 27 questions. A frequency analysis for each section of the survey was conducted using IBM SPSS ver. 27.0. RESULTS: Direct or indirect exposure to VR/AR content was reported by 67.7% of all respondents. Furthermore, 55.4% of the respondents expressed that VR/AR could be integrated into their classes, which signified a widespread acknowledgment of VR among the students. With regards to the integration of a VR/AR or mixed reality program into the practical tests for purposes of the KRTLE, a substantial amount of the respondents (57.3%) exhibited a positive inclination and recommended its introduction. CONCLUSION: The application of VR/AR programs within practical tests of the KRTLE will be used as an alternative for evaluating clinical examination procedures and validating job skills.

The radiology department as a sentinel in fall prevention among Filipino older adult patients.

Accidental falls are a serious yet underreported form of adverse event in hospitals. Falls account for the leading cause of injury and mortality among older adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021 reported that an estimated 64,000 individuals die annually from falls globally. In the Philippines, about 53.6% of older Filipinos are experiencing falls from a small population-specific setting and they are more likely to experience functional declines than the younger population. The radiology departments and radiologic technologists (RTs) play a vital role in preventing accidental falls among Filipino older adult patients. Despite the existing safety standards promulgated by national health agencies, awareness of healthcare professionals such as radiologic technologists (RTs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as the Philippines remains limited. As such, promoting a safety culture is deemed a main strategy for patient safety from adverse occurrences of falls among Filipino older adults. In doing so, there is a need to establish an incident reporting system for sentinel events, develop risk assessment tools, and define the needed competencies of RTs in preventing catastrophic falls involving Filipino older adult patients. To the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first of its kind to better understand the safety and predisposing risks for falling among older adults in the field of radiology in the Philippines.

Perceptions of Radiation Safety Culture Among Radiography, Computed Tomography, And Mammography Technologists.

PURPOSE: To investigate determinants of radiation safety culture among radiologic technologists to determine whether factors related to the primary imaging modality affect the perception of workplace radiation safety. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on deidentified data from 425 radiologic technologists collected with the Radiation Actions and Dimensions of Radiation Safety (RADS) questionnaire, a 35-item survey with valid and reliable psychometric properties. The data included radiologic technologists working in radiography, computed tomography (CT), and mammography. Descriptive statistics were used to report RADS determinant outcomes by imaging discipline, and 1-way analysis of variance and Games-Howell post hoc tests were conducted to analyze the hypothesis. RESULTS: Mean differences in the radiologic technologists' perceptions of teamwork across imaging stakeholders pertaining to radiation safety were found (P < .001). Mammographers had the most favorable perceptions of teamwork compared with radiographers and CT technologists. DISCUSSION: Collaboration in mammography between imaging stakeholders is dictated by professional practice standards and federal law. The resultant engagement might influence mammographers' perceptions of radiation safety. Additional research is warranted to determine if perception differences exist among technologists in other modalities and whether intentional collaboration drives improved perceptions of radiation safety culture. CONCLUSION: An analysis of the collaborative actions in the mammography department is needed, and the findings could be applied in radiography and CT to improve perceptions of radiation safety-related teamwork.

Perceptions of Radiation Safety Culture in Medical Imaging by Role.

PURPOSE: To determine whether radiologic technologists' perceptions of determinants of radiation safety culture differ significantly based on their primary role. METHODS: A secondary analysis of deidentified data from 425 radiologic technologists who participated in the Radiation Actions and Dimensions of Radiation Safety questionnaire, a 35-item survey with valid and reliable psychometric properties, was performed. Nine determinants (dependent variables) of radiation safety culture were analyzed in this study. The radiologic technologists worked primarily as staff technologists; shift, team, or modality leads; and managers or directors. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze differences in favorability for the determinants of radiation safety culture by primary role. Games-Howell post hoc tests were conducted to analyze the hypothesis for each determinant. RESULTS: Four determinants demonstrated significant differences with appropriate observed power between staff technologists, leads, and managers and directors: questioning attitude (P < .001), feedback loops (P < .001), leadership actions (P < .001), and nonpunitive response (P < .001). DISCUSSION: The findings indicate that dialogue is needed between all stakeholders to improve the radiation safety culture and that power imbalances caused by the hierarchical system should be considered when seeking to improve the safety culture. CONCLUSION: Positional hierarchies in the medical imaging profession affect the perception of radiation safety, with managers and directors having different perceptions of leadership actions, questioning attitudes, feedback loops, and nonpunitive responses than staff technologists. Therefore, radiologic technologist subgroups must be included purposefully in the process of establishing a radiation safety culture in the imaging department.

