The perceptions and willingness of radiographers to extend their roles and become reporting radiographers in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increase in the need for diagnostic imaging services globally, which is faster than the capacity of radiologists. The current workforce model is not sustainable due to the predicted aging of the population and the contraction of the healthcare workforce. By extending the role of radiographers to a specific range of radiological reporting tasks. It may be possible to meet demand and relieve some pressure on radiologists and increase radiographer satisfaction and retention. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions, and willingness of the Abu Dhabi radiographers to extend their role as reporting radiographers in skeleton radiography. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among radiographers in the UAE. The on-line questionnaire was designed to obtain demographic information about radiographers, their qualifications, their professional experience, their postgraduate training, their plans for professional development, as well as their interest in future career opportunities related to extended roles. RESULTS: This study had a response rate of 50% (n = 60). The government sector accounted for 75.3% of the survey's participants, while the private sector accounted for 24.7%. The main gains for role advancement were identified by 58.3% of the participants who were confident to start interpreting the upper and lower extremities in the emergency room (ER), and 86.3% were willing to be reporting radiographers. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the Abu Dhabi radiographers are willing to extend their role in the interpretation of general X-ray images of skeletons. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Curriculum development in radiography and medical imaging education jointly with licensing health authority bodies is required to plan for the new radiographer reporting role.

Assessment of Nursing Students' Awareness toward Ionizing Radiation: Cross-Sectional Study.

Among healthcare workers, nurses are considered the core of healthcare auth-info services in healthcare facilities because of their responsibilities and duties toward patients. All healthcare professionals, especially nurses, must be completely knowledgeable about the hazards of ionizing radiation, and the most effective radiation protection techniques. This study assessed the attitude and awareness toward radiation protection among final-year nursing students in the Fatima College of Health Sciences (FCHS) campuses. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and April 2022. A total of 200 out of 224 female participants ranging from 18 to 30 years old agreed to participate in the study. The highest percentage of final-year nursing students did not attend any radiation protection course (52%). The results of the last section of the survey indicate a lack of awareness of basic radiation protection knowledge among final-year nursing students in FCHS campuses (less than 80%). The results showed a lack of knowledge and poor attitude toward radiation hazards and radiation protection from final-year nursing students in the FCHS. Formal education about basic radiation and radiation is recommended in the nursing program for safe clinical practice.

The Role of Molecular Imaging in Personalized Medicine.

The concept of personalized medicine refers to the tailoring of medical treatment to each patient's unique characteristics. Scientific advancements have led to a better understanding of how a person's unique molecular and genetic profile makes them susceptible to certain diseases. It provides individualized medical treatments that will be safe and effective for each patient. Molecular imaging modalities play an essential role in this aspect. They are used widely in screening, detection and diagnosis, treatment, assessing disease heterogeneity and progression planning, molecular characteristics, and long-term follow-up. In contrast to conventional imaging approaches, molecular imaging techniques approach images as the knowledge that can be processed, allowing for the collection of relevant knowledge in addition to the evaluation of enormous patient groups. This review presents the fundamental role of molecular imaging modalities in personalized medicine.

Radiopharmaceutical Treatments for Cancer Therapy, Radionuclides Characteristics, Applications, and Challenges.

Advances in the field of molecular biology have had an impact on biomedical applications, which provide greater hope for both imaging and therapeutics. Work has been intensified on the development of radionuclides and their application in radiopharmaceuticals (RPS) which will certainly influence and expand therapeutic approaches in the future treatment of patients. Alpha or beta particles and Auger electrons are used for therapy purposes, and each has advantages and disadvantages. The radionuclides labeled drug delivery system will deliver the particles to the specific targeting cell. Different radioligands can be chosen to uniquely target molecular receptors or intracellular components, making them suitable for personal patient-tailored therapy in modern cancer therapy management. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled nanoparticle drug delivery systems that can allow for specific multivalent attachment of targeted molecules of antibodies, peptides, or ligands to the surface of nanoparticles for therapy and imaging purposes. This review presents fundamental radionuclide properties with particular reference to tumor biology and receptor characteristic of radiopharmaceutical targeted therapy development.

The Impact of COVID-19 Crisis on the Control and Management of Radiography Practice in the United Arab Emirates.

The present study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on radiology practices in Abu Dhabi, UAE. An electronic survey (Google form) was distributed among Abu Dhabi government and private hospitals. The survey included general X-ray services, which were only provided in the radiology departments. The diagnostic radiographers who reported changes in the number and type of radiology procedures (37%) reported that the changes reached 61-80% compared to the number of procedures being conducted prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. While infection control was challenging due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), 51.2% of the participants were affected. The healthcare workers in the radiology departments in Abu Dhabi are exposed to a high number of COVID-19-infection patients, which increases their chances of contracting the disease. A total of 90% of employees were infected with COVID-19 during the crisis. COVID-19 has resulted in changes in clinical working patterns, such as the type and number of procedures performed daily. Additionally, PPE shortages, staff infection during the pandemic, an increase in workplace-related difficulties, and staff well-being are common consequences of the pandemic. It is vital to enhance coping strategies in order to support staff well-being. However, the psychological effects caused as a result of the pandemic should not be ignored, and providing professional support to workers is recommended.