Australian graduate radiographers' perspectives and experiences of work readiness.

INTRODUCTION: Graduate radiographers entering their qualified positions need to orientate and familiarise themselves with a rapidly changing work environment to deliver a high standard of diagnostic imaging services. During this transitional phase, these newcomers also strive to meet self-expectations and workplace expectations. This study was performed to understand the work readiness perspectives and initial experiences of graduate radiographers on beginning their newly qualified roles. METHODS: The study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to collect data through individual semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews with 14 purposively sampled undergraduate and postgraduate radiographers. The rich data were transcribed verbatim and then thematically analysed. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged: (1) preparing to be 'work-ready', (2) initial encounters as qualified radiographers, (3) personal and professional challenges and (4) support strategies and advice for new graduates. CONCLUSIONS: New graduate radiographers face many personal and professional challenges but agree that they thrive in supportive collegial environments. Most participants had a high perspective of their work readiness strongly related to their clinical placements as students, workplace familiarity, support networks and coping strategies. Further review into individual workplace orientations by organisation leaders may benefit the immersion and enhancement of graduate radiographers' initial experiences in their new role.

Radiation Protection among South African Diagnostic Radiographers-A Mixed Method Study.

ABSTRACT: Worldwide, radiographers' radiation protection practices vary. In South Africa, evidence of diagnostic radiographers' suboptimal radiation protection practices has been reported, but the reasons for these practices and suggestions to improve practices were lacking. Therefore, this study explored radiation protection among South African diagnostic radiographers. This study used an explanatory, sequential, mixed-method approach. Data were collected in three phases. Phase I, the quantitative phase, used an online questionnaire and respondents from Phase I interested in participating in Phase II, the qualitative phase, were interviewed, yielding 13 in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews. In Phase III, eight radiography managers co-constructed change strategies to optimize radiation protection in South Africa in two focus group interviews. Radiation protection was suboptimal despite diagnostic radiographers having a good attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control toward radiation protection and optimal radiation protection knowledge. Varying attitudes to radiation protection, lack of resources, and support from radiography management and healthcare teams contributed to suboptimal radiation protection practices. Radiography managers suggested increasing radiation protection awareness, ameliorating the diminished stature of the radiographer in the healthcare team, and increasing the availability of optimal quality resources. South African diagnostic radiographers' radiation protection knowledge was optimal, but the implementation of radiation protection varied and was influenced by multiple factors. A radiation protection culture supported by management is advocated to optimize radiation protection. However, ultimately radiation protection practices are incumbent on the individual radiographers' choice to practice radiation protection.

An exploratory study on recently qualified Australian radiographers' expectations and experiences in emergency and trauma imaging.

BACKGROUND: Radiographers provide imaging services in multiple healthcare settings, including emergency and trauma. Transitioning to a qualified radiographer is already a time of vulnerability - with the increasing complexity and unpredictable nature of the emergency and trauma healthcare environment, recently qualified radiographers may experience this environment distinct from other service delivery areas. OBJECTIVE: The study explored recently qualified radiographers' expectations and experiences in emergency and trauma imaging service delivery. METHODS: An inductive qualitative phenomenological approach with a purposive sampling technique recruited recently qualified radiographers (n=19) involved in the delivery of emergency and trauma imaging services. Transcribed semi-structured individual interviews were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Two themes and related categories were identified: 1. The multiplexity of diagnostic emergency and trauma imaging service delivery and 2. Approaching the complex nature of emergency and trauma imaging. CONCLUSION: The expectations and experiences of emergency and trauma imaging varied, aligned to previous exposure to emergency and trauma imaging. Even though emergency and trauma imaging was challenging, the fast pace, patient dynamics and multidisciplinary deliverance; the experience was considered rewarding and an opportunity to improve skills. Participants coped through debriefing and calming strategies; however, radiology-specific debriefing was recommended to further foster the recently qualified radiographers' well-being.

Using the theory of planned behaviour to determine radiation protection among South African diagnostic radiographers: a cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: The use of ionising radiation in medicine accounts for the majority of radiation exposure from artificial sources. Therefore, all measures to safeguard against unnecessary radiation exposure must be taken. As radiographers are central to radiation protection, this study aimed to determine South African radiographers' attitude towards radiation protection, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control concerning radiation protection. METHODS: This quantitative cross-sectional study used an online theory of a planned behaviour radiation protection questionnaire shared through social media platforms from August 2019 to February 2020. Diagnostic radiographers registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and employed at radiology departments in South Africa were invited to participate in the study. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventeen radiographers in South Africa responded to the questionnaire. The majority of respondents (90%, n = 376) plan to use radiation protection; however, only 16% continuously used radiation protection in the past. Respondents felt that using radiation protection was extremely good (72.2%), pleasant (47%), beneficial (74.1%), rewarding (55.2%) and worth the time (52.5%); 57% of respondents indicated that using radiation protection takes longer to complete the examination. Respondents report that approval from patients (43.5%), patients' family (32%), radiographer coworkers (31%), radiology managers (47%) and radiologists (43.9%) is very much important to them. CONCLUSION: The study shows that even though fewer respondents use radiation protection at present, most respondents plan and intend to use radiation protection measures. Respondents felt that radiation protection was good and beneficial, with some respondents feeling that radiation protection is not worth the time, which coincide with lengthening the examination. Overall, South African radiographers' attitudes towards radiation protection, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and radiation protection intention were high.