Online Clinical Briefing for Radiologic Technology Students in Covid-19 Pandemic Outbreak: Efficiency, Application, and Feedback of Students.

Objective: To evaluate students' satisfaction and efficacy of online clinical briefing for radiologic technology students. The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency, the possibility of application, and students' feedback with the new form of clinical briefing during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 120 full-time radiologic technology students after participating in online clinical briefing sessions at the Department of Radiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. This training approach was implemented for students from April to July 2021. During the briefing, participants were asked to discuss on cases that were prepared by the previous on-duty nightshift students with the consultant of the senior staff. The discussion focused on the technical aspects, challenges, and clinical implementation of each technique. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the responses of students using the Likert scale (1. Complete disagree, 2. Disagree, 3. Satisfy, 4. Partial agree, 5. Complete agree). Results: Our findings show that 76.5% of students were very satisfied and/or satisfied with the online clinical briefing. In particular, the mean score for satisfaction with teaching resources and platforms, and assessment tools were 4.21; less fear in giving feedback than on-site briefings were 3.57; satisfaction with faculty accessibility and availability in giving feedback as well as answering questions for students was 4.29; satisfaction with student's performance and final grade was 3.55. 94.2% of students were willing to continue studying online during the COVID-19 breakout or similar circumstances. Conclusion: Online clinical briefing is an appropriate teaching approach during a prolonged COVID-19 breakout. However, it cannot completely replace traditional teaching methods in providing essential clinical skills for radiologic technology students due to the unique characteristics of medicine and medical imaging teaching which require a substantial amount of clinical practice.

Effective Risk Communications through Personalized Consultations with Pregnant Women and Parents by Radiologic Technologists after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster.

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami that occurred in March 2011 not only resulted in the loss of many human lives due to earthquakes and tsunamis, but also led to the occurrence of nuclear accidents involving the widespread diffuse release of radioactive materials at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). The nuclear accident created great apprehension among residents of the Fukushima Prefecture, where the FDNPP is located, and residents of Northeastern Japan outside of Fukushima, such as the south region of the Miyagi Prefecture, which is adjacent to the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture. The Miyagi Prefecture is located approximately 50 to 120 km from the FDNPP. In Miyagi before the nuclear accident, nuclear disaster drills including respondent to residents' anxieties had been conducted at Onagawa Town, Ishinomaki City and prefectural office, and radiologic technologists had participated in the drills. In the face of the actual nuclear disaster, radiologic technologists carried out personalized consultation activities with the aim of eliminating anxiety among pregnant women and parents with infants at two local governments in the south region of Miyagi. After the activities, we conducted questionnaire survey on the activities, and were able to obtain evaluations and various opinions. This paper discusses regarding the efforts to personalized consultation and the results of questionnaire survey conducted by the radiologic technologists in the southern Miyagi following the FDNPP accident.

