Burnout Among Saudi Radiographers.

Introduction: Burnout research is limited in Saudi Arabia, particularly among radiographers. Burnout among Saudi radiographers may have a negative impact on the services offered. Objective: This study aims to assess the burnout among radiographers in Medina hospitals. Materials and Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study included 104 radiographers from government and private Medina hospitals. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel, which consists of 22 questions, was used to measure the burnout level. The data were evaluated descriptively using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 25), and independent t-tests and analysis of variance were applied to assess group differences and linear regression analysis to evaluate associations between the burnout level and sociodemographic variables (ie sex, age, experience, and department). Results: The emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) scores were moderate, while the personal accomplishment (PA) score was high, with total scores of 23.53 (9.32), 7.29 (5.95), and 29.70 (1.35), respectively. The DP score was influenced by the participants' experience. Specifically, an experience of 1-5 years yielded a substantially higher burnout score than did an experience of >10 years (p>0.05). Conversely, sex, age, and department did not affect the DP score (p<0.05). Similarly, the EE and PA scores were not influenced by sex, age, experience, or department (p<0.05). Conclusion: Burnout is prevalent among radiographers in Medina hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The EE and DP scores are moderate, while the PA score is high, indicating a suitable work environment. Policymakers should take the required steps to identify the variables contributing to employee burnout and enhance the work environment.

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 image rejection in digital radiography.

X-ray imaging uses ionizing radiation to generate diagnostic images. However, unnecessary radiation exposure can pose potential risks, including an increased risk of malignancy. One factor contributing to unnecessary radiation exposure is the rejection and retaking of X-ray images, which can lead to higher patient and occupational radiation doses. This study aimed to assess digital radiography rejection rates, causes of recurrence, and the most commonly repeated types of examinations. A cross-sectional online-based survey was conducted in 2022, involving 62 randomly selected radiographers in the UAE. The survey was distributed to radiographers through the head of radiology departments in various hospitals. Hospitals agreed to participate in the survey without disclosing their name. The data collected was analyzed using Excel. The study showed that 71% of radiographers working in the UAE hold a bachelor's degree. The examinations most frequently repeated were related to anatomical areas, with the spine accounting for 37.7% and facial bone for 19.7% of cases. The factors influencing repetition were primarily related to positioning (48.4%) and artifacts (21%), with the motion being the main cause of artifacts, including voluntary and involuntary movements. This study concluded that the most prevalent cause of repeating and retaking images is positioning, followed by artifacts. Furthermore, night shifts and workload impact radiographer performance, increasing the likelihood of picture retakes. The average number of rejects and repeated images has been reduced as new generations and modern equipment have been introduced, which also helped decrease the numbers.

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.

Impact of extended pre-scan written instructions on motion artifacts during head magnetic resonance imaging.

This study aimed to assess the effect of extending pre-scan written instructions to patients undergoing head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations on motion artifacts. A controlled study was conducted in King Fahad Hospital at the Department of Radiology. A total of 100 patients were involved: 50 received only routine oral hospital instructions (control group), and another 50 received pre-scan extended written instructions besides routine oral hospital instructions (intervention group). The head MRI images were assessed regarding motion artifacts. Informed consent was obtained from all patients included in the study. The incidence of motion artifacts was significantly less in the intervention group than in the control group, 10% and 58%, respectively (p-value=0.001). The motion artifacts decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group. Extending written information before an MRI scan could significantly reduce motion artifacts and improve image quality.

Factors Influencing Undergraduate Students' Preference of Health Sciences Specialties.

Background: It is necessary to determine what motivates students to pursue a particular specialty of their choosing to maintain a balance of medical practitioners from various disciplines. Objective: The study aims to assess factors influencing undergraduate students of Applied Medical Sciences in choosing a specialty or discipline. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year students of the faculty of applied medical sciences at Taibah University. One hundred and twenty-five participants were enrolled in the study. The students were asked to respond and complete the designed 9-item questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (BM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) was used to analyze the data. A comparison between departments of the faculty was carried out. Results: 125 participants were satisfied with their current faculty or discipline. They stated that medicine was the first choice (43.2%), followed by clinical nutrition (11.2%), dentistry (8%), diagnostic radiology (7.2%), and clinical laboratory (5.6%). The most important factors that affect students' choice of discipline were helping patients and the community (32.8%), personal desire (30.4%), personal desire and helping patients (22.4%), and job opportunity and prestige (9.5%), with gender variations. Family enforcement and finances were less frequent factors affecting students' specialty preferences. Conclusion: The human medicine specialization was the first choice for most female and male undergraduate students who entered the faculty of applied medical sciences. Furthermore, the most influencing factor affecting students' choices was helping patients and the community.

