Facilitators for and barriers to radiography research in public healthcare in Nordic countries.

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that the future of diagnostic imaging relies on engagement in research and evidence-based practice. This implies a role transition from a clinical radiographer to a clinical radiographer-researcher. Clinical radiographers' stimuli for engaging in research in Nordic countries are unknown. This study aimed to address this gap. METHODS: Cross-sectional data collection via an online questionnaire on facilitators for and barriers to participation in radiography research was carried out among 507 clinical radiographers in public healthcare in the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. RESULTS: Support from colleagues (odds ratio [OR] 2.62) and other professionals (OR 2.74), and self-esteem in research skills (OR ≥ 2.21), were facilitators for radiography research. Lack of knowledge and skills to conduct research (OR 2.48) was revealed to hinder radiographers' participation in research. The absence of a radiography research culture in the workplace explained non-participation in research (OR 1.75). CONCLUSION: This study revealed significant factors for clinical radiographers' participation in research. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A strategy for establishing a radiography research culture in healthcare is proposed that is novel for the context. Management support for knowledge development and activity leading to inter-professional research projects across knowledge fields, provision of a radiography research lead and acknowledgement of radiography research among colleagues signify the establishment of the culture. These prerequisites might provide a paradigm change towards not only the symbiosis of a clinical radiographer and an autonomous researcher but also a partner who adds radiography research to evidence-based practice in diagnostic imaging.

Radiographers' involvement in research activities and opinions on radiography research: A Nordic survey.

INTRODUCTION: Radiographers' engagement in research is important for the development of evidence-based practice in radiography; however, radiographers' interest in research has rarely been reported. This study sought to ascertain radiographers' opinions about radiography research and investigate their involvement in research activities in four Nordic countries. METHODS: This study was conducted in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. A study-specific questionnaire was developed in English and adapted to each language of the study sample, and the content and face validity of the adaptations were evaluated. An online tool was used to collect the study data. The questionnaire link was distributed in September 2019 to radiographers working in clinical settings in four Nordic countries (n = 4572). RESULTS: The overall response rate was 14% (n = 662/4572). Research involvement was reported by 33% of the respondents; data collection was the main type of contribution. Radiographers who contributed to research were more likely to be male, have longer work experience, hold a master's or doctoral degree, work as managers and be employed in university hospitals. Nearly all agreed that radiography research is needed to promote the radiography profession and provide the evidence base for radiographic practice. However, only 14% were aware of the current research evidence regarding their professional field of specialisation, and 19% indicated that they developed current practices based on research evidence. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that, although radiographers had positive attitudes towards radiography research, their involvement in research and utilisation of research evidence in practice is low. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Strategies should be developed to improve knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and stimulate radiographers' engagement in research.

Patient doses from screen-film and full-field digital mammography in a population-based screening programme.

The aim of this study was to compare mean glandular dose (MGD) in all full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and screen film mammography (SFM) systems used in a national mammography screening program. MGD from 31 screening units (7 FFDM and 24 SFM), based on an average of 50 women at each screening unit, representing 12 X-ray models (6 FFDM and 6 SFM) from five different manufacturers were calculated. The MGD was significantly lower for FFDM compared with SFM (craniocaudal): 1.19 versus 1.27 mGy, respectively, mediolateral oblique: 1.33 versus 1.45 mGy, respectively), but not all of the FFDM units provided lower doses than the SFM units. Comparing FFDMs, the photon counting scanning-slit technology provides significantly lower MGDs than direct and indirect conversion digital technology. The choice of target/filter combination influences the MGD, and has to be optimised with regard to breast thickness.

Palliative intubation in malignant stricture of the oesophagus and cardia.

One-hundred patients treated with oesophageal intubation for stricture-forming inoperable oesophago-gastric malignancies during the years 1972 to 1983 were analyzed. Fifteen tubes were endoscopically positioned, the rest by thoracotomy or laparotomy. Seven patients died from causes related to the intubation, the causes of death being perforation (2), mediastinitis (3) or aortic erosion (2). Mean survival-time was three months (range one day to 14 months). Nineteen of the most deteriorated patients died within two weeks. Eighty-seven percent of the patients experienced relief of dysphagia. Thus the intended palliation was satisfactory and the results therefore support oesophageal intubation as an alternative to be considered in the treatment of malignancies of the oesophagus and cardia. However, deteriorated patients with extremely short life expectancy might not benefit from the procedure.