Patient-centered care measures through the eyes of South African Radiographers and patients: A survey approach.

Background: Worldwide there has been a shift in the ideology within healthcare systems that focuses on 'people' rather than the 'patients'. A patient should not only be perceived by their condition but rather viewed holistically as a person. Within a South African (SA) context, the constitution has been amended to state that all South African citizens have the right to healthcare that is caring, free from harm, and effective.

Paediatric upper limb trauma: what can we do to support a change in radiographic referral practice?

Referral practices for upper limb trauma radiography in children vary. Knowledge of the influence of mechanism of injury and functional anatomy on trauma presentation can reduce unnecessary referrals for multiple concurrent radiographic examinations.

Using Personalized Avatars as an Adjunct to an Adult Weight Loss Management Program: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.

Background: Obesity is a global public health concern. Interventions rely predominantly on managing dietary intake and increasing physical activity; however, sustained adherence to behavioral regimens is often poor. The lack of sustained motivation, self-efficacy, and poor adherence to behavioral regimens are recognized barriers to successful weight loss.

Renal stone detection using a low kilo-voltage paediatric CT protocol - a porcine phantom study.

Introduction: Reducing tube voltage is an effective dose saving method in computed tomography (CT) assuming tube current is not concurrently increased. Recent innovations in scanner technology now enable CT tube voltage reduction to 70 kV thereby increasing opportunities for dose reduction in paediatric patients, but it is unclear if the increased image noise associated with 70 kV impacts on ability to visualise renal stones accurately. The purpose was to assess detectability of nephrolithiasis using a bespoke paediatric phantom and low kV, non-contrast CT and to assess inter-observer agreement.

Can Dual Energy CT with Fast kV-Switching Determine Renal Stone Composition Accurately?

Rationale And Objectives: To determine whether a single source computed tomography (CT) system utilizing fast kV switching and low dose settings can characterize (diameter and chemical composition) renal stones accurately when compared infrared spectroscopy.

Materials And Methods: The chemical composition of 15 renal stones was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The stones were inserted into a porcine kidney and placed within a water tank for CT scanning using both fast kV switching dual energy and standard protocols.

Artificial intelligence in diagnostic imaging: impact on the radiography profession.

The arrival of artificially intelligent systems into the domain of medical imaging has focused attention and sparked much debate on the role and responsibilities of the radiologist. However, discussion about the impact of such technology on the radiographer role is lacking. This paper discusses the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the radiography profession by assessing current workflow and cross-mapping potential areas of AI automation such as procedure planning, image acquisition and processing.

An Evaluation of Image Acquisition Techniques, Radiographic Practice, and Technical Quality in Neonatal Chest Radiography.

Background: Neonatal chest radiography is a frequently performed diagnostic examination, particularly in preterm infants where anatomical and/or biochemical immaturity impacts on respiratory function. However, the quality of neonatal radiographic images has been criticized internationally and a prevailing concern has been that radiographers (radiologic technologists) fail to appreciate the unique nature of neonatal and infant anatomical proportions. The aim of this study was to undertake a retrospective evaluation of neonatal chest radiography image acquisition techniques against key technical criteria.

The use of history to identify anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the acute trauma setting: the 'LIMP index'.

Objective: To identify the injury history features reported by patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and determine whether history may be used to identify patients requiring follow-up appointments from acute trauma services.

Methods: Multisite cross-sectional service evaluation using a survey questionnaire design conducted in the UK. The four injury history features investigated were 'leg giving way at the time of injury', 'inability to continue activity immediately following injury', 'marked effusion' and 'pop (heard or felt) at the time of injury'(LIMP).

Does radiography advanced practice improve patient outcomes and health service quality? A systematic review.

Objective: To investigate the impact of radiographer advanced practice on patient outcomes and health service quality.

Methods: Using the World Health Organization definition of quality, this review followed the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidance for undertaking reviews in healthcare. A range of databases were searched using a defined search strategy.