Job Satisfaction of Radiographers in Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: To examine the various facets of job satisfaction among radiographers in Saudi Arabia and compare the influential contributing factors locally and internationally. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June and July 2020 with an electronic questionnaire distributed to radiographers in Saudi Arabia. The validated Job Satisfaction Survey was used to measure overall job satisfaction and specific satisfaction regarding pay, promotions, supervision, benefits, contingent rewards, operating conditions, coworkers, nature of work, and communication (total Job Satisfaction Survey score can range from 36 to 216). Additional personal and work-related characteristics were collected as explanatory variables. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including 1-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, and Spearman correlation. RESULTS: A total of 412 radiographers in Saudi Arabia completed the survey. The total job satisfaction score was 140.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 138.7-141.2), showing that 6 respondents (1.5%) were dissatisfied with their job, while the remaining majority were neutral (63%) or satisfied (36%). The radiographers were satisfied with the nature of work, contingent rewards, and coworkers. However, they were less satisfied with promotions, pay, operating conditions, and benefits. The only significant variable in overall job satisfaction was the working sector (P = .03), with radiographers working at Ministry of Health hospitals who were more satisfied than were their colleagues who worked at other types of facilities. DISCUSSION: The radiographers in Saudi Arabia had higher overall job satisfaction than had other allied health science professionals in Saudi Arabia. The differences in job satisfaction subscales between radiographers from different countries suggest that their job satisfaction likely is related to culture and socioeconomics. Job satisfaction improvement programs should be tailored for each radiographer's community. CONCLUSION: Radiographers in Saudi Arabia expressed moderate to high job satisfaction, which is relatively higher than their international peers and national colleagues in physical therapy and nursing. These job satisfaction results call for governmental policymakers to focus their efforts on improving radiographer promotion schemes and career development.

Awareness of Medical Radiologic Technologists of Ionizing Radiation and Radiation Protection.

Japanese people experienced the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, the Japan Nuclear Fuel Conversion Co. criticality accident, it was found that many human resources are needed to respond to residents' concerns about disaster exposure in the event of a radiation disaster. Medical radiologic technologists learn about radiation from the time of their training, and are engaged in routine radiographic work, examination explanations, medical exposure counseling, and radiation protection of staff. By learning about nuclear disasters and counseling, we believe they can address residents' concerns. In order to identify items needed for training, we examined the perceptions of medical radiologic technologists in the case of different specialties, modalities and radiation doses. In 2016, 5 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, we conducted a survey of 57 medical radiologic technologists at two medical facilities with different specialties and work contents to investigate their attitudes toward radiation. 42 participants answered questions regarding sex, age group, presence of children, health effects of radiation exposure, radiation control, generation of X rays by diagnostic X ray equipment, and radiation related units. In a comparison of 38 items other than demographic data, 14 showed no significant differences and 24 showed significant differences. This study found that perceptions of radiation were different among radiology technologists at facilities with different specialties. The survey suggested the possibility of identifying needed training items and providing effective training.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Radiographers: An Exploration of Self-reported Symptoms.

PURPOSE: To explore self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in radiographers registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in the United States. There is a gap in the literature focusing on the unique set of risk factors for radiographers. METHODS: A subset of ARRT radiographers received an email invitation to complete an online survey that included questions about their experience with musculoskeletal symptoms and their exposure to potential risk factors for those symptoms. RESULTS: Out of the 635 ARRT credentialed, nonretired radiographers who completed the survey, 81% reported experiencing pain or discomfort while performing patient cases. Through logistic regression statistical modeling, a set of 4 personal factors (including poorer perceptions of health and sleep quality), 1 work demographic factor (working in fluoroscopy), and 3 psychosocial work factors (including perceptions of higher physically demanding workload and work pressure and stress) were identified in differentiating radiographers who experience pain or discomfort when performing patient cases from those who do not. DISCUSSION: Consistent with prior research, these results indicate multiple work-related factors, including physical and psychosocial work factors, appear to be associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in radiographers. Ideas for addressing these risk factors are discussed, as well as opportunities for radiography managers and academics to collaborate in evaluating the effectiveness of intervention ideas when deployed in practice. CONCLUSION: Although this study is cross-sectional, these results can be used to inform intervention efforts, such as limiting or rotating work duties in fluoroscopy, reducing other physically demanding aspects of work, addressing understaffing, which increases work pressure in many ways, and promoting employee self-care practices.