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.

Medical Radiation Safety and COVID-19 Knowledge and Awareness among UAE Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Radiologic examinations are valuable tools in the evaluation of COVID-19. A patient-centered care approach encourages patient involvement in decision-making related to their health management. Therefore, patients should have basic knowledge about their disease and its evaluation tools. Therefore, the purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate the public level of knowledge and awareness regarding COVID-19 and radiation safety in the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted using an online questionnaire (Google platform). The data collection instrument contained close-ended questions in both Arabic and English. The questions aimed to collect demographic information and to measure the level of knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 and radiation safety. The questionnaire was distributed online using different social media platforms. Results: A total of 1548 participants have completed the questionnaire; 84% were females and 16% were males. The participants' average age was 24 years. Sixty-eight percent of the participants showed a high level of awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic, while most of the participants (51%) only showed a low level in the radiation safety awareness section. Factors such as Emirates of residence and passively receiving awareness information were shown to predict knowledge and awareness level. Conclusions: The UAE public was found to have a high level of knowledge and awareness about the COVID-19 disease. However, the same could not be said about radiation safety. More effort should be put towards raising the public's knowledge and awareness about the risk of radiation in order to enable them to participate actively in decisions regarding the radiologic management of their disease.

Khat Chewing Effect on the International Normalized Ratio in Patients with Mechanical Heart Valves under Warfarin Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Khat is a plant that contains the alkaloids cathine and cathinone which have some amphetamine-like properties. It is cultivated and it's leaves chewed for their euphoric effect. This study intended to elucidate the effect of khat chewing on blood coagulation by using the International Normalized Ratio (INR) value as a calculable benchmark. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, 146 patients with Mechanical Heart Valves (MHV) were assessed for two consecutive visits at one-month intervals. For each visit, the date of surgery, the patient's compliance, the dose of warfarin and the INR reading were assessed by the researcher. RESULTS: Out of 146 patients with MHV, the mean age was 33.72±12.43 years (range, 14-65 years); 82 (56.2%) were female and 64 (43.8%) were male. The results revealed that the mean of absolute INR readings was lower in khat-chewers than non-chewers by average 0.2 on the first and second visits (p = 0.038 and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Khat chewing has a significant coagulant effect. There was a significant decrease in the value of INR for khat chewers patients with MHV when compared to non-khat chewers.

Predictive value of ultrasound imaging in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions taking biopsy results as the standard.

BACKGROUND: Breast lesions (BLs) are abnormal swellings within the breast. The importance lies in need to exclude breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: Due to the role of ultrasound (US) imaging in evaluating of BLs, this study was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of US imaging for differentiating benign from malignant BLs and to assess the need of biopsy in BLs. METHOD: A retrospective review of diagnostic results of 134 patients with BLs. All patients underwent breast US imaging and US-guided biopsy for cytology or histopathology. The results of both were compared. RESULTS: Out of 134 patients were included in this study, the mean age was 38.45 ± 15.82 years (range, 18-90 years), and all patients were female. BLs were benign in 99 cases (73.9%) and malignant in 35 cases (26.1%). Among 98 patients with BLs diagnosed benign with US, 96.9% were confirmed benign with biopsy results and only 3.1% were malignant. The overall sensitivity of US imaging for discriminating of benign BLs was 95.95%, with a specificity of 91.42%, and positive predictive value of 96.94%. The results revealed strong compatibility between diagnoses by US imaging and biopsy results (P < 0.001), the measure of agreement kappa = 0.866, and the Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.866. CONCLUSION: US imaging is a highly valuable imaging method in differentiating benign from malignant BLs. It usually predicts the benign nature of BLs with excellent diagnostic accuracy. US-guided fine-needle aspiration and core-needle biopsies are not necessary in most cases of BLs.

Investigating Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Marketed Ready-to-Eat Small Crickets (Acheta domesticus).

