جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه "radiographer" در نشریات گروه "پزشکی"

Radiographers are highly skilled imaging technology users who work directly with COVID-19 cases.

This study aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the working conditions and efficiency of radiographers and their level of satisfaction with personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, and facilities during the COVID-19 epidemic.

A prospective observational study was conducted among radiographers registered in the radiology and CT scan imaging centers of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and some private centers between June and October 2022. A questionnaire with 28 multiple-choice questions was used to collect information. The questionnaire consisted of two sections; the first part contained demographic information. In the second part, participants answered questions about changes in working conditions, such as changes in stress level, work efficiency, the need for more rest, imaging time, use of equipment, and personal protective equipment at work, based on their experiences and observations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data analysis was performed using Statistical Product Service Solutions (SPSS) software, version 26.0, with statistical significance assumed at a P-value < 0.05.

One hundred and fifty radiographers completed the questionnaire. The mean age and mean work experience of participants were 33.2 ± 8.3 years and 9 ± 7.2 years, respectively. The results showed that most participants of both sexes agreed that they needed more rest (P-value < 0.05); their work efficiency had not decreased significantly during the COVID-19 epidemic. The stress level of participants had significantly increased compared to before the epidemic. There were significant differences between government-owned hospitals and private radiology centers regarding the presence of a COVID-19-related protocol, the compulsory use of masks, the existence of decontamination instructions, the type of air decontamination, the contact with imaging equipment manufacturers, the timing of decontamination, and the type of decontamination applied to the imaging equipment (P-value < 0.05).

This study demonstrated that the reduction in work efficiency among radiographers was not significant compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the study's results, radiographers' working conditions underwent numerous adjustments over the course of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Mobile radiography is requested and performed using a mobile X-ray machine when a patient’s condition makes the transfer to the radiology department unsafe. In the Zambian healthcare system, these patients are admitted to special care units, such as intensive care units (ICU), resuscitation units of the accident and emergency (A& E) departments, COVID-19 isolation wards, and special care baby units (SCBU). These are critically ill patients who require constant monitoring and nursing care. Moving these patients to radiology departments for medical imaging due to non-availability of or non-functional mobile X-ray machines can negatively affect their condition, treatment, and nursing care. Chest X-rays are the most performed radiological examinations during mobile radiography. However, radiographers face challenges in providing mobile radiography services to critically ill patients due to limited space, life-support equipment attached to patients, infection control measures, limitations of mobile Xray machines, and radiation protection. The biggest opportunity identified during this review is the increased demand of patients requiring mobile radiography services. However, an insufficient number of mobile X-ray machines, lack of equipment and maintenance, inadequate radiation protection devices, and a critical shortage of radiologists to report on portable X-rays were the main challenges identified affecting mobile radiography services. Recommendations are made to improve the delivery of mobile radiography services in Zambia.

Access to healthcare technologies like computed tomography (CT) is essential for diagnosing and treating both non-communicable diseases and communicable diseases, especially in low-resource settings. Unfortunately, there is limited information available globally, and even less so in Zimbabwe, regarding local imaging resources. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to review the current state of CT services in Zimbabwe, to identify the opportunities and challenges presented. The review reveals that access to CT services in Zimbabwe is hindered by various factors. These include the high costs associated with purchasing and maintaining CT scanners, a shortage of certified manpower, a lack of postgraduate CT courses, inadequate information, and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure, insufficient research, an inconsistent supply of consumables, and a lack of integrated support for CT services. To address these issues, a multifaceted approach will be necessary. This could involve investing in postgraduate training programs and recognizing the skills acquired by radiographers. Additionally, investing in equipment and ICT infrastructure will be crucial in supporting CT services. Providing ongoing education for radiographers and radiologists will help ensure a sufficient number of trained personnel. Establishing centers of reference, allocating funds for the purchase ofnew equipment, and maintaining existing CT equipment can significantly improve the availability of these services.

Postgraduate education assists in meeting the specialisation of radiographers in different imaging modalities, thereby improving the quality of imaging services. Studies have been conducted on the motivating factors influencing radiographers to undertake postgraduate studies. However, there has been no published review to draw together the findings of such studies. This would provide evidence for future postgraduate course planning, delivery, and evaluation. The aim of this study was to systematically review the primary research studies on the motivating factors influencing radiographers to undertake postgraduate studies.

A qualitative systematic review was conducted guided by the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. The literature search was conducted from April to September 2022 in two databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect, as well as other sources. Studies were assessed for quality, data was extracted and re-interpreted using framework analysis.

Seven studies were identified and included in this review. This review found that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors influenced radiographers to undertake postgraduate studies. Four motivating intrinsic factors were identified: personal desire for new knowledge and managerial positions, pre-requisite for the doctorate programme, and job and professional satisfaction. On the other hand, four motivating extrinsic factors were also identified: availability and flexibility of postgraduate courses, specialisation, continuous professional development, and promotion and remuneration.