Qualitative study to explore radiologist and radiologic technologist perceptions of outcomes patients experience during imaging in the USA.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the patient-centred outcomes (PCOs) radiologists and radiologic technologists perceive to be important to patients undergoing imaging procedures. DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative study of individual semi-structured interviews. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited multiple types of radiologists including general, musculoskeletal neuroradiology, body and breast imagers as well as X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI radiologic technologists from Washington and Idaho. OUTCOME: Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes and subthemes related to PCOs of imaging procedures. RESULTS: Ten radiologists and six radiology technologists participated. Four main domains of PCOs were identified: emotions, physical factors, knowledge and patient burden. In addition to these outcomes, we also identified patient and provider factors that can potentially moderate these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologists and technologists perceived outcomes related to the effect of imaging procedures on patients' emotions, physical well-being, knowledge and burden from financial and opportunity costs to be important to patients undergoing imaging procedures. There are opportunities for the radiology community to measure and use these PCOs in comparisons of imaging procedures and potentially identify areas where these outcomes can be leveraged to drive a more patient-centred approach to radiology.

Radiology department strategies to protect radiologic technologists against COVID19: Experience from Wuhan.

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a huge threat to global public health security. In the absence of specific antiviral medicines to prevent or treat COVID-19, it is essential to detect the infected patients at an early stage and immediately isolate them from the healthy population. In view of the advantages of sensitivity and high spatial resolution, CT imaging has played an important role in screening and diagnosing of COVID-19 in China. The radiologic technologists performing CT scans for the infected patients become high-risk medical care personnel. It is critical for the radiology department to ensure the personal safety of radiologic technologists and avoid cross-infection. In this review article, we describe the systematic strategies to combat COVID-19 from the radiology department in Tongji hospital in Wuhan, P.R. China, including personnel arrangements, environmental modification, protection levels and configurations, radiological imaging (CT and radiography), and disinfection methods. It can provide guidance to other radiology departments faced with COVID-19 to reduce infection risk for radiologic technologists.

Perceptions of Visible Body Art Among Radiographers.

PURPOSE: To determine the perceptions among radiographers of visible tattoos and nontraditional body piercings (piercings other than traditional pierced earlobes) in the clinical setting. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved survey was delivered electronically to radiography clinical preceptors working at hospitals affiliated with a radiography program in the South Central part of the United States. Discussion board forum posts about the survey were created in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Communities, targeting radiographers throughout the United States. Responses were collected for 4 weeks and compared quantitatively using linear regression, logistic regression, and chi-square analysis. Qualitative results were examined for themes, and proportions among themes were reported. RESULTS: A total of 943 valid responses were received from radiographers working in the United States. Acceptance of body art was lower among individuals without tattoos compared with those who have tattoos (P < .001). Individuals without piercings had a lower acceptance of piercings compared with those who have piercings (P < .001). Acceptance was lower for those who have tattoos but cover them at work compared with those who have visible tattoos at work (P < .001). Acceptance was not statistically significant among those who have piercings who cover them compared with those who have visible nontraditional piercings at work (P = .073). Respondents believed it was more acceptable for members of the public to display a tattoo than for radiographers to display a tattoo at work (P < .001). However, acceptability was higher (P < .001) when the radiographer's tattoo was medically related. DISCUSSION: Research links visible body art with negative perceptions of professionalism and skill set ability in other professions, but no studies have addressed radiography. This study reflects findings similar to those professions. A negative perception exists among radiographers regarding the display of body art while working, even among those who have body art. However, the subject of a tattoo might matter more than the location of a tattoo in terms of acceptability. These results have implications for the credibility and appropriateness of radiographers who display body art in the clinical setting because it might adversely affect the perceptions of co-workers and the perceptions of patient care provided during imaging services, and might affect hospital policy management. CONCLUSION: Among radiographers working in the United States, a negative perception exists regarding visible body art such as tattoos and nontraditional piercings in the health care setting. Implications include negative perceptions of radiographers displaying body art while working. Future research might influence policy implementation as hospitals work to continually improve satisfaction scores and perceptions of care received.