Assessing Sagittal Rotation on Posteroanterior Chest Radiographs: The Effect of Body Morphology on Radiographic Appearances.

Background: Chest radiography is one of the most commonly performed radiographic examinations worldwide. Routinely acquired in the erect posteroanterior (PA) position, a chest radiograph displays substantial amounts of medical information when accurate patient positioning is achieved. However, a rotated PA chest radiograph has reduced diagnostic quality and appearances may mask or mimic chest pathology.

Paper 2: Conceptualizing the Transition from Advanced to Consultant Practitioner: Role Clarity, Self-perception, and Adjustment.

Background: Interest in the influence of emotions on behaviour, decision making, and leadership has accelerated over the last decade. Despite this, the influence of emotions on career advancement and behaviour within radiography and radiotherapy has largely been ignored. The ease of transition from one work role to another within an individual's career may be influenced by previous experience, personal characteristics, organizational environment, culture, and the nature of the role itself.

Paper 1: Conceptualizing the Transition from Advanced to Consultant Practitioner: Career Promotion or Significant Life Event?

Background: The diversification of nursing and allied health profession (AHP) roles has seen unprecedented growth as organizations have sought to optimize limited health care resources. Within the UK health care system, the nonmedical consultant is viewed as the pinnacle of the clinical career ladder. Yet, nearly 15 years after their introduction, recruitment to these positions remains slow.

Estimating the effect of nonresponse bias in a survey of hospital organizations.

Nonresponse bias in survey research can result in misleading or inaccurate findings and assessment of nonresponse bias is advocated to determine response sample representativeness. Four methods of assessing nonresponse bias (analysis of known characteristics of a population, subsampling of nonresponders, wave analysis, and linear extrapolation) were applied to the results of a postal survey of U.K.

Emergency department image interpretation accuracy: The influence of immediate reporting by radiology.

Introduction: The misinterpretation of radiographs is recognised as a key source of emergency department (ED) errors, regardless of clinician profession. This article compares ENP and medical staff accuracy in the interpretation of musculoskeletal trauma X-rays between immediate and delayed radiology reporting pathways.

Method: The data for this study was drawn from a larger pragmatic randomized controlled trial of immediate reporting.

Accident and emergency radiography: A comparison of radiographer commenting and 'red dotting'.

Purpose: The College of Radiographers has called for 'Red Dot' schemes to evolve and has recommended the development of radiographer commenting. The implementation of a radiographer comment scheme assumes that radiographers previously participating in 'red dot' schemes have been accurately recognising radiographic abnormalities and are, therefore, able to comment upon, and describe, such radiographic appearances. Research evidence to support such an assumption is sparse.

Requesting and interpreting trauma radiographs: a role extension for accident & emergency nurses.

Government supported expansion of the nursing role within Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments in the United Kingdom (UK) has begun to break down the traditional barriers to professional practice. Today, many nurses working within A&E departments are both requesting and interpreting radiographic examinations as part of their normal working practice. However, role expansion does not occur without increased responsibility.

Interpreting trauma radiographs.

Background: Many accident and emergency clinicians regard the radiographic image as an extension of the clinical examination, as a provisional diagnosis, based on clinical signs and symptoms, can be confirmed or refuted by inspection of X-rays. However, the value of radiography in this context is not determined by the actual presence of trauma or pathology on the radiograph, but is dependent on the ability of a clinician to identify any trauma or pathology present. Traditionally, the responsibility for interpreting radiographic images within the accident and emergency environment in the United Kingdom (UK) has been with medical clinicians.

The child's right to consent to x-ray and imaging investigations: issues of restraint and immobilization from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Children's rights in healthcare are determined by law but strongly influenced by Piagetian theory and the related personal attitudes of healthcare professionals. While a greater priority has been given to children's rights through the United Nations Convention and in the United Kingdom by means of particular legislation, this does not necessarily translate into child-centred practice. The restraint and immobilization of children are significant issues for health professionals who care for children.