Ethnographic mosaic approach for health and rehabilitation practitioners: an ethno-radiographic perspective.

This methodological commentary focuses on the use of ethnography for health and rehabilitation practitioners. In recent years, ethnography has become a methodology of choice amongst diagnostic radiography researchers at uncovering phenomena pertinent to the clinical setting. This paper adds to the evidence base by providing not only a methodology account from two experienced researchers, but also offers a paradigmatic approach to ethnography that incorporates qualitative and quantitative approaches. It details an alternate ideological discourse in alignment with the role of a diagnostic radiographer, which can be replicated in other disciplines and thus offering an array of empirical opportunity for prospective health and rehabilitation practitioners.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis paper provides an introduction into the use of ethnography for health and rehabilitation practitioners.The authors reflect on the value of ethnography in order to satisfy a researcher's aims and objectives.The authors provide an "umbrella strategy" that can be used by other prospective health and rehabilitation researchers.It is argued here that this methodology offers an alternate strategy of uncovering new ideas and research data.

A Survey Exploring Personalised Medicine amongst Radiography Academics within the United Kingdom.

INTRODUCTION: This article explores the application of personalized medicine (PM) within the academic environment in the United Kingdom. There is a growing acceptance of the utility of PM in health care and the role medical imaging can play. In response, this article explored the views and opinions of diagnostic and therapeutic academics and the utilization of PM in education. METHODS: This study primarily adopted a quantitative approach using an online survey. However, participants were also encouraged to provide qualitative comments in response to open-ended questions. The survey was distributed to radiography and radiotherapy academic departments, which received a response rate of 29%. RESULTS: The findings identify some important considerations. On the one hand some participants reported teaching PM on their programmes (24%, n = 16), whereas 30% (n = 20) did not. Importantly, the remaining academics (46%) were either unsure or did not know what PM was. This finding, coincided with qualitative commentary, highlights some discrepancies linked to knowledge and understanding of PM within higher education and highlights areas where academics may need additional support. CONCLUSION: This article concludes by recognizing the challenges of delivering PM by some academics. It is noted that although the findings cannot be fully generalized, it does highlight fragmented understanding of PM among academic staff. This is important to reflect upon following the increasing requirements for radiography to become "more personalized."

Ethnography for Radiographers: A Methodological Insight for Prospective Researchers.

In recent years, ethnography has become a methodology of choice for exploring radiographic practices. This article adds to the existing evidence base by providing detailed methodological accounts of two experienced researchers. It aims to provide a critical methodological lens to prospective researchers who may also use ethnography as their methodology of choice. The author's reflect on their experiences of utilising ethnography as a methodological approach. Here, accounts of the original tools aligned to undertaking ethnographic research in radiography are discussed and how these can be used to uncover original phenomena. The article identifies the researchers' own positionality and reflexivity as researchers and how this impacted on data collection. In short, this article provides a detailed account of undertaking ethnography as a methodological approach within diagnostic radiography. The experiences documented can provide prospective researchers an insight of the researchers' position within the fieldwork.

The Use of Digital Side Markers (DSMs) and Cropping in Digital Radiography.

INTRODUCTION: This article explores two phenomena in the general radiography environment-the increasing use of digital side markers (DSMs) by radiographers and the possibility for radiographers to "crop" radiographs post-exposure. This article offers originality by identifying the rationales of radiographers when using digital equipment. METHODS: This study formed part of a larger ethnographic study undertaken in the United Kingdom (UK). Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used. Overt participant observation identified cropping and DSM placement within the X-ray room. Semi-structured interviews later supported and/or refuted the rationale for DSMs and cropping clinically. RESULTS: Two themes are discussed. First, radiographers support the use of DSMs by suggesting that mistakes will happen regardless of using an ASM and/or DSM. Furthermore, it is proposed that ASMs and DSMs can be interchangeably used in practice. Second, radiographers acknowledge the use of cropping ensuring their radiographs resemble "a textbook image." This leads to question the optimum use of collimation in the clinical environment and how it may go unnoticed. CONCLUSION: This article concludes by recognizing some challenges digital radiography currently provides. The rationale and continuing use of DSMs and cropping of radiographs by radiographers highlights alternate complexities with digital technology in the clinical environment and how we may best overcome such challenges that influence the profession.

Personalised Medicine and Medical Imaging: Opportunities and Challenges for Contemporary Health Care.

This commentary offers a contemporary perspective on personalised medicine (PM) within diagnostic radiography. PM refers to the use of a person's genetic information in tailoring strategies for the detection, treatment, or prevention of disease. Some key issues are raised in light of this new specialty and how it may affect diagnostic imaging. First, technological and commercial drivers are outlined, supported with ethical considerations. The authors then offer some future challenges that remain evident within the literature. The aim of this article is to begin to acknowledge the importance of PM, but most importantly, identify aspects where diagnostic imaging plays a pivotal role.