Radiographers' perspectives on interactional processes during older persons diagnostic medical imaging encounters: a qualitative study.

Background: Within a diagnostic medical imaging context, an interaction encompasses communication, physical contact and emotional support. These intricacies are an integral part in achieving a successful medical imaging outcome. An increasing ageing population presents unique challenges and leads to a higher demand for medical imaging services.

Radiographers' perceptions on the quality of managing general radiographic paediatric examinations through the use of a reflective tool.

Introduction: Paediatric patients are a vulnerable population that require additional care by healthcare professionals. Quality managing these examinations ensures that effective and quality care is provided to individual patients, whilst encouraging consistency within the medical imaging department. This study explored radiographers' perspectives on quality management strategies of general radiographic paediatric examinations using a paediatric imaging reflective checklist.

Roles and Responsibilities in the Transition to Working Independently: A Qualitative Study of Recently Graduated Radiographers' Perspectives in Australia.

Background: Medical imaging features along the entire healthcare continuum and is known for its fast-paced technological evolution which enables it to keep up with the demands of the healthcare system to provide safe, quality services. The overall efficacy and efficiency of the system depends on practitioners' clinical competence, achieved through professional education and continuous professional development. Recent studies have revealed concerns regarding newly graduated healthcare professionals' preparedness and readiness to handle actual practice.

Australian graduate radiographers' perspectives and experiences of work readiness.

Introduction: Graduate radiographers entering their qualified positions need to orientate and familiarise themselves with a rapidly changing work environment to deliver a high standard of diagnostic imaging services. During this transitional phase, these newcomers also strive to meet self-expectations and workplace expectations. This study was performed to understand the work readiness perspectives and initial experiences of graduate radiographers on beginning their newly qualified roles.

Collimation and cropping in diagnostic radiography: How concerned are we?

This editorial examines current collimation and cropping practices in general radiography. We critically reflect on whether we are concerned by the practice of collimation creep amongst radiographers. Discussions around policy, evidence‐based practice and potential hypocrisies are outlined in this editorial piece.

An exploratory study on recently qualified Australian radiographers' expectations and experiences in emergency and trauma imaging.

Background: Radiographers provide imaging services in multiple healthcare settings, including emergency and trauma. Transitioning to a qualified radiographer is already a time of vulnerability - with the increasing complexity and unpredictable nature of the emergency and trauma healthcare environment, recently qualified radiographers may experience this environment distinct from other service delivery areas.

Objective: The study explored recently qualified radiographers' expectations and experiences in emergency and trauma imaging service delivery.

Creating person-al space for unspoken voices during diagnostic medical imaging examinations: a qualitative study.

Background: There is emerging interest in person-centred care within a short-lived yet complex medical imaging encounter. This study explored this event from the viewpoint of patients referred for an imaging examination, with a focus on the person and their person-al space.

Methods: We used convenience sampling to conduct semi-structured interviews with 21 patients in a private medical imaging practice in Australia.

Students' and Qualified Radiographers' Perspectives and Understanding on Occupational Dose Monitoring and Prevention Strategies.

Effective implementation and ongoing monitoring of occupational radiation safety and protection is key for radiographers as prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation can increase the risk of long-term ill health effects. It is important that radiographers are aware of what is required of them to remain within the permitted dose limit. Topics and training on dose monitoring and occupational practice safety and practice are embedded in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and ongoing as part of continuous professional development.

'It is just part of life': patient perspectives and experiences of diagnostic imaging referrals.

Referral for a medical imaging examination is an integral part of the medical consultation; however, not much is known about patients' experience of these referrals. The life-world experiences and perspectives of patients as 'persons' referred for an imaging investigation are explored through the lens of person-centred and whole-person care. Individual interviews were conducted with 22 patients referred for an imaging investigation.

The emerging radiographer's transient community service professional career pathway.

Background: Post-qualification regulatory 12-month community service (CS) was implemented in South Africa in 1998. Since the implementation, studies have been conducted in various disciplines to measure the impact on health services and on the affected professionals, but these did not include radiography professionals.

