Establishing national diagnostic reference levels in fluoroscopy and fluoroscopically guided interventions in Ireland and comparing these with national diagnostic reference levels in Europe and internationally.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to establish national Irish diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for a clinically representative and comprehensive list of clinical indications, anatomical regions, and common procedures for fluoroscopy and fluoroscopically guided interventions and compare these, where possible, to other DRLs established at a national level.

Method: A list of clinical indications, anatomical regions and common procedures was established. A national database of service providers was used to identify all medical radiological facilities providing fluoroscopy and fluoroscopically guided intervention services.

Establishing national diagnostic reference levels in radiography, mammography, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry services in Ireland and comparing these with European diagnostic reference levels.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to establish national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) in Ireland and compare these to existing European DRLs where available. This work surveyed all radiological facilities providing radiography, mammography, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) services in Ireland.

Methods: A list of common procedures and clinical tasks was established.

What do radiation therapists know about health literacy and the strategies to improve it for patients? A qualitative study.

Purpose: Low health literacy leads to poor knowledge and understanding of health information, delayed diagnosis, lower use of preventative medicines/health services, increased likelihood of hospitalisation, and increased patient anxiety. Effective communication facilitates patient understanding and helps patients to manage the adverse side-effects associated with treatment. It is not yet known whether radiation therapists in Ireland tailor their communication to match a patient's health literacy level.

A Literature Review of Patient Education: Is IT Time to Move Forward?

Introduction: Patient education is fundamental to high-quality care, enabling patient empowerment and improving outcomes and quality of life. Therefore, identifying the most effective education method should take precedence. Modern society relies heavily on technology and the Internet.

Appearance matters: the frame and focus of health messages influences beliefs about skin cancer.

Objectives: This study sought to ascertain whether the health message 'framing effect', which has been observed for several diseases, occurs for messages concerning the consequences of skin cancer for one's appearance or one's health. Specifically, the effect of the frame and focus of health messages on intentions to perform skin protection behaviours and the perceived threat of skin cancer was investigated.

Design: Consistent with previous research and to avoid carry-over effects, a two-factor, between-groups (message frame: gain vs.

The relationship between prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs and intentions to attend PSA screening among at-risk men.

Objective: To examine the level of knowledge regarding prostate cancer and screening, to investigate prostate cancer illness perceptions, and to test the efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) for understanding intentions to attend prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, when offered by a doctor or self-initiated.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty three men completed the PROCASE knowledge scale, the Revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire and a questionnaire developed to assess attitudes, subjective norms and perceived control over intentions to attend for PSA testing.

Results: Participants had a high level of knowledge and accurate perceptions of prostate cancer.

A national survey of telemedicine in the Republic of Ireland.

We conducted a national survey of hospitals in the Republic of Ireland to assess their use of telemedicine. Information was sought from 187 hospitals and replies were received from 157, a response rate of 84%. Activity was identified in a total of 40 hospitals (25% of the respondents).