Local diagnostic reference levels for routine chest X-ray examinations at a public sector hospital in central South Africa.

Background: Dose optimisation is a radiation protection guideline recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for adherence to the 'as low as reasonably achievable' (ALARA) principle. Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are used to optimise patients' radiation protection for diagnostic and interventional procedures and are particularly useful for frequently performed examinations such as chest X-rays.

Aim: To establish the local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) for routine chest X-rays.

International Student Mobility in Radiography: Agency and Experience.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate student exchange experiences to gain insight into what students perceived as benefits, challenges, and overall areas for improvement that might inform and enhance future exchange projects.

Methods: A general program evaluation survey, adapted to address the project objectives, was conducted. Eight students from Norway, Canada, and South Africa participating in an international exchange project completed an online survey.

Neonatal chest image quality addressed through training to enhance radiographer awareness.

Background: Diagnostic radiographers working in the neonatal intensive care unit primarily aim to produce an image of optimal quality using optimal exposure techniques without repeating exposures, to keep neonatal radiation dose to a minimum.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether radiographers were producing optimal quality chest images and, if not, whether additional training could contribute to reaching this goal in the Free State Province of South Africa.

Methods: Neonatal chest image quality was determined in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by using a checklist based on and compiled from published guidelines to evaluate the quality of 450 randomly-selected images.

Allied health program outcomes assessment in an international context: an example from South Africa.

This paper describes a process of outcomes assessment for a health sciences program in radiology at a university in South Africa. Its purpose is to demonstrate that while the process of outcomes assessment is universal, and can be used both nationally and internationally as long as underlying premises are met, assessment needs to be considered within the context of a country's unique culture, society and history.