Aim: This study explored the expectations and experiences of student radiographers in respect of the CS concept as an integral transitional career pathway from the student radiographer role to that of a provisional practitioner in transit to acquiring registered radiographer practitioner status.

"What Will I Be Doing There Among So Many Women?": Perceptions on Male Support in Prevention of Mother to Child Services in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Participation of males in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs remains a challenge despite the implementation of guidelines. The study aimed at exploring male involvement in the PMTCT program at a primary health facility in Lilongwe, Malawi. Focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews were used to collect data from health care workers, men, and women who were attending PMTCT services.

Exploration of gynaecological cancer high dose-rate brachytherapy treatment: a pilot study.

Introduction: Performing brachytherapy on female patients with gynaecological cancer is a sensitive procedure, apart from it being an intricate investigation. The aim of this study: establishing gynaecological cancer patients' expectations, experiences and understandings of the high dose-rate brachytherapy treatment procedure. Exploring these patients' life-worlds provides further insights into improving their preparedness and experiences.

Knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of tuberculosis among community members in Ntcheu district, Malawi.

Introduction: The global burden of tuberculosis (TB) remains significantly high, with overreliance on biomedical interventions and inadequate exploration of the socioeconomic and cultural context of the infected population. A desired reduction in disease burden can be enhanced through a broader theoretical understanding of people's health beliefs and concerns about TB. In this qualitative study, we explore the knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of community members and people diagnosed with TB toward TB in Ntcheu district, Malawi.

Distributed decision making in action: diagnostic imaging investigations within the bigger picture.

Introduction: Decision making in the health care system - specifically with regard to diagnostic imaging investigations - occurs at multiple levels. Professional role players from various backgrounds are involved in making these decisions, from the point of referral to the outcomes of the imaging investigation. The aim of this study was to map the decision-making processes and pathways involved when patients are referred for diagnostic imaging investigations and to explore distributed decision-making events at the points of contact with patients within a health care system.

Factors affecting effective communication about sexual and reproductive health issues between parents and adolescents in zandspruit informal settlement, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Introduction: Communication between parents and adolescents regarding sexuality is an important reproductive health topic. Due to complexities associated with adolescent's physiological development, sexuality should be dealt with holistically. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting effective communication between parents and adolescents concerning sexual and reproductive health issues.

A randomized-controlled study of a modified technique to reduce extracardiac activity in myocardial perfusion imaging.

Introduction: Various techniques have been used in an attempt to reduce interfering extracardiac activity in myocardial perfusion imaging with inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a combined intervention on the frequency and intensity of interfering extracardiac activity.

Methods: Patients (n=230) routinely referred for a 2-day stress-rest myocardial perfusion examination were assigned randomly to one of two groups.

Comparison of rubidium-82 myocardial blood flow quantification with coronary calcium score for evaluation of coronary artery stenosis.

Introduction: PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is the standard technique for assessing myocardial function, but provides limited information on the anatomy of cardiac structures whereas the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score provides information on calcified plaque burden and the anatomical structure of the coronary arteries. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF), CAC, and coronary artery disease (CAD). This work also aims to determine whether MBF quantification and/or CAC add value to relative MPI, and aid in the reclassification of patients with CAD.

Healthcare provider and patient perspectives on diagnostic imaging investigations.

Background: Much has been written about the patient-centred approach in doctor-patient consultations. Little is known about interactions and communication processes regarding healthcare providers' and patients' perspectives on expectations and experiences of diagnostic imaging investigations within the medical encounter. Patients journey through the health system from the point of referral to the imaging investigation itself and then to the post-imaging consultation.

Multiprovider and Patient Perspectives on Conveying Diagnostic Imaging Investigation Results in a South African Public Health Care System.

Introduction: This study explored interaction processes in conveying messages about the results of diagnostic imaging investigations in a public hospital complex in South Africa from the perspective of health care providers and patients.

Methods: The study was part of a qualitative inquiry into the interaction and communication processes relating to diagnostic imaging investigations in the public health care system. Data collection included individual interviews with 24 patients and 62 health care providers (ie, medical practitioners, specialists, radiologists, registrars, radiographers, and nurses).