The overall results of this review show that radiographers were motivated to pursue postgraduate studies. The findings will assist educators to understand the personal drivers for radiographers wanting to embark on post-graduate studies.

Similar to most imaging procedures, the high quality of images is a key factor in ensuring that mammography delivers its full potential benefits. Radiographers play a central role in the acquisition of high-quality images, as they are responsible for not only breast positioning and compression, but also quality control and patient care.

To identify the challenges and difficulties of radiographers in daily practice and to determine the main components of mammography that require further training and education.

An online survey was conducted to collect data regarding the radiographers’ demographic data, institution profile, image assessment tools, mammography challenges, quality control, and continuing professional development.

A total of 73 radiographers participated in this study, the majority of whom were full-time radiographers with a bachelor’s degree in radiography. Less than half of the participants had been a mammographer for more than five years. The American College of Radiology (ACR) criteria were the most familiar image quality assessment tool (52%). The most frequently used scale to evaluate image quality was posterior breast tissue visualization on both craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) views, followed by the pectoral muscle volume determined on the MLO view. Overall, positioning, artifacts, and compression were the main reasons for repeat mammography. Also, wheelchair-bound patients, overweight patients, and breast compression were the greatest challenges of patient positioning.

This pilot study highlighted the importance of developing in-house training courses for radiographers, which focus on patient positioning, image quality assessment, and patient-centered needs to improve practice standards. However, further studies on a larger sample size are needed to validate the present results.

 Since adolescents do not frequently refer to pediatricians or even general practitioners, hospitals and clinical standard systems are not designed to meet their needs. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify adolescent’s views and feelings of the X-ray imaging process, suggest some age-appropriate facilities to respond to their needs to have a good experience of attending to radiology centers and appropriate interactions between middle adolescents and radiographers.

In this cross-sectional study, 60 adolescents (30 girls and 30 boys) from four secondary schools participated in the study. Their opinions and feelings regarding the waiting room, the imaging room, and their interactions with the radiographers were collected using the completed questionnaire. The questionnaire has been created by the Irish researcher (Davis), and its validity and reliability have been examined.

The major complaints of adolescents (36.7%) was the lack of comfortable seats in the waiting room. They preferred watching TV in the waiting room to play music. None of the adolescent girls were nervous in the X-ray room, and 13.3% of boys stated that they were nervous. Twenty-two of the adolescents said the radiographer was quiet. 10% of girls stated that the radiographer was quite rough in dealing with them; however, none of the boys made such a statement.

Theresults showed that adolescents do not receive optimal care during X-ray imaging. It was suggested that age-appropriate educational posters to be installed on the wall, and television programs to be displayed in the radiology departments, as well as training courses on how to interact with adolescents for radiographers.

Radiography involves the use of different imaging modalities for diagnostic and treatment of diseases and injuries. The undergraduate qualification in radiography focuses on general radiography and basic aspects of different diagnostic imaging modalities. At postgraduate level, the concentration is on training radiographers in specialised fields of diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasonography (US), image interpretation and reporting, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine (NM), mammography, and radiation protection. The aim of this article is, therefore, to review the readiness of Zambia in establishing postgraduate training in specialised diagnostic imaging by examining its strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, threats and existing postgraduate courses provided abroad. The article recognises that the establishment of postgraduate courses would enable radiographers to specialise and obtain advanced knowledge and skills in areas of healthcare need and their interest. This would prepare them in taking up new, advanced roles and expanding their scope of practice. It is anticipated that this would improve the quality of diagnostic imaging services in Zambia

Occupational burnout is a type of prolonged response and has been regarded to be associated with chronic job-related stress and decreased job performance. In this study, we aimed to determine the level of occupational burnout and its related factors among medical imaging workers across Bandar Abbas hospitals in Iran. A questionnaire-based study was conducted among employees of medical imaging departments across Bandar Abbas hospitals, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to determine the level of burnout. A total of 150 complete responses were analyzed using independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation in SPSS version 20. Medical imaging employees had a moderate mean score for all the subscales of burnout, namely emotional exhaustion (EE) (20.7 ± 9.57), depersonalization (DP) (5.46 ± 5) and personal accomplishment (PA) (33.77 ± 7.97), compared to MBI norms. There were significant differences in each of the MBI subscales based on age, work experience, marital status and type of work environment. Also, the correlation between EE and DP scores and gender, DP and PA scores and academic degree and EE and PA scores and work load were significant (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant interrelationship between DP and workload, PA and gender EE and academic degree. Demographic and occupational variables can affect the level of burnout. Occupational burnout, on the other hand, may influence the quality of care. Therefore, modifying the work status and respecting the experience and expertise of radiographers can reduce occupational burnout among medical imaging employees.