Cumulative solar ultraviolet radiation exposure and basal cell carcinoma of the skin in a nationwide US cohort using satellite and ground-based measures.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC) is the most common cancer in populations of European ancestry. Although consistently linked with basal cell carcinoma of the skin in case-control studies, few prospective cohort studies have evaluated the shape of the exposure-response of basal cell carcinoma associated with cumulative radiant solar ultraviolet exposure (UVR). METHODS: We followed 63,912 white cancer-free US radiologic technologists from entry (1983-1998) to exit (2003-2005) with known ultraviolet irradiance at up to 5 residential locations. Using generalized-additive and relative risk models we analyzed the exposure-response of basal cell carcinomas associated with ambient cumulative ultraviolet radiant exposure using ground-based National Solar Radiation database Average Daily Total Global data and satellite-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer data. RESULTS: There were 2151 technologists with an incident primary basal cell carcinoma. Risk of basal cell carcinoma rose with increasing cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure using both measures, such that 1 MJ cm- 2 increased basal cell carcinoma risk by 8.48 (95% CI 5.22, 11.09, p < 0.001) and by 10.15 (95% CI 6.67, 13.10, p < 0.001) per 10,000 persons per year using the Average Daily Total Global and Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer ultraviolet data, respectively; relative risk was likewise elevated. There was some evidence of upward curvature in the cumulative ultraviolet exposure response using both exposure measures with a greater increase in risk of basal cell carcinoma at higher levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure, but less evidence for curvature in relative risk. There are indications of substantial variation of relative risk with time after exposure and age at exposure, so that risk is highest for the period 10-14 years after ultraviolet radiation exposure and for those exposed under the age of 25. CONCLUSIONS: We observed increases in risk of basal cell carcinoma and a similar exposure-response for ground-based and satellite ultraviolet radiation measures. Our observations suggest that interventions should concentrate on persons with higher levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure.

Radiología médico-legal: un dilema ético para el técnico en radiología / Medical-legal radiology: an ethical dilemma for radiology technician / Radiologia médico-legal: um dilema ético para o técnico de Radiologia

Resumen: Las exploraciones radiológicas médico-legales incluyen exposiciones médicas a radiaciones que se realizan por orden judicial a una persona que no está enferma. El técnico o tecnólogo médico en radiología tiene el deber de minimizar las dosis a pacientes y a la población en su conjunto; por ello, realizar este tipo de exploraciones entra en conflicto con las máximas de la protección radiológica y de su código ético. Presentamos un estudio de revisión donde se analiza si estas prácticas médicas son contrarias a la ética profesional del técnico en radiología.

Abstract: The medico-legal, radiological examinations include those medical exposures to radiation conducted by court order a person who is not sick. The radiologic technologist has a duty to minimize the dose to patients and the population as a whole, therefore, make this type of exploration conflicts with the maximum of Radiation Protection and its ethical code. We present a review study where we analyze whether these medical practices are contrary to professional ethics of the Radiologic technologist.

Resumo: As explorações radiológicas médico-legais incluem aquelas exposições médicas a radiações que se realizam por ordem judicial a uma pessoa que não está doente. O técnico ou tecnólogo médico em radiologia tem o dever de minimizar a dose para os pacientes e a população como um todo; portanto, realizar este tipo de exploração entra em conflito com os princípios da proteção radiológica e de seu código de ética. Apresentamos um estudo de revisão no qual analisamos se estas práticas médicas são contrárias à ética profissional do técnico em radiologia.

Radiography Students' Learning: A Literature Review.

PURPOSE: To describe research methodology and findings concerning radiography students' learning. METHODS: Health sciences databases were searched to perform a traditional narrative literature review. Thirty-five peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2014 were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Specific methods of learning were found to be of the most interest. The studies focused primarily on the use and usability of a method or the students' general experiences of it. The most commonly studied methods were e-learning and interprofessional learning, which students perceived as positive methods for theoretical studies and clinical training. Students' learning regarding research was the focus of only one article reporting a wide variety of students' research interests. Most studies reported quantitative research gathered from questionnaires and surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Additional research, especially from a qualitative point of view, is needed to deepen the evidence-based knowledge of radiography student learning.