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the occurrence of transferable genes conferring resistance to tetracyclines, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB ), vancomycin, beta-lactams, and aminoglycosides in 32 samples from eight batches of ready-to-eat crickets (Acheta domesticus) commercialized by four European Union producers (two batches per producer). Bacterial DNA extracted directly from the insects was subjected to optimized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR assays for the qualitative detection of 12 selected antibiotic resistance (AR) genes. Microbial enumeration demonstrated high counts of spore-forming bacteria and total mesophilic aerobes. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between different producers and insect batches. Regarding AR genes, a high prevalence of genes conferring resistance to tetracycline [tet(M), tet(O), tet(K), tet(S)] was observed, together with the presence of genes conferring resistance to erythromycin [erm(B), erm(C)], beta-lactams (blaZ and mecA), and aminoglycosides [aac(6')-Ie aph(2")-Ia]. We performed a principal component analysis based on the AR gene frequencies that differentiated samples of batch 1 from those of batch 2. This analysis provided evidence for a difference between the producer from France and all the other producers among the batch 1 samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Overall, an intrabatch variation was seen in the transferable resistances among different producers. This evidence, coupled with the observed differences in the viable counts, suggests a low standardization of the production processes. Hence, a prudent use of antimicrobials during the rearing of insects destined for human consumption is strongly recommended, as well as a need for a full standardization of production technologies.

The Readiness For Interprofessional Education (IPE) In The School Setting Among The Internship Students Of Applied Medical Sciences At Taibah University.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to assess the readiness of Interprofessional Education (IPE) in the school setting among the Internship Students of Applied Medical Sciences at Taibah University. METHODS: This study utilized a survey targeting internship students of Applied Medical Sciences; departments Diagnostic Radiologic Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, and Clinical Nutrition, at Taibah University. We used a modified Readiness for Inter-professional Learning Scale (RIPLS) survey to collect the data of this study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. RESULTS: A 100 surveys distributed, 40 were returned. Most of the internship students (88.7%) agreed that IPE could make them more collaborated and can enhance teamwork skill to them. A total of 36.25% of the internship student agreed, and 50.01% disagree about the negative professional identity of the IPE. 86.66% of the internship student agreed, and 50.01% disagree about the positive professional identity of the IPE. They responded that sharing learning with other health care professionals will help them to communicate better with patients and other professionals and to improve practice. 65.84% of the internship student agreed, and 23.75% disagreed about the impact of IPE on their role and responsibility. The difference between the internship student at the end level of the internship and internship student at the beginning level of the internship, towards the positive thinking about other healthcare professionals was 0.015. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that there was a readiness of IPE in the school setting among the Internship Students Students of Applied Medical Sciences at Taibah University. The majority of the internship student agreed that IPE could make them more collaborated and can enhance teamwork skill to them. There was a significant difference between the internship student at the end level of the internship and internship student at the beginning level of the internship, towards the positive thinking about other healthcare professionals.

Doppler sonographic assessment of carotid arteries in Sudanese stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking were considered to be associated with several public health problems. OBJECTIVE: the study aims to explore the hemodynamic of carotid arteries in association with hypertension, diabetes, and smoking in Sudanese stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a quantitative descriptive study, fifty patients with stroke were scanned by B-mode and Doppler sonography. Carotid arteries were investigated with a 7-MHz linear transducer by a standard carotid sonography protocol. RESULTS: The average Doppler resistive index (RI) was 0.71 ± 0.084 and intima-media thickness was 1.39 ± 0.78 mm. The end diastolic velocities (EDVs) and peak systolic velocities (PSVs) of common carotid arteries were significantly changed in smokers and hypertensive (P < 0.05). The elevation of RI in right and left CCAs were significantly correlated with smokers (P = 0.017 and 0.010 respectively). Hemorrhagic stroke was most prevalent in hypertensive rather than diabetic and smokers. The carotid hemodynamics changed significantly in hypertensive and smokers more than diabetics. CONCLUSION: EDV and PSV were significantly correlated with hypertension and tobacco smoking rather than diabetes. Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking have an association with stroke and hand significant effect on carotid artery hemodynamic and atherosclerotic disease. The Doppler RIs were significantly correlated with smokers. Patients with risk factors of stroke should be scanned with Doppler sonography as early as possible.