Designing a breast support device for phase contrast tomographic imaging: getting ready for a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To design a device that can support the breast during phase-contrast tomography, and characterise its fit parameterisation and comfort rating. METHODS: 27 participants were recruited to trial a system for breast support during simulated phase contrast imaging, including being positioned on a prone imaging table while wearing the device. Participants underwent a photogrammetry analysis to establish the geometric parameterisations. All participants trialled a single-cup design while 14 participants also trialled a double-cup with suction holder and all completed a series of questionnaires to understand subjective comfort. RESULTS: Photogrammetry revealed significant positive correlations between bra cup volume and measured prone volume (p < 0.001), and between "best fit" single-cup holder volume and measured prone volume (p < 0.005). Both holders were suitable devices in terms of subjective comfort and immobilisation while stationary. However, some re-engineering to allow for quick, easy fitting in future trials where rotation through the radiation beam will occur is necessary. Light suction was well-tolerated when required. CONCLUSION: All participants indicated the table and breast support devices were comfortable, and they would continue in the trial. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Phase contrast tomography is an emerging breast imaging modality and clinical trials are commencing internationally. This paper describes the biomedical engineering designs, in parallel with optimal imaging, that are necessary to measure breast volume so that adequate breast support can be achieved. Breast support devices have implications for comfort, motion correction and maximising breast tissue visualisation.

Examining the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Attributes and Workplace Experience of Australian Chief Radiographers.

INTRODUCTION: Emotional intelligence (EI) is a person's ability to control their emotions and be empathetic and it influences how a person interacts with others. EI has been linked to strong job performance parameters such as leadership, and is an important attribute for health leaders, including chief radiographers. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between EI scores and leadership attributes of Australian chief radiographers. METHODS: A pilot study with a cross-sectional survey design was used. A convenience sample of potential participants (n = 70) were contacted and given unique codes to access the United Kingdom's National Health Service Leadership Self-Assessment Tool (LSAT) and the Trait-EI Questionnaire Short-Form (TEIQue-SF). Demographic information was collected on age, years of experience, and hospital size. In total, 22 chief radiographers from NSW and Victoria from a variety of medical imaging departments completed the TEIQue-SF, and 18 completed both questionnaires. Spearman's rank-order correlation and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for analysis. RESULTS: Chief radiographers from larger hospitals (>500 beds, n = 6) had lower scores for the TEIQue-SF sociability factor than smaller hospitals (P = .057; n = 22). Chief radiographers with <10 years' experience (n = 6) had higher scores for the LSAT "Developing Capability" dimensions than those with more experience (P = .043; n = 18). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated relationships between years of experience, hospital size, EI, and leadership behaviours of Australian chief radiographers. Overall, increasing years of experience as a chief radiographer was associated with a reduction across some EI and LSAT factors. The findings could be used as a starting point to provide increased support to senior leaders of the profession to aid leadership and job performance.

Patient Recruitment in Radiation Therapy Research: An Evaluation of Local Challenges.

INTRODUCTION: Locally-initiated research studies in radiation therapy (RT) aim to substantiate clinical processes and are an effective approach to gather evidence for advances in patient care, new techniques, and protocols. The aim of this study was to retrospectively quantify recruitment challenges at a radiation oncology network (RON). METHODS: Five locally initiated studies were included for analysis through the criteria of being undertaken within 2001-2017, initiated through local research teams, and having recruitment records available. Data extraction from each study included duration, aims, patient activities, recruitment strategy, target number of participants, and number of participants who were recruited/not recruited and who withdrew from the study. Reasons for nonregistration and withdrawal were recorded if available. Two studies are presented as case studies. RESULTS: Included studies were diverse in patient population and study aim and included patient immobilization (lung and breast cancer), evaluation of radiation-induced esophagitis, documentation of anatomical and dosimetric changes in patients with head and neck cancer, and education (breast cancer). The exclusion of non-English-speaking patients, which is significant for the RON, which covers a wide cultural and linguistic diversity, was an important limiting factor, along with RT patients' disinterest in participation. DISCUSSION: Challenges experienced in the evaluated RON studies are similar to non-RT clinical trials and included difficulties with patients interacting with study protocol, health practitioners' influence, and patient-related inclusion issues. CONCLUSION: The resulting database provides a foundation for continued monitoring and documentation of study recruitment practice, which could elicit positive effects on planning and implementation of future patient recruitment strategies in RT locally initiated studies.

Emotional Intelligence Throughout the Lifecycle of Australian Radiographers.

PURPOSE: To measure global and domain trait emotional intelligence (EI) throughout the professional lifecycle of Australian radiographers and report the trends. METHODS: A combination retrospective and prospective cross-sectional multiple-cohort study using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQue-SF) was designed to collect global and domain trait EI scores of several populations, including radiography students (n = 95), inexperienced radiographers (0-5 years' experience; n = 94), experienced radiographers (≥ 6 years' experience; n = 451), chief radiographers (n = 107), clinical educators (n = 24), application specialists (n = 24), and radiographers working in education (n = 15). Mean EI scores were calculated and statistical tests were performed to determine whether significant differences existed among the groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found among populations for global EI and the domains of self-control and well-being, with students demonstrating consistently lower scores than qualified radiographers (P ≥ .001). Chief radiographers demonstrated higher scores for well-being than inexperienced radiographers, radiographers working in education, and students (P < .001). Global EI scores increased steadily throughout the professional lifecycle of Australian radiographers, plateauing at 10 years of clinical experience. DISCUSSION: Chief radiographers demonstrated the highest scores for well-being, which is consistent with prior research acknowledging the importance of EI in organizational leadership. Students demonstrated lower EI scores likely because they are at the beginning of their careers and might not yet perceive themselves as confident or successful. Higher EI scores are expected in normal career advancement, plateauing at about 10 years of clinical experience. CONCLUSION: A statistically significant difference exists between global and domain trait EI scores throughout the professional lifecycle of Australian radiologic technologists. Global trait EI scores showed a marked increase after 6 years of clinical experience, indicating that clinical experience might have an effect on trait EI scores.

A benchmarking and comparative analysis of emotional intelligence in student and qualified radiographers: an international study.

INTRODUCTION: Emotional intelligence (EI) has been identified as an important trait for healthcare students and healthcare professionals alike and is a predictor of improved work performance and patient satisfaction. In this paper, we benchmark an international cohort of radiography students and compare their scores to those of known qualified practitioner and normative data. METHODS: EI scores were at commencement from radiography degree programmes at four universities in Australia, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom using the short form of the trait EI questionnaire (TEIQue-SF), which yields a Global score and four sub-factors. In total 293 students chose to participate. RESULTS: For the Australian combined Irish and UK groups, there were significant differences in Global EI and three of the four sub-factors between students and qualified radiographers (Australia: students = 5.01, qualified = 5.27; P ≤ 0.01) (Irish/UK students = 5.04, qualified = 5.28; P ≤ 0.01). When compared to the UK normative data, there was a significant difference for Global EI between the UK students and the UK norm data set (students = 4.71, normative = 4.99; P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study provides benchmarking data for an international radiography student group. The clear differences of higher EI scores for qualified practicing radiographers when compared to student score opens discussion of the impact of academic and clinical practicum as a contributing factor in EI skills development.