Introduction: The Non-Surgical Oncology (NSO) workforce, like many healthcare specialities, faces critical personnel shortages. With a 21 % deficit in consultant oncologists anticipated by 2028, alongside vacancies in key roles such as therapeutic radiographers. To address these challenges, innovative workforce strategies are necessary, including the diversification of skills and the creation of advanced career pathways for healthcare professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadiography (Lond)
January 2025
Introduction: Burnout and low job satisfaction in healthcare can impact patient safety and staff retention. This study aims to gain information on the factors influencing burnout and job satisfaction among radiographers in the UK, Ireland and internationally. This can inform strategies for improving the workforce supply and demand imbalance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly implemented in medical imaging practice, however, its impact on radiographers practice is not well studied. The aim of this study was to explore the perceived impact of AI on radiographers' activities and profession in Switzerland.
Methods: A survey conducted in the UK, translated into French and German, was disseminated through professional bodies and social media.
Objectives: This narrative review aims to describe opportunities to embed sustainability as a core concept in radiography education by exploring teaching strategies to increase awareness about sustainability and its importance in radiography; encourage a culture of personal responsibility and investigate effective teaching methods to engage students in exploring sustainable radiography practices. Climate change can adversely affect the health of populations worldwide. Medical imaging and radiotherapy services are recognised as substantial contributors to the ecological impact of the healthcare industry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Adapting radiotherapy services with workforce innovation using skills-mix or task-shifting optimises resources, supporting current and future demands. Advanced practitioners (APs) work at a different level of practice (beyond initial registration) across four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research. There is limited cross-country research on the advanced therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists (TR/RTTs), particularly in Europe.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Clinical practice can be a challenging experience for some healthcare students. The quality of the clinical experience can have a profound effect on the overall student learning experience in clinical practice and attrition. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of an optimal clinical practice experience by radiography and sonography students and qualified clinical staff.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Advanced Practice (AP) roles in Radiotherapy (RT) over time are variable, often locally developed and not underpinned by professional standards which leads to conceptual and practical gaps. This study aimed to assess AP roles amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) and identify educational gaps for this level across Europe.
Methods: An anonymous online survey was designed, validated, and distributed across Europe.
Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have already started impacting clinical practice across various settings worldwide, including the radiography profession. This study is aimed at exploring a world-wide view on AI technologies in relation to knowledge, perceptions, and expectations of radiography professionals.
Methods: An online survey (hosted on Qualtrics) on key AI concepts was open to radiography professionals worldwide (August 1st to December 31st 2020).
Objectives: Maternity health professionals (MHPs) caring for women may witness or be involved in traumatic births. This can be associated with MHPs experiencing secondary traumatic stress (STS) or probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may impact MHPs emotionally and physically. The aims of this review were therefore to determine: (i) the prevalence of STS and PTSD in maternity health professionals; and (ii) the impact of witnessing birth trauma on maternity health professionals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Advances in Radiotherapy (RT) technology and increase of complexity in cancer care have enabled the implementation of new treatment techniques. Subsequently, a greater level of autonomy, responsibility, and accountability in the practice of Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) has led to Advanced Practice (AP) roles. The published evidence of this role is scattered with confusing terminology and divergence regarding the perception of whether a specific role represents AP internationally.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol
March 2021
Introduction: Therapeutic radiographers play a vital and changing role in the delivery of radiotherapy services treating patients with cancer. Advanced Practitioners (AP) and Consultant Practitioners (CP) in radiotherapy have developed advanced clinical skills and specialisms, enhancing the ability of the profession to offer a greater depth of cancer services and ease pressure elsewhere in the system.The aim of this study was to define the opportunity and potential for Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) roles in oncology services.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To investigate the profiles of advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) in the allied health professions (AHPs) and their skills, attributes, experiences and involvement in new models of care.
Methods: A 2 phase, cross sectional, mixed method survey of AHP ACPs across London was conducted in 2018-2019. Online questionnaires were completed by 127 AHP ACPs and then semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 AHP ACPs.