Redox dysregulation in imaging professionals occupationally exposed to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

Purpose: Imaging professionals are occupationally exposed to chronic ionizing radiation (IR) and non-ionizing radiation (NIR). This study aimed to investigate the influence of occupational radiation exposure on oxidative stress and antioxidant levels based on blood biomarkers in different hospital imaging professional groups.Materials and methods: The study groups included 66 imaging professionals occupationally exposed to IR (n = 58, 43 diagnostic radiography (G1), seven nuclear medicine (G2), eight radiation therapy (G3)), and NIR (n = 8, ultrasound imaging (G4)) and 60 non-exposed controls. Blood levels of superoxide (O2•-) as an index of oxidative stress, and the antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG), and catalase (CAT) were measured.Results: The blood values of O2•-, SOD, and CAT were significantly higher in imaging professionals occupationally exposed to radiation than in the control group (p < .05), while a significant decrease in the ratio of GSH/GSSG was observed (p < .05). The results from the NIR group were significantly higher compared to IR group.Conclusions: Based on these results, chronic exposure to radiation (IR and NIR) is associated with redox dysregulation that may result in damages to cellular biomolecules including lipids, proteins and DNA. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of redox dysregulation and the need for periodic examination among imaging professionals occupationally exposed to IR and NIR.

Interprofessional Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training of Resident Physicians by Sonography Student-Coaches.

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education is growing throughout medical education, but many institutions lack POCUS-trained faculty. Interprofessional education offers a strategy for expanding the pool of available teachers while providing an opportunity for collaboration between health professional students. Methods: Six students enrolled in the diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) program participated in a case-based, train-the-trainer session to practice a standardized approach for POCUS instruction. They then served as coaches to 25 first-year internal medicine residents learning to perform ultrasound exams of the kidneys, bladder, and aorta. Course assessment included an objective structured exam (OSCE), coaching evaluations, and course evaluations. Results: Residents scored an average of 81% (71.3 out of 88 points, SD = 7.5) on the OSCE. Residents rated the DMS student-coaches positively on all teacher evaluation questions. Both the residents and DMS student-coaches gave positive course evaluations scores. Discussion: An interprofessional workshop with DMS students coaching internal medicine residents was an effective strategy for teaching POCUS skills. This approach may offer a solution for programs wanting to implement POCUS training with limited faculty expertise or time.

A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Medical Residents' Attitudes Towards Interprofessional Learning and Stereotypes Following Sonography Student-Led Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training is growing across internal medicine graduate medical education, but lack of trained faculty is a barrier to many programs. Interprofessional education (IPE) may offer a solution but must overcome potential biases of trainees. AIM: To evaluate the impact of an interprofessional POCUS training on residents' attitudes towards interprofessional learning and stereotypes. SETTING: Midwestern health sciences university. PARTICIPANTS: Diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) students (n = 13) served as teachers for first-year internal medicine residents (IMR) (n = 49). PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: DMS students participated in a train-the-trainer session to learn teaching strategies via case-based simulation, then coached IMR to acquire images of the kidneys, bladder, and aorta on live models. PROGRAM EVALUATION: Mixed-methods evaluation, including pre-/post-surveys and focus group interviews. The survey response rate was 100% (49/49 IMR). Composite survey scores evaluating residents' attitudes towards IPE and stereotyping of sonographers improved significantly following the intervention. Qualitative analysis of focus group interviews yielded four themes: enhanced respect for other disciplines, implications for future practice, increased confidence of DMS students, and interest in future IPE opportunities. DISCUSSION: Interprofessional POCUS education can improve residents' perceptions towards IPE, increase their level of respect for sonographers, and motivate interest in future interprofessional collaboration.

Building a bigger tent in point-of-care ultrasound education: a mixed-methods evaluation of interprofessional, near-peer teaching of internal medicine residents by sonography students.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) training is expanding in undergraduate and graduate medical education, but lack of trained faculty is a major barrier. Two strategies that may help mitigate this obstacle are interprofessional education (IPE) and near-peer teaching. The objective of this study was to evaluate a POCUS course in which diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) students served as near-peer teachers for internal medicine residents (IMR) learning to perform abdominal sonography. METHODS: Prior to the IPE workshop, DMS students participated in a train-the-trainer session to practice teaching and communication skills via case-based simulation. DMS students then coached first-year IMR to perform POCUS examinations of the kidney, bladder, and gallbladder on live models. A mixed-methods evaluation of the interprofessional workshop included an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE), course evaluation, and qualitative analysis of focus group interviews. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 24 (100%) IMR completed the OSCE, averaging 97.7/107 points (91.3%) (SD 5.2). Course evaluations from IMR and DMS students were globally positive. Twenty three of 24 residents (96%) and 6/6 DMS students (100%) participated in focus group interviews. Qualitative analysis identified themes related to the learning environment, scanning technique, and suggestions for improvement. IMR felt the interprofessional training fostered a positive learning environment and that the experience complimented traditional faculty-led workshops. Both groups noted the importance of establishing mutual understanding of expectations and suggested future workshops have more dedicated time for DMS student demonstration of scanning technique. CONCLUSION: An interprofessional, near-peer workshop was an effective strategy for teaching POCUS to IMR. This approach may allow broader adoption of POCUS in medical education, especially when faculty expertise is limited.

Radiography Student Participation in Professional Organizations.

PURPOSE: To gather data on educational program requirements for student membership in a state or national professional society, organization, or association. METHODS: A 10-question online survey about student involvement in professional societies was emailed to 616 directors of Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)-accredited radiography programs. RESULTS: A total of 219 responses were received, for a 36% response rate. Of these, 89 respondents (41%) answered that their programs require students to join a professional organization. The society respondents most often required (70%) was a state radiography society. Sixty respondents (68%) answered that students join a society at the beginning of the radiography program (from matriculation to 3 months in). Of programs requiring student membership in professional societies, 42 (49%) reported that their students attend the state or national society annual conference; however, participation in activities at the conferences and in the society throughout the year is lower than conference attendance. DISCUSSION: Some directors stated that although their programs' policies do not allow membership mandates, they encourage students to become members, primarily so that they can access webinars and other educational materials or information related to the profession. CONCLUSION: Survey data showed that most JRCERT-accredited radiography programs support but do not require student membership in professional organizations. The data reveal that more programs have added those requirements in recent years. Increased student participation could be realized if programs mandated membership and supported it financially.

Current Employment Practices and Future Preferences for Multicredentialed Technologists in Nebraska.

A study was conducted to determine the current employment practices and future preferences of Nebraska hospitals regarding multicredentialed technologists. A survey was mailed to 104 hospital radi- ology departments in the state of Nebraska, asking for voluntary and confidential responses by radiology managers charged with hiring of radiologic technologists with a response rate of 51%. Nearly all respondents (93%) said it was very likely or fairly likely that they would hire a multicredentialed technologist in the future. Results suggest that there is a trend among Nebraska hospital radiology managers toward needing or hiring multicredentialed radiologic technologists in the future. There appears to be a greater emphasis in the pairing of credentialing in diagnostic radiography with computed tomography, ultra- sound, and mammography in current and future needs.