Medicolegal responsibilities for the administration of intravenous contrast media by radiographers: Radiologists' perspectives

Background. Global trends in the delivery of healthcare services have placed tremendous strain on resources, among them human and capital. With this has emerged the need to revisit the job requirements and/or scope of practice of cadres within a profession, to ensure adequate training where needed. The administration of intravenous contrast media (IVCM), a fundamental element of expertise within the radiology field, is an example of such evolution in South Africa (SA). Currently falling within radiologists' scope of practice, it has become necessary for radiographers to extend their own scope to include this skill, owing to the national shortage of radiologists and subsequent service delivery constraints, as well as the need to close the gap with international trends.Objective. To provide a synopsis of the perspectives of radiologists on the medicolegal responsibilities related to the administration of IVCM by radiographers.Methods. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design was conducted, targeting qualified radiologists in KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN). An online questionnaire was administered through SurveyMonkey that provided information on the medicolegal responsibilities associated with the administration of IVCM.Results. Of a total of 97 qualified radiologists in KZN, a response rate of 48.5% (n=47) was obtained. The majority of respondents felt that radiographers should be responsible for obtaining informed patient consent (66.0%), and deciding on the site of IVCM administration (72.3%). It was also felt that the radiologists should remain responsible for decisions regarding the type and dose of IVCM (87.2%) and managing the possible complications and adverse reactions due to the administration of IVCM (78.7%).Conclusion. Evidence-based research provides a contextualised approach towards addressing transformation in service delivery and training needs. This study, in demonstrating the importance of appropriate medicolegal responsibilities in the extension of a professional role, forms a basis for informing the future training of radiographers in SA

Training requirements for the administration of intravenous contrast media by radiographers: Radiologists' perspective

Background. The administration of intravenous contrast media (IVCM) is one of the key areas currently under investigation for inclusion in the South African (SA) radiographers' scope of practice. However, for the radiographers to legally administer IVCM, training guidelines must first be identified, developed and accredited by the Health Professions Council of SA.Objective. To investigate the radiologists' perspective of the knowledge, skills and medicolegal training required of radiographers for the administration of IVCM to provide input for the development of national training guidelines. Methods. A quantitative, cross-sectional research study using an online survey, administered by SurveyMonkey, was conducted. The target population included all radiologists residing and practising in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, SA.Results. Fifty-nine participants (60.8%) completed the online survey. Twelve were excluded owing to incomplete surveys, resulting in a final response rate of 48.5% (n=47). The study revealed that various theoretical, clinical/practical and medicolegal study units should be included in the training, i.e. the study of the pharmacology of contrast media, practical training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic life support, as well as the rights and responsibilities of a healthcare professional. In addition, both theory and practical/clinical assessments need to be included.Conclusion. Key data have been provided for the development of national training guidelines for radiographers to administer IVCM, based on scientific evidence that is relevant to the SA context. The study may be of value to other related health professions where scopes of practice are expanded through transforming the education